MENNTASKÓLINN Í REYKJAVÍK
Reykjavik Higher Secondary
Grammar School
Reykjavik Junior College
Students matriculate either from Ancient Languages I or II, Modern Languages I or II,
Physics Line I or II or Natural Sciences Line I or II. (See table on page 3).
On pages 2 and 3 is a general introduction to the School and it is accompanied by subjects
covered by the student who:
Line
Month Year
will matriculate from the
matriculated from the
Students name:
Birthday dd/mm/yy
Personal Id Number
Reykjavík ?th 2010
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MENNTASKÓLINN Í REYKJAVÍK (Reykjavík Higher Secondary Grammar School);
Reykjavík Junior College) is a four-year college, comparable with a British 6th form College
or the last two years of High School plus the first two years of College in the U.S.A., attended
by age-groups 16-20.
The Icelandic school system is overwhelmingly run by the State where the greatest part of
the curriculum is prescribed by law and by regulations issued by the Ministry of Education.
At the end of each course (after 2, 3 or 4 years of study in the subject) students take
comprehensive 2-3-hour written examinations, plus orals in the languages and maths.
Examinations are controlled external examiners.
The school-year is divided into two 14,5 week terms of teaching in, followed by 3-6 weeks
of examinations. In the first three years there are, therefore, two exam-marks and teachers
mark, the average of which gives the final year-mark in each subject. The average of those
has to be 5.00 or higher for the student to move into the next year. In addition the lowest
passing mark in each subject is 4,0.
Grades are given on a scale of 1 - 10 prescribed by the Ministry of Education. Halves
appear as marks are given by teacher and the external examiner appointed by the ministry.
Our certificates have two columns. The first column is the term mark given by the teacher
on the basis of the student’s work in class, the second column is the examination mark given
by the teacher and the external examiner jointly. We then calculate the average of each
column and then the average of averages which is the final mark.
Marks 9 - 10 are Prae Ceteris or Excellent, marks 7,25 - 8,99 are a First or Good, marks
6,00 - 7,24 are a Second or Fair, and marks 5,00 - 5,99 are a Third or Poor.
On the final exams the marks are given by the examining teacher and the external examiner
of above. In final exams marks in two subjects lower than 4,0 in final exams are allowed. A
student with three subjects lower than 4,0 can resist the exam in one of them and if he obtains
a mark of 4,0 or higher will graduate on condition that he had an average mark of 5,0 out of
all subjects.
On completion of the four-year course students are issued with “Stúdentspróf” (Certificate
of Matriculation) which qualifies them for entrance to the University of Iceland and has been
accepted by all universities in Europe, America and wherever our students have applied for
admission throughout the 168 year history of this school.
No national statistics on the outcome of the stúdentspróf exist. A quick survey of the
outcome in this school during the last ten years reveals that 2-3% of the graduating class
obtain final marks in the highest category, about 35% get a First, about 45% get a Second and
17-18% get a Third. This is a rough estimate but can be used as a guideline.
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ICELANDIC
4 year course (5 + 4 + 4 + 4 periods weekly).
Extensive grounding in grammar, etymology, literature old and new, and composition.
Native language
1st year: Fall term:
1. Sagnorð – fallorð (curriculum by the teachers on Verbs, Nouns, Adjectives and
Pronouns) read and discussed in exercises.
2. Réttritun (Right Spelling) by Ragnheiður Briem read and discussed in exercises.
3. Hefðbundin setningafræði (Classical Syntax) by Ragnheiður Briem read and
discussed in exercises.
4. Íslenska eitt (Icelandic One, with various texts and exercises) complied by
Ragnhildur Richter, Sigríður Stefánsdóttir and Steingrímur Þórðarson read and
discussed in written papers.
5. Handbók um ritun og frágang (Handbook on Writing) by Ingibjörg Axelsdóttir and
Þórunn Blöndal.
6. Students write an essay at home on selected subjects by the teachers and the students.
Spring term:
1. Íslenska eitt (Icelandic One, with various texts and exercises) complied by
Ragnhildur Richer, Sigríður Stefánsdóttir and Steingrímur Þórðarson read and
discussed in written papers.
2. Hefðbundin setningafræði (Classical Syntax) by Ragnheiður Briem read and
discussed in exercises.
3. Home-reading: Ýmislegt um risafurur og tímann (A new Icelandic novel) by Jón
Kalmann Stefánsson. Text read thoroughly and discussed. Students write essays on
the text.
5. Handbók um ritun og frágang (Handbook on Writing) by Ingibjörg Axelsdóttir and
Þórunn Blöndal.
6. Students write an essay at home on a selected subjects by the teachers and the
students.
nd
2 year: Fall term:
1. Fjölrit handa 4. bekk (comtempory Icelandic phonetics. Curriculum by the teachers)
read and discussed in exercises.
2. Íslensk málsaga (History of the Icelandic Language) by Sölvi Sveinsson read and
discussed in exercises.
