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Chemistry Higher
CONTENT
Unit 1 : Energy Matters This unit covers the sub-topics of reaction
rates, energy
changes, patterns in the Periodic Table, bonding and the mole. Varied topics
from the unusual properties of water that enable life to exist to the important
ideas surrounding the quantity and ease with which new chemicals can be formed
are covered here. One welcome development (for some students) is a cutback
in the amount of calculation and its replacement by more descriptive chemistry.
Unit 2 : The World of Carbon This unit covers the sub-topics of
fuels, naming compounds, reactions and uses of carbon compounds,
polymers and natural products. The basic chemistry of compounds that
occur in living things (fats and proteins) is covered.
Unit 3 : Chemical Reactions This unit covers the sub-topics of chemical
industry, Hess’s
Law, equilibrium, acids and bases, redox reactions and nuclear chemistry. Most
chemical reactions, both in living and non-living things, take place in solution!
This unit gives more understanding of the rules that govern these.
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
Each sub-topic is assessed on completion to build up competence
for the end of unit test. There is also an assessment of one practical
technique (along the lines of Standard Grade).
EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT
There is an examination at the end of the course, comprising multi-choice
questions and short written answers.
HOMEWORK
About 90 minutes per week to go over notes, answer questions and
prepare for tests.
VALUE OF COURSE
The course has links with Higher Physics and Higher Biology (which
has a biochemistry component). Higher Chemistry is essential for
any medical, dental or veterinary course. It is extremely desirable
for any biological course eg biochemistry, microbiology, anatomy,
botany, biophysics, genetics, zoology and marine biology. It is
also necessary for agriculture, is taught in most first year university
engineering courses and is needed by those wishing to study pharmacy,
dietetics, marine chemistry, pharmacology, forensic science, physiotherapy,
pathology, food science, geology, textile science and environmental
science. It also carries weight as proof of numerical and analytical
skills in fields like accountancy, management studies and computing.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Students should have a Credit award in Standard
Grade Chemistry with a minimum grade 3 in the Knowledge and Understanding
element.
Useful Web Links
SQA Past Papers and Revision Papers etc
Higher Revision Notes
Higher Glossary
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Chemistry Advanced
Higher
CONTENT
We will be using on-line help from the ‘Scholar’ programme
from Heriot-Watt University together with their prepared student
booklets as an
aid to teaching the course.
There are four units : Electronic Structures and the Periodic
Table:
electromagnetic spectrum; electron configuration; spectroscopy; covalent
bonding; shapes of molecules; ionic lattices;
superconductors and semiconductors; oxides, chlorides and hydrides; transition
metals and their complexes. There is some overlap with physics in this unit.
Principles
of Chemical Reactions: stoichiometry; chemical equilibria – reactions,
different phases, ionic (acid/base, indicators, buffers); thermochemistry – Hess’ Law;
bond enthalpies; Born Haber cycle; reaction feasibility – entropy and
free energy; electrochemistry; kinetics. There are useful features in this
unit for the study of biological sciences at university.
Organic Chemistry: reaction
types; reaction mechanisms; physical properties; hydrocarbons and
halogenoalkanes; alcohols and ethers; aldehydes, ketones
and carboxylic acids; amines; aromatics; stereoisomerism; structural analysis;
infra-red spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and X-ray crystallography;
drugs and medicines. This unit is obviously extremely useful for the study
of any biological science at university.
Short Practical Investigation:
examples include – preparation and properties
of aspirin; biodegradation; crystal growth; electroplating; hair; ion
exchange; phosphates in washing powders.
INTERNAL ASSESSMENT
Each unit is assessed on completion. There is
also a pass/fail assessment of one of the twelve prescribed practical
activities.
EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT
Examination at the end of the course (80%) and
a practical investigation mark (20%).
HOMEWORK
About 120 minutes per week to go over notes, answer questions,
write up practical work and prepare for tests.
VALUE OF COURSE
The course gives a thorough grounding for students
who either need chemistry to help them with first-year university
courses in chemistry,
environmental
sciences, medicine, veterinary science and biological
sciences or wish simply to take the subject a stage further.
ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS
Students should have at least a grade C in Higher Chemistry.
Useful Web Links
SQA Past Papers and Revision Papers etc
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