VCE Chemistry
Units 3 and 4 2008–2011
VCAA and CEA Implementation Workshops
Term 2 2007
Purpose of the workshop
● Highlight differences between the reaccredited
study design and the current study design with
focus on Units 3 and 4
● Introduce the assessment requirements for
Units 3 and 4
● Provide some time for discussion
● Provide some sample teaching and learning
programs for Units 3 and 4
● Seek feedback as to future professional
development and support
Study design: structural changes
● A set of key skills applicable to all units
● Two areas of study in each Units 1–4
● Newer and fewer assessment tasks
● Glossary
● Two year implementation
− Units 1 and 2 in 2007
− Units 3 and 4 in 2008
Study design: content changes
● Key concepts ‘spiral’ through each unit
● Choice in Unit 4 area of study
● ‘The Periodic Table’ introduces the study of
VCE Chemistry in Unit 1
● ‘Rationale’, ‘Aims’ and ‘Introduction’ for each
unit and area of study have been updated
● More detail on safety and laboratory time
provided
● More detailed ‘Advice for teachers’ section
Study design: summary of new content
Unit 3 - additional techniques of analysis,
biochemical fuels, forensic analysis,
design new medicines
Unit 4 - waste management and health and
safety, choice of industrial chemical,
sustainability of energy sources
Assessment
● Number of examinations
− one for Unit 3 mid-year
− one for Unit 4 end-of-year
● Contributions to study scores
− 34% School-assessed Coursework
(17% each for Units 3 and 4)
− 33% mid-year examination
− 33% end-of-year examination
● Time allocated for each exam
− One and a half hours
plus 15 minutes reading time
Key skills (Study design page 12)
● Apply to each unit
● Developed, used and applied in a variety of
contexts
● Demonstrate skills at a progressively higher
level as the complexity of knowledge increases
● Examinable for Units 3 and 4
Structure
Unit 1
The big ideas of
chemistry
1. The Periodic Table
2. Materials
Unit 3
Chemical pathways
1. Chemical analysis
2. Organic chemical
pathways
Unit 2
Environmental
Chemistry
1. Water
2. The atmosphere
Unit 4
Chemistry at work
1. Industrial chemistry
2. Supplying and using
energy
Unit 3: Chemical pathways
Area of study 1
Chemical analysis
Area of Study 2
Organic chemical
pathways
Outcome 1
Evaluate the suitability
of techniques and
instruments used in
chemical analyses
Outcome 2
Identify and explain the
role of functional groups
in organic reactions and
construct reaction
pathways using organic
molecules
Unit 3: School-assessed Coursework
Three assessment tasks
An extended experimental investigation that can
be drawn from either area of study 1 or area of
study 2
AND
From the area of study NOT used for the
extended experimental investigation
Unit 3: School-assessed Coursework (cont.)
A written report of one practical activity
AND
One task selected from the following:
● a response to stimulus material in written, oral
or visual format
● an analysis of first or second-hand data using
structured questions
● a report in written, oral, multimedia or visual
format related to chemical pathways
Activity 1
Selection of assessment tasks for Unit 3
Unit 4: Chemistry at work
Area of study 1
Industrial chemistry
Area of study 2
Supplying and using
energy
Outcome
Analyse the factors
that determine the
optimum conditions
used in the industrial
production of the
selected chemical
Outcome
Analyse chemical and
energy transformations
occurring in chemical
reactions
Unit 4: School-assessed Coursework
Assessment tasks
A summary report including annotations of three
practical activities drawn from either
area of study 1 and area of study 2
AND
From the area of study NOT used for the
summary report
Unit 4: School-assessed Coursework (cont.)
A written report of one practical activity
AND
One task selected from the following:
● a response to stimulus material in written, oral
or visual format
● an analysis of first or second-hand data using
structured questions
● a report in written, oral, multimedia or visual
format related to chemistry at work
Activity 2
Selection of assessment tasks for Unit 4
VCE Chemistry Units 3 and 4 2008–2011
Break
VCE Assessment Handbook Chemistry
● Section 1 Administrative Procedures
● Section 2 Chemistry Assessment Advice
● Section 3 Assessment Support Materials and
Further Resources
Section 2: Chemistry Assessment Advice
● Outcome statement
(for each area of study in each unit)
● Task
− Description
− Designing the assessment task
− Resources and scheduling
− Performance descriptors
● Information about examinations
The Performance Descriptors
● Guide for expected standards when setting and
marking assessment tasks
● 5 mark ranges provided
● Each range is accompanied by a list of typical
performance
● Each mark range allows for discrimination
Activity 3
Using Performance Descriptors
Exams
Exam 1 (June)
Exam 2 (Nov)
● Multiple choice
● Multiple choice
● Short answer
● Short answer
● Data booklet
● Data booklet
● Equal weighting of
each area of study
● Equal weighting of
each area of study
Support for implementation
● Chemistry – a pathway to Emerging Sciences
in Victoria, CD-ROM
Department of Innovation, Industry and
Regional Development (DIIRD)
● Ongoing professional development program
such as RACI (VIC), VICS, STAV, CEA, GTAC,
Ecolink (Bacchus Marsh), Victorian Science
Space Centre
Examples of Useful websites
● www.science.org.au/nova
● www.bio21.com.au/
● www.thescientist.com/
● www.csiro.au/helix/sciencemail/index.html
● www.abc.net.au/science
Errata
● Page 21 Outcome 1 dot point 6 inclusion after
techniques ‘and interpretation’ (refer March
2007 VCAA Bulletin)
● Page 21 Outcome 2 dot point 2 spelling
‘esterification’
● Page 33 ‘bases’ (not basis)
● Page 60 ‘colorimetrically’ (not calorimetrically)
For further information
● VCAA website
Units 1 and 2
www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/chemistry/
chemistry1-2.html
Units 3 and 4
www.vcaa.vic.edu.au/vce/studies/chemistry/
chemindex.html
For further information (cont.)
● VCAA Bulletin
March 2006 Supplement 2 – VCE studies
accredited 1 January 2007: Summary of
changes
● Contact
Ann Osman
Curriculum Manager, Science
osman.ann.e@edumail.vic.gov.au