2. Set book for home-reading: Íslendinga þættir (13 short stories from
the 13th and 14th centuries). Students give lectures on the text.
3. Handbók um ritun og frágang (Handbook on Writing) by Ingibjörg Axelsdóttir and
Þórunn Blöndal.
4. Students write an essay at home on selected subjects by the teachers and the students.
Spring term:
1. Bókastoð (History of Icelandic Literature 900-1550 (prose)) by Kristján Eiríksson
and Sigurborg Hilmarsdóttir.
2. Home-reading: Guðirnir okkar gömul og Snorra-Edda (Our Ancient Gods by Sölvi
Sveinsson and Snorri Sturluson' s Edda). Students give lectures on Nordic
mythology.
3. Home-reading: Egils Saga Skalla-Grímssonar. All the prose of this Icelandic Saga
from the 13th century. Text read thoroughly and discussed in class.
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4. Handbók um ritun og frágang (Handbook on Writing) by Ingibjörg Axelsdóttir and
Þórunn Blöndal.
5. Students write an essay at home on the customs and origins of personal names in
their family.
3rd year: Fall term:
1. Ljóðamál (A book on Poetry and Style) by Bragi Halldórsson and Knútur S.
Hafsteinsson read and discussed in exercises.
2. Ormurinn langi (Anthology of Icelandic Literature 900–1900 complied by Bragi
Halldórsson, Knútur S. Hafsteinsson and Ólafur Oddsson). A selection of poetry: All
of Sonatorrek and 8 of the stanzas of Egils saga Skalla-Grímssonar discussed in
class.
3. Bókastoð (History of Icelandic Literature 900-1550 (poetry)) by Kristján Eiríksson
and Sigurborg Hilmarsdóttir.
4. Njáls saga (Story of Burnt Njal). All text of this Icelandic Saga from the 13th century
read thoroughly and discussed. Students give lectures on the text.
5. Gott mál (The Use of Good Language in Writing) by Ólafur Oddsson. Read and
discussed in exercises.
6. Handbók um ritun og frágang (Handbook on Writing) by Ingibjörg Axelsdóttir and
Þórunn Blöndal.
7. Students write an essay at home on a selected subjects by the teachers and the
students.
Spring term:
1. Bókastoð (History of Icelandic Literature 900-1550 (poetry)) by Kristján Eiríksson
and Sigurborg Hilmarsdóttir.
2. Frá lærdómsöld til raunsæis (History of Icelandic Literature 1550 – 1900, 1. chapter
read on the period 1550 – 1750) by Heimir Pálsson.
3. Ormurinn langi (Anthology of Icelandic Literature 900–1900) complied by Bragi
Halldórsson, Knútur S. Hafsteinsson and Ólafur Oddsson and additional explanatory
notes. A selection of poetry and prose 900 – 1750: Various texts of different literary
genres from the medieval period up to the 18th century; among many texts the Eddic
poems Völuspá, Hávamál, Helgakviða Hundingsbana II, hymns by Hallgrímur
Pétursson and many other texts from the period. All texts read thoroughly and
discussed in class.
4. Handbók um ritun og frágang (Handbook on Writing) by Ingibjörg Axelsdóttir and
Þórunn Blöndal.
5. Students write a long critical essay at home on a new Icelandic novel that they have
self selected.
th
4 year: Fall term:
1. Frá lærdómsöld til raunsæis (History of Icelandic Literature 1550 – 1900, 2., 3., 4.
and 5. chapters read on the period 1750 – 1900) by Heimir Pálsson.
2. Ormurinn langi (Anthology of Icelandic Literature 900–1900) complied by Bragi
Halldórsson, Knútur S. Hafsteinsson and Ólafur Oddsson and additional explanatory
notes. A selection of poetry and prose 1750 – 1900: Various texts by distinguised
Icelandic authors and poets from the period. All texts read thoroughly and discussed
in class. Students give lectures on a selected author or a poet from the period.
3. Handbók um ritun og frágang (Handbook on Writing) by Ingibjörg Axelsdóttir and
Þórunn Blöndal.
4. Students write an essay at home on a selected subject by the teachers and the
students.
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1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Spring term:
Galdra-Loftur (A play) by Jóhann Sigurjónsson. Text read thoroughly and discussed.
Students give lectures on the text.
Saga, ljóð og líf (History of Icelandic Literature 1900 – 2000) by Heimir Pálsson.
Ljóðahefti (curriculum complied by the teachers with selected poetry by distinguied
Icelandic poets from the 20th century). Students give lectures on selected poems.
Home-reading: Íslandsklukkan (Iceland’s Clock) by Nobel Prizewinner Halldór
Laxness. The whole work read and discussed. Students read papers on the work and
give lectures on the novel.
Home-reading: Stjörnurnar í Konstantínópel (Anthology of Icelandic short stories
from the 20th century) complied by Halla Kjartansdóttir, read and discussed. Students
give lectures on selected stories.
