Year 12 chemistry

Chemistry is involved in everything we do, from growing and cooking food, launching rockets, providing us with remedies when we get sick and designing new materials for an America’s Cup yacht, just to name a few. Chemistry is the study of matter, its properties, how and why substances combine or separate to form other substances, and how substances interact with energy. A knowledge of chemistry is essential in many careers such as engineering, medicine, physiotherapy, food technology, pharmaceuticals and environmental science. Studying chemistry will provide you with an analytical approach to considering the world around you.

The aims of the course are to:

• promote an awareness of the importance of chemistry in everyday life. 

• familiarise students with general chemical principles

•  investigate the properties of some common groups of chemicals and identify patterns in these properties

• familiarise students with practical techniques and to link such work to theory

In Level 2 Chemistry you will:

• learn how chemistry is linked to many aspects of everyday life

• do a combination of theory and practical work to develop your understanding in:

  1. structure and bonding in substances and energy changes that occur when these substances react

  2. oxidation and reduction chemistry

  3. organic chemistry, this is carbon chemistry and is highly relevant to the science of human health

  4. chemical reactivity - we look at the speed of chemical reactions and equilibrium reactions

• you will develop skills in analytical chemistry and carry out an investigation

You will need to have demonstrated a solid performance in Year 11 Science. If you have scored 'Developing - At' or 'Proficient - Low' or better, on the WC Learning Progression Framework, you will handle Year 12 Chemistry, providing you commit to a sound work ethic.

Class assessments include two internally assessed standards and practices for the other three externally assessed standards. Practical work and demonstrations are included at all stages of the course.

NZQA Chemistry Subject Resources

http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/qualifications-standards/qualifications/ncea/subjects/chemistry/levels/

School Policy for NCEA Assessment

You should be aware of the school procedures for NCEA assessment.  They can be found on the school website at this link. There you will find answers to frequently asked questions about how NCEA works as well as guidance about how to apply for extensions, reconsiderations or the process for withdrawing from a standard.