CHEMISTRY

General Information

Chemistry is about the molecules all around us! It allows us to study and understand how matter changes and behaves in the way it does. Everything from frying an egg to how soap makes you feel clean can be explained by chemistry.

Chemistry is an important qualification if you intend to enter a career in pharmaceuticals, engineering, mathematics, science and some medical sciences. Furthermore, it is a recommended course for study for other careers, including law, military service, accountancy and management.

Courses Offered

National 3, 4 and 5 Chemistry

The National 3, 4 and 5 courses have three main units:

Chemical Changes
Nature’s Chemistry
Chemistry in Society

There is no external exam at National 3 and 4 level, although there will be written tests throughout the course, a scientific investigation and a short research task. The course is graded PASS or FAIL.

At National 5 students will sit an external exam lasting 2 hours 30 minutes (worth 100 marks) and complete an externally assessed assignment worth 25 marks.

Higher Chemistry

There are four units in the course:

Chemical Changes and Structure
Nature’s Chemistry
Chemistry in Society
Researching Chemistry

There are two final exams set by the SQA – a multiple choice paper lasting 40 minutes (worth 25 marks) and a long answer paper lasting 2 hours 20 minutes (worth 95 marks). There is also an externally assessed assignment worth 25 marks.

Advanced Higher Chemistry

There are 3 units in the course:

Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry and instrumental Analysis
Researching Chemistry

Each of the units has a written assessment based on knowledge and understanding that must be passed. There is a final exam set by the SQA lasting 2 hours 30 minutes (worth 100 marks) and an externally assessed research project worth 30 marks.