Handbók um ritun og frágang (Handbook on Writing) by Ingibjörg Axelsdóttir and
Þórunn Blöndal.
General and Historical Linguistics
1 year course (3 periods weekly).
An overview and introduction to General Linguistics and Historical Linguistics.
4th year: Fall term:
1. An Introduction to Language (Seventh editon 2003) by Victoria Fromkin, Robert
Rodman & Nina Hyams. 1. chapter (What is Language), 2. chapter (Brain and
Language), 3. chapter (Morphology: The Words og Language), 4. chapter (Syntax:
The Sentence Patters of Language), 5. chapter (The Meaning of Language), 6.
chapter (Phonetics: The Sound og Language), 7. chapter (Phonology: The Sound
Patterns of Language), 8. chapter (Language Acquisition). Text read and discussed.
Students work at home 10 short exercises and papers on a selected subject by the
teacher.
2. Additional texts:
3. Íslensk orðhlutafræði (Icelandic Morphology, Forth edition 1990) by Prof. Eiríkur
Rögnvaldsson (pages 11 – 40).
4. Íslensk setningafræði (Icelandic Syntax, Sixth edition 1999) by Prof. Höskuldur
Þráinsson (pages 81 –93).
5. Íslensk hljóðkerfisfræði (Icelandic Phonology, 1993) by Prof. Eiríkur Rögnvaldsson
(pages 25 – 33).
Spring term:
6. Historical Linguistics – An Introduction (Second edition 2004) by Lyle Campbell. 1.
chapter (Introduction), 2. chapter (Sound Change), 3. chapter (Borrowing), 4. chapter
(Analogical Change), 5. chapter (The Comparative Method and Linguistics).
Students work at home 10 short exercises and papers on a selected subject by the
teacher.
7. Additional texts and examples from Icelandic manuscripts, Nordic runes, overview
over the Indo-European Languages among other examples.
World Literture (a self selected course by the students)
1 year course (3 periods weekly).
Several works from world literature in Icelandic translations read and discussed. The selection
differs from year to year. In the year 2006 – 2007 the following works were read by the
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students. All the works discussed in class and each student selected by himself/herself one
work and gave a lecture on the work for the other students.
4th year: Fall term:
1. Glæpur og refsing (Crime and Punishment) by Fjodor Dostojevsky.
2. Hamskiptin (Die Verwandlung) by Franz Kafka.
4. Líflæknirinn (Livläkarens besök) by Per Olav Enquist.
5. Birtingur (Candide) by Voltaire.
6. Selected works by the students to give a lecture on.
Spring term:
1. Ilíónskviða (Ilionad) by Homer. Selected chapters read and discussed.
2. Hringadróttins saga (Lord of the Rings) by J.R.R. Tolkien.
3. Kassandra (Kassandra: ein Erzählung) by Christa Wolf.
4. Saga þernurnar (TheHandmaid’s Tale) by Margaret Atwood.
5. Selected work by the students to give a lecture on.
DANISH
Second foreign language. 2 year course.
Students have a minimum of 3 years of Danish in lower schools.
Science line 1st year
Three periods per week.
Intensive reading:
Main textbook: Dansk er mange ting (Mál og menning).
Texts and exercises in structure and vocabulary.
Students read a selection of texts from various sources with particular emphasis on
vocabulary building and reading comprehension.
Extensive reading:
A selection of contemporary Danish short stories is read and discussed in class.
Three novels.
One of these, Min ven Thomas ( Kirsten Holst), is read and discussed in class and the other
two ( one each term) are selected by the students from a variable list of contemporary Danish
novels. These novels form the base for an essay or another kind of an assignment of
importance.
Special emphasis on reading comprehension, vocabulary building and grammar. Weekly
written work, translation and composition.
Grammar:
Sådan siger man (Mál og menning). A comprehensive Danish grammar with exercises.
Use of language:
Weekly exercises in translation from Icelandic into Danish as well as other written and oral
assignments.
Science line 2nd year:
Three periods per week.
Intensive reading:
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Students continue with Dansk er mange ting (Mál og menning) as the main textbook.
Texts and exercises in structure and vocabulary.
Students read a selection of texts from various sources with particular emphasis on
vocabulary building and reading comprehension.
Extensive reading:
A selection of contemporary Danish short stories is read and discussed in class.
Every student must read two novels (one each term ), selected from a variable list of
contemporary Danish novels. These novels form the base for an essay or another kind of an
assignment of importance.
Grammar:
Comprehensive exercises in Danish grammar.
Use of language: Weekly exercises in translation from Icelandic into Danish as well as other
written and oral assignmnets.
The final examination consists of:
1. Written examination (3 hours) consisting of:
a) translation from Danish into Icelandic,
b) reading comprehension,
c) an unseen text for translation from Icelandic into English,
d) an essay (a choice between four topics from the list of novels).
