National 5 Chemistry

National 4 and 5 – Chemistry

Through learning in chemistry, learners develop their interest in and understanding of the world in an engaging and enjoyable way. They engage in a wide range of investigative tasks which, while fostering an enjoyment of chemistry and learning, allow them to develop important skills to become creative, inventive and enterprising, in a world where the skills and knowledge developed in chemistry are needed across all sectors of society.

The Course allows learners to understand and investigate the world. It develops learners’ ability to think analytically, creatively and independently, and to make reasoned evaluations. The Course will allow opportunities for learners to acquire and apply knowledge to evaluate environmental and scientific issues, assess risk, and make informed decisions. This leads to the learner developing an informed and ethical view of topical issues. Learners will be able to develop their communication, collaborative working and leadership skills, and be able to apply critical thinking in new and unfamiliar contexts to solve problems. The main aims of this Course are to:

develop scientific and analytical thinking skills in a chemistry context
develop problem solving skills in a chemistry context
develop an understanding of chemistry’s role in scientific issues
acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of chemistry concepts
develop understanding of how chemical products are formed
develop understanding of relevant applications of chemistry in society

The Course is practical and develops learners’ skills through the study of the applications of chemistry in an everyday context. By using a skills-based approach to developing knowledge and understanding of some basic chemistry concepts, learners will become scientifically literate citizens, able to evaluate the science-based claims which they will come across in a rapidly developing society. Throughout this course, learners will develop relevant skills for learning, for use in everyday life and in employment. Due to the inter-disciplinary nature of the sciences, learners will benefit from studying chemistry along with the other science subjects, as this enhances their skills, knowledge and understanding.

Course Progression

The course will provide opportunities for progression in the senior phase of the school to study the following subjects:

National 4 – Chemistry
National 5 – Chemistry
Higher – Chemistry
Advanced Higher - Chemistry

Career Opportunities

https://www.myworldofwork.co.uk/search/sitewide/Chemistry?group=job_profile#searchresults

Assessment

Exam	Assignment
100 marks (80% of final grade)	20 marks (20% of final grade)

Subject: Chemistry

National 3 SCQF Level 3

National 4 SCQF Level 4

National 5 SCQF Level 5

The course has three mandatory Units:

Unit 1:

Chemical Changes and

Structure

Unit 2:

Nature’s Chemistry

Unit 3:

Chemistry in Society

The course has four mandatory Units including an added value unit:

Unit 1:

Chemical Changes and

Structure

Unit 2:

Nature’s Chemistry

Unit 3:

Chemistry in Society

Added Value Unit:

Chemistry Assignment

The course has three

Units and Course

Assessment

Unit 1:

Chemical Changes and

Structure

Unit 2:

Nature’s Chemistry

Unit 3:

Chemistry in Society

NATIONAL 5 CHEMISTRY

Rationale

The purpose of the Course is to develop learners’ curiosity, interest and enthusiasm for chemistry in a range of contexts. The key skills of scientific inquiry and investigation are integrated and developed throughout the Course. The relevance of chemistry is highlighted by the study of the applications of chemistry in everyday contexts. This will enable learners to become scientifically literate citizens, able to review the science-based claims they will meet

Recommended Entry: While entry is at the discretion of the centre, pupils would normally have obtained a National 4 in Chemistry, or National 5 in Biology or Physics.

Units - Title and Brief Description

Chemical Changes and Structure (National 5)

In this Unit, learners will develop scientific skills and knowledge of the chemical reactions in our world. Through practical experience, learners will investigate average rates of reaction and the chemistry of neutralisation reactions. Focusing on these reactions, learners will work towards the concept of balanced chemical equations. Learners will explore the mole concept, formulae and reaction quantities. The connection between bonding and chemical properties of materials is investigated

Nature’s Chemistry (National 5)

The Earth has a rich supply of natural resources which are used by all of us. In this Unit, learners will investigate the physical and chemical properties of cycloalkanes, branched chain alkanes and alkenes, and straight chain alcohols and carboxylic acids. They will explore their chemical reactions and their uses in everyday consumer products. Learners will investigate the comparison of energy from different fuels

Chemistry in Society (National 5)

In this Unit, learners will develop skills and carry out practical investigations related to the chemistry of materials. Learners will focus on the chemistry of metals and their bonding, reactions and uses. The connection between bonding in plastics, their physical properties and their uses is investigated. Learners will investigate the chemical reactions and processes used to manufacture fertilisers. They will research the use and effect of different types of nuclear of radiation. Learners will investigate chemical analysis techniques used for monitoring the environment

Progression: Successful completion of this course can lead to Higher Chemistry

Assessment:

Internal Assessment is based on:

End of unit tests where pupils have up to 2 attempts are allowed to pass this.

External Assessment is based on:

*a question paper, which requires learners to demonstrate aspects of breadth, challenge and application; learners will apply breadth and depth of skills, knowledge and understanding from across the Course to answer questions in chemistry (100 Marks)

*an assignment, which requires learners to demonstrate aspects of challenge and application; learners will apply skills of scientific inquiry, using related knowledge, to carry out a meaningful and appropriately challenging task in chemistry and communicate findings (20 marks scaled to 25 marks)