2. An oral examination (10 min. per student).
The students are expected to resume and interpretate a short story, randomly drawn from
the selection og short stories.
ENGLISH
1st year:
Four periods per week.
Intensive reading:
Students read a selection of texts from various sources with particular emphasis on
vocabulary building and reading comprehension.
Extensive reading:
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien and a selection of short stories are read and discussed in class.
Grammar:
English Grammar in Use (CUP) is used systematically throughout the school year.
Use of language:
Regular exercises in translation from Icelandic into English as well as other written and oral
assignments.
2nd year:
Four periods per week.
Intensive reading:
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Students read a selection of texts from various sources with particular emphasis on
vocabulary building and reading comprehension.
Extensive reading:
A selection of short stories is read and discussed in class.
Two novels (one each term), Animal Farm by George Orwell and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to
the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, are read and discussed in class.
Grammar:
Students continue with English Grammar in Use from the first year.
Use of language:
Regular exercises in translation from Icelandic into English, essay writing and oral
presentations.
3rd year:
Four periods per week.
This is the students’ last year of English concluding with a final examination.
Intensive reading:
Students read a selection of texts, intensively, with particular emphasis on vocabulary and
word building. The texts include passages from subjects like physics, biology, astronomy,
psychology anthropology, etc., and they have been chosen to prepare students for reading
textbooks in English in their future studies.
Extensive reading:
A selection of short stories is read and discussed in class.
A novel, To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee, and a play, Death of a Salesman by Arthur
Miller, are read and discussed in class.
Students are expected to write an essay on a novel of their own choice.
Each student is supposed to read a scientific article of his or her own choice as part of the oral
examination.
Grammar:
Students do selected exercises in grammar and vocabuary.
Use of language:
Regular writing tasks as well as oral assignments.
The final examination consists of:
1. A written examination (3 hours), consisting of
a) a translation from English into Icelandic,
b) grammar and word building,
c) reading comprehension,
d) essay writing (2 essays on different subjects).
2. An oral examination (15-20 min. per student).
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GERMAN
Third language in the languages line.
Three years
4 periods per week
1st and 2nd year
Textbooks used:
“Þýska fyrir þig 1 og 2” (German for You 1 and 2) textbook, workbook and grammar
especially prepared for Icelandic students.
Along with these textbooks a variety of study materials is used in order to achieve the study
objectives in accordance with the objectives and goals laid out in the European Language
Portfolio.
The first-year students achieve level A1 and part of level A2.
The second-year students achieve level A2 and the beginning of level B1.
3rd year
Texts from many sources are used.
The objective is to achieve level B1.
HISTORY AND CIVICS
4 periods per week in 1st, 2nd and 4th year.
1st year
The history of the classical ancient peoples with special emphasis on cultural and artistic
history, philosophy and mythology of the Greeks and Romans. The early Middle Ages and the
Viking period. - National History of Iceland 870-1262.
2nd year:
The later Middle Ages in Europe. The Renaissance in Italy. The discovery of Africa, Asia and
America round 1500 and the 16th century. The Reformation in the 16th century: The
Lutherans, the Calvinists and the Anglicans. The scientific revolution in the 17th century and
the absolute monarchy in Europe. The Enlightment in the 18th century. The American and the
French Revolution, new ideas of democracy. The Industrial Revolution in England in the 18th
and the 19th centuries.
Icelandic history from the settlement about 870 - 900. The founding of the Icelandic state and
the medieval church. The age of the Sturlungs, the power struggle between clan chieftains in
Iceland in the 13th century. The fishing and trading of the English in the 15th century. Iceland
under Noewegian rule. The Reformation in Iceland. Agriculture and fishing in Iceland mainly
in the 18th century. Trade and communication. The daily life of the people in a primitive,
agricultural society.
3rd year
The twentieth century with special emphasis on the development of political ideas and
international relations. The Icelandic struggle for independence and the effect of two world
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wars on national life, the founding of an independent republic in 1944 and the post-war
period.
In the history of the 19th and 20th centuries the study is concentrated on the following subjects:
1. The political trends of the 19th century - Conservatism, Liberalism, Socialism.
2. The major European Powers in the latter part of the 19th century- Britain, France,
Germany, Italy, The Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russia.
3. Events leading up to the Great War.
4. The World War of 1914-1918.
5. The Treaty of Versailles and European affairs after the war.
6. The Russian Revolution and the Soviet Union 1917-1939.
7. The U.S.A. 1918-1939 and the Depression.
8. The Weimar Republic in Germany 1918-1938.
9. Fascism in Italy.
10. German National Socialism and the Third Reich.
11. Events leading up to the Second World War 1933-1939.
12. The Second World War.
13. The Cold War.
14. The Arab-Israeli conflict.
MATHEMATICS
The Physics Line I
1st year
6 periods per week.
Subject matter covered: Elementary Plane Geometry, Intermediate Algebra, Equations and
Inequalities of first and second degree. Absolute Value. Indices. The Coordinate System and
Equations of Lines and Circles.
2nd year:
The Mathematics Line 1
7 periods per week.
Subject matter covered: The Coordinate system, parallel and orthogonal lines. Functions.
Polynomial equations. Inequalities. Functions and inverse functions. Vectors. Scale products.
Trigonometry, trigonometric equations and inequalities.
3rd year and 4th year
The Physics Line I
8 periods per week and 8 periods per week.
Subject matter covered: Exponential and Logarithmic functions, equations and inequalities.
Differential and Integral Calculus. Curve sketching. Differential equations. Sequences and
Series. Permutations and Combinations. Probability. Conic sections. Complex numbers.
Matrices. Vectors in three-dimensional Space. Least upper bound. The hyperbolic functions.
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L´Hospital´s Rule. Taylor polynomials with remainders. Tests for convergence of series and
improper integrals.
The Physical Science Lines I and II
General Chemistry 1st year
3 perods per week
Textbook: Chemistry; The Central Science
by T.L. Brown, H.E. LeMay Jr., B.E. Bursten, and C.J Murphy,
Chapters: 1 – 4
Ch. 1 Matter and Measurements
Classification and properties of matter, SI and derived SI units, precision and accuracy,
significant figures in calculations, dimensional analysis.
Ch. 2 Atoms, molecules, and ions
Atomic theory, atomic and mass numbers, isotopes, atomic and average atomic masses,
molecular and empirical formulas, predicting ionic charges and ionic compounds,
nomenclature of ionic and binary molecular compounds, alkanes and some simple
derivatives of alkanes.
Ch. 3 Calculations with Chemical Formulas and Equations
Balancing equations, states of reactants and products, formula and molecular weights, mole,
molar mass, interconverting mass, moles and number of particles. Empirical formulas from
elemental analysis, stoichiometry and quantitative information from balanced equations,
limiting reactants and theoretical yields.
Ch. 4 Aqueous Reactions and Solution Stoichiometry
General properties of aqueous solutions: electrolytic properties, ionic and molecular
compounds in water, strong and weak electrolytes.
Precipitation reactions: Solubility guidelines for ionic compounds, metathesis reactions,
ionic equations.
Acid-base reactions: strong and weak acids and bases, neutralization reactions and salt
formation.
Oxidation-reduction reactions: oxidation numbers, oxidation of metals by acids and metal
salts, activity series.
Concentration of solutions: molarity, interconverting molarity, moles and volume. Dilution,
solution stoichiometry and chemical analysis by titrations.
General Chemistry 2nd year
3 perods per week
Textbook: Chemistry; The Central Science
By T.L. Brown, H.E. LeMay Jr., B.E. Bursten, and C.J Murphy
Chapters: 5-11
Ch. 5 Thermochemistry
Nature and units of energy, the first law of thermodynamics, relating internal energy change
to heat and work, endo- and exothermic processes, enthalpy and enthalpies of reactions,
calorimetry, Hess´s law, enthalpies of formation.
Ch. 6 Electronic Structure of Atoms
The wave and particle nature of light, photon energy, line spectra and Bohr hydrogen model,
quantum mechanics and atomic orbitals, electron configuration of many-electron atoms,
electron configuration and the Periodic table.
Ch. 7 Periodic Properties of the Elements
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Effective nuclear charge and trends in properties: sizes of atoms and ions, ionic energy,
electron affinities.
Metals, nonmetals and metalloids, group trends in alkali and earth alkali metals, oxygen
group, halogens and nobel gases.
Ch. 8 Basic Concepts of Chemical Bonding
Ionic and covalent bonds, octet rule, bond polarity and electronegativity, Lewis structures,
formal charges, resonance structures, exceptions to the octet rule, bond enthalpies and
enthalpies of reactions.
Ch. 9 Molecular Geometry and Bonding Theories
Molecular shapes and the VSEPR model, molecular polarity, a short introduction to covalent
bonding and orbital overlap.
Ch. 10 Gases
Pressure, barometer, the gas laws of Boyle, Charles and Avogadro. The ideal-gas equation
and its application in chemical reactions, gas mixtures and partial pressures, kineticmolecular theory.
Ch. 11 Intermolecular Forces, Liquids and Solids
A molecular comparison of gases, liquids and solids.
Intermolecular forces: ion-dipole, dipole-dipole, London dispersion, hydrogen bonding,
comparison of intermolecular forces, viscosity and surface tension of liquids.
Vapor pressure: effect of intermolecular forces, temperature dependence, boiling point.
Structure of solids: simple, body-centered and face-centered cubic unit cells, NaCl(s)structure.
Bonding in solids: molecular, covalent-network, ionic and metallic solids.
Ch. 25 The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry
Hybridizations, sp3-, sp2- and sp3-orbitals, - and - bonds, structural isomers,
nomenclature, structural and physical properties of: alkanes, cycloalkanes, and alkenes.
Laboratory experiments: 2x40 min. every other week
The chemistry experiments are largely bases on:
Chemistry with Computers using Logger ProTM and Vernier Sensors,
by D.D. Holmquist and D. L. Volz
1. Formation and reactions of carbon dioxide
2. Planning and preparations of solutions
3. Endo- and exothermic reactions
4. Additivity of heats of reaction: Hess´s Law
5. Analysis of FeSO4•nH2O by permanganate titration
6. Determination of the stoichiometry of the iodometric reaction
7. Conductivity of solutions: The effect of concentration
8. Determining the concentration of a solution: Beer´s Law
9. Pressure-temperature relationship of a gas
10 Reaction of magnesium in hydrochloric acid: collecting and determining the amount
of a hydrogen gas
11. Evaporation and intermolecular forces
12. Structures and nomenclature of organic molecules: an exercise using the program
ChemSketch.
General Chemistry 3rd year
4 perods per week
Textbook: Chemistry; The Central Science
By T.L. Brown, H.E. LeMay Jr., B.E. Bursten, and C.J. Murphy
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Chapters: 13-17. 19-20 and 25
Ch. 15 Chemical Equilibrium
The law of equilibrium, equilibrium constants Kc and Kp, heterogeneous equilibria,
calculating equilibrium constants. Application of equilibrium constants: reaction quotient
and direction of a reaction, calculating equilibrium concentrations.
Le Chatelier principle: effect of change in concentrations, volume, pressure and temperature.
The effect of catalysts.
Ch. 16 Acid-Base Equilibria
Brönsted-Lowry acids-base definition, autoionization of water, pH scale, strong and weak
acids and bases, calculating pH of weak acid and weak base solutions and solutions of their
salts, polyprotic acids, acid-base properties of salt solutions, acid-base behavior and
chemical structure, Lewis acids and bases.
Ch. 17 Additional Aspect of Aqueous Equilibria
Common-ion effect, buffered solution, calculating the pH-curve for a acid-base titration:
strong acid–strong base, weak acid-strong base, weak base-strong acid.
Solubility equilibria, solubility product constant (Ksp), solubility (g/L) and molar solubility.
The effect of common-ion, pH and complex formation on solubility. Precipitation and
separation of ions.
Ch. 14 Chemical Kinetics
Reaction rate, determining a rate law from initial rates, temperature and rate, collision
model, orientation factor and activation energy, Arrhenius equation, determining activation
energy. Reaction mechanism: elementary reactions and their rate laws, rate-determining
step, deriving a rate law for few simple multistep mechanism. Catalysis: homogenous and
heterogenous catalysis, enzymes.
Ch. 19 Chemical Thermodynamics
Spontaneous processes, entropy and the second law of thermodynamics, a short introduction
to the molecular interpretation of entropy, entropy change in chemical reactions, Gibbs free
energy, free energy and temperature, free energy and the equilibrium constant.
Ch. 20 Electrochemistry
Balancing oxidation-reduction reactions, voltaic cells, cell electromotive force (EMF), free
energy and EMF, Nernst equation, concentration cells, batteries, corrosion, electrolysis.
Ch. 25 The Chemistry of Life: Organic and Biological Chemistry
Hybridizations, sp3-, sp2- and sp3-orbitals, - and - bonds, structural isomers, stereo
isomers, chirality.
Nomenclature, structural and physical properties of: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols,
ethers, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives. Biochemistry: amino acids,
peptides and proteins, protein structure, carbohydrates, disaccharides and polysaccharides,
nucleic acids, DNA.
Ch. 13 Properties of Solutions
Solution formation: energy change, spontaneity, chemical reaction. Unsaturated, saturated
and supersaturated solutions.
Factors effecting solubility: solute-solvent interactions, pressure effects, Henry´s law,
temperature effects.
Ways of expressing concentration: mass percentage, ppm, mole fraction, molality,
conversion of concentration units.
Colligative properties: Boiling-point elevation, freezing-point depression
Laboratory experiments: 2 periods every other week
The chemistry experiments are largely bases on:
Chemistry with Computers using Logger ProTM and Vernier Sensors,
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by D.D. Holmquist and D. L. Volz
1. Using conductivity to find the equivalence point for the reaction between saturated
Ba(OH)2 and H2SO4
2. Colorimetric determination of Kc for: Fe3+ + SCN-  FeSCN2+
3. The temperature dependence of the vapor pressure of methanol.
4. Titration curve of a weak acid measured with a computer-interfaced pH electrode.
5. Titration curve of a Na2A salt measured with a computer-interfaced pH electrode.
6. Separation of a mixture of Ni2+, Co2+ and Fe3+ with an ion-exchange column.
7. Determination of the composition of Cu(NH3)n2+ complex by HCl titration of aqueous
and chloroform solutions.
8. Determination of the rate law of:
S2O82- + 2I-  2SO42- + I2
9. Electrochemical cell: establishing a table of reduction potential and application of
Nernst equation.
10. Electrolysis of potassium iodide solution: identification of products and halfreactions.
11. EDTA-titration analysis of calcium in milk.
12. Determination of molecular weight by freezing-point depression.
PHYSICS
Mathematics Line II 1st year
5 lessons theory + 2 lessons lab. pr. week
Textbooks: Aflfræði I og rafrásir and Aflfræði II by Davíð Þorsteinsson.
Dynamics of a particle: SI-units, vectors, translation, velocity and acceleration in one
dimension, free fall. Force and acceleration, Newtons laws of motion, Hooke’s law, frictional
forces, coefficient of friction, motion on an incline. Energy and work, power, kinetic energy,
potential energy, conservative forces, mechanical energy, energy of a spring, inner energy,
conservation of energy, simple machines.
Pressure and heat: Pressure in liquids and gases, Archimedes’ law, Torricellis experiment,
Bernoullie’s law. Temperature, thermometers, the Kelvin scale of temperature. Ideal gas, the
gas equation, first law of thermodynamics, molar specific heat of gases. Heat and energy,
specific heat, latent heat.
Electricity: Charge, Coulomb’s law, electric field, current, voltage, Millikan’s experiment,
electric power, Ohm’s law, resistance, resistivity, emf, electric circuits, Kirchhoff’s laws.
Motion in 2 dimensions: Velocity and acceleration as vectors, two dimensional motion in
constant gravitational field.
Impulse and momentum: Impulse, momentum of a particle, conservation of momentum,
elastic and inelastic collisions in 1 and 2 dimensions, the motion of centre of mass.
Circular motion: Centripetal acceleration and force, inertial forces, Coriolis force.
Oscillations: Simple harmonic motion, energy of an oscillator, simple pendulum.
Waves in 1 dimension: Longitudinal and transverse waves, wavelength, frequency,
amplitude, reflection, interference, mathematical description of waves, standing waves, beats,
Doppler effect, intensity of sound, decibel.
Waves in a plane: Huygen’s law, refractions, reflection, diffraction, Young’s experiment,
diffraction grating, spectroscope.
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Geometrical optics: Light rays, reflection, refraction, Snell’s law, total internal reflection,
dispersion, Fermat’s law, lenses, real and virtual images, lensmaker’s equation, optical
instruments.
Error handling: Estimate of uncertainty, significant figures, error in sums and differences,
error in products and quotients, mean, standard deviation, estimating errors from a linear
graph.
2nd year Mathematics Line Physics II
4 lessons theory + 2 lessons lab. pr. week
Textbooks: Aflfræði II and Rafsegulmagn og nútímaeðlisfræði by Davíð Þorsteinsson.
Gravitation: Kepler’s laws, Newton’s law of gravitation, the Cavendish experiment, circular
motion in gravitational field, gravitational potential, binding energy, escape velocity.
Equilibrium and rotation of rigid bodies: Torque, conditions of equlibrium, centre of
gravity, torque as a vector quantity, rotational energy, moment of inertia, angular momentum,
consevation of angular momentum.
Electrostatics: Electric flux, Gauss’ law, electric field due to a charged plane, cylinder and
sphere, electric potential
Capacitors: Capacitance, dielectrics, energy of a capacitor, charging and discharging of a
capacitor through a resistor, time constant of an RC-circuit.
Electromagnetism: Magnetic field, Laplace’s law, electric motor, magnetic field around
straight conductor, magnetic field in a solenoid, definition of ampere, earth’s magnetic field,
movement of charged particles in an electromagnetic field, Loretz force, mass spectrometer.
Magnetic flux, Faradays law of induction, self induction, inductance, AC-generator,
transformer, AC-circuits.
Relativity: Inertial systems of reference, the experiment of Michelson and Morley, Einstein’s
principle of relativity, the Lorents equations, relativity of mass, mass as an energy form.
Quantum theory: Planck’s quantum theory of radiation, photoelectric effect, Einstein’s
quantum theory of light, X-rays, Braggs’ measurement of wavelengths of X-rays, the
experiment of Rutherford, Geiger and Marsden, Rutherford’s theory of the atom, the
hypothesis of de Broglie, the experiment of Davisson and Germer, quantization of energy in
the hydrogen atom, atomic spectra.
Nuclear physics: Nuclear forces, binding energy of nuclei, radioactivity, half life, nuclear
energy.
NATURAL SCIENCES:
GEOLOGY
1st year.
3 periods per week. Field trips.
Book used: Jarðfræði by Guðbjartur Kristófersson.
Subject matter covered:
Internal Earth processes: Minerals and rocks, volcanoes, geothermal energy, the Earth's
internal structure, earthquakes, plate tectonics.
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External earth processes: Landforms by weathering. erosion by rivers, glaciers, wind and
oceans. Main types of sediments and fossil fuels. Geological time, its determination and a
brief overview of the geological history of Iceland.
HISTORICAL GEOLOGY:
4th year.
3 periods per week.
Book used: Saga lífs og jarðar by Guðbjartur Kristófersson and Ólöf Erna Leifsdóttir.
Subjects covered: The founders of historical geology, time and geology, minerals and rocks,
sediments and sedimentary rocks, development of the Earth's major features, continental drift
and orogenesis, paleontology and organic evolution, evolution of environment and life
through time.
ASTRONOMY
Physics Line
Taught in the 4th year
Contents
3 periods per week. Astronomy field trip, weather permitting.
Course book
Nútíma stjörnufræði. Frá sólkerfinu okkar til vetrarbrauta og endimarka alheimsins. (Modern
astronomy, from the solar system to the galaxies and the end of the universe. Vilhelm
Sigmundsson.
Evaluation
The teacher's mark is based on the results of quick tests, individual presentations, group
assignments and short written papers handed in to the teacher.
The matriculation examination mark is based on a written examination.
Main areas of the subject
Overview of the solar system
Astronomical survey of the planets. Comparison of planet characteristics. Comparison of the
inner and outer solar system.
The inner solar system
Outline of the inner construction, surface, atmosphere and other characteristics of the planets
and our Moon. These features compared where appropriate.
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The outer solar system
Outline of the inner construction, surface, atmosphere and other characteristics of the planets
Galilean moons, Titan, Encaladus and Triton studied in a similar way as the planets. The
outermost planets of the solar system, asteroids and comets.
The Sun
The different layers of the Sun's corona, nuclear fission in the interior and events on the
surface.
Stars
Characteristics of stars, their creation and life span with reference to a HR graph. Different
star deaths based on final mass. Supernovae, white dwarfs, neutron stars, black holes.
Galaxies
Our Galaxy is considered in particular and others treated as comparisons. Development of
galaxies, galactic clusters and their distribution in the universe.
Cosmology
Basic concepts of cosmology and Olber's paradox examined. Research in cosmology.
Creation of the universe in the Big Bang. Microwave background noise and the physical
characteristics of the universe. Future of the universe.
Astrobiology
The search for planets and conditions for life on other planets.
Problem solving
Problems from the curriculum in the course lectures.
COMPUTER SCIENCE
1st year
3 periods per week.
An introductory course to computers. PC-type computers are used throughout. The main
emphasis is on practical drill in Windows-based applications, i.e. the word processor MSWord and the spreadsheet MS-Excel. There is also a theoretical introduction to computers
dealing with, among other things, logic, binary numbers, the logical structure of computers
and of the microprocessor e.t.c.
2nd year
3 periods per week.
Secondary course in computer science. PC-type computers are used. The main emphasis is on
programming in Turbo Pascal (DOS version) covering all the basics of the language up to and
including file handling. There is a short interlude dealing with the microprocessor.
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LIFE SKILLS
1st year
1 period per week
Life Skills in upper secondary schools is intended to provide students with a chance to deepen
their understanding of themselves and their environment, and strengthen their capabilities to
face the demands and challenges of daily life.
Final Objectives
On successful completion of this course a student shall:
a) Foster a sense of solidarity, sympathy and respect for the opinions and values of
others;
b) Develop rich and productive relationships with other individuals irrespective of their
race, gender, nationality, religion, or any physical and mental deficits
There is no examination for this course but participants are required to maintain 100 percent
attendance in order to obtain a pass in this course. Successful candidates will obtain a
certificate of attendance which will not carry a grade but would indicate passed/completed.
Course content
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Introduction to school and its social life
Promoting a healthy class environment
Traffic and driver education
Crisis and grief counselling
Study skills and coping with examination anxiety
Sex education
Public speaking
Self esteem
Drug, tobacco and alcohol abuse and preventive measures
Guest lectures will be provided by
 Ministers and theologians
 Medical students from the University of Iceland
Physical Training
4-year course (2 periods per week)
The students learn to improve their body, both physically and mentally, through various
exercises and games. To achieve this they enter a programme of outdoor running, weightlifting as well as strenghening and suppleness exercises. They also have an opportunity to
further their social skills and student cooperation e.g. through group assignments and various
games. They gain an understanding of the importance of regular exercise and the need for
proper nourishment.
The students go o an organized mountain hike every year and the students can also attend
swimming and swim 1000 m once a year.
The students are introduced to various sports as far as possible and sometimes guest
instructors come in for this purpose.
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Every autumn, the students have an opportunity to study an elective subject for 4 weeks and
the most popular are mountain hiking, salsa dancing, yoga, judo and golf.
Students receive instruction in dancing throughout their four years, including Icelandic folk
dances, group dances from foreign countries, Latin-American dances, the waltz and original
dances composed by fellow students for the student annual dances.
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