Chemistry Purposes, Aims, Skills, Knowledge and Understanding
Access 3
National 4
National 5
Higher
Purposes
Science is vital to everyday life and allows us to understand and shape the world in which we live and influence its future. Scientists play a key role in meeting
society’s needs in areas such as medicine, energy, industry, material development, the environment and sustainability. As the importance and application of
science continues to grow and develop, more trained scientists will be required. It is also important that everyone has an informed view of science.
Chemistry, the study of matter and its interactions, has contributed essential knowledge and understanding across all aspects of our lives. Chemistry explains
the links between the subatomic particles and their forces and the macroscopic properties of the world. Chemistry research and development is essential for
the introduction of new products
An experimental and investigative approach is used to develop knowledge and understanding of chemistry concepts.
The Course develops 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, which they will meet.
The Access 3 Chemistry, namely
utilising nature’s resources, chemical
reactions and the chemistry in
everyday life. It offers a broad,
versatile and adaptable skills set
which is valued in the work place and
forms the basis for progress to other
Chemistry Courses, while also
providing a knowledge base which is
useful for the study of all the
sciences.
The Course develops learners’
interest in, and enthusiasm for,
chemistry and covers a variety of
contexts relevant to chemistry’s
impact on society, namely: utilising
nature’s resources, chemical
reactions and the properties of
materials. The concepts of atomic
structure, bonding, chemical changes,
properties and uses of substances
and the Earth’s materials are
developed through the course.
Chemical formulae and chemical
equations are used to explain the
The Course develops learners’
interest in and enthusiasm for
chemistry and covers a variety of
contexts relevant to chemistry’s
impact on society, namely: the
chemistry of resources from the earth,
redox reactions, the chemistry of
plastics and new materials and
environmental analysis. The
concepts of moles, chemical changes,
properties and uses of substances
and the Earth’s materials are
developed through the course.
Chemical formulae and balanced ion
-electron equations are used to
The Course provides well-mapped
concept and skills development
pathways. Learners have the
opportunity to acquire a deeper
understanding of bonding, the mole,
and the chemistry of the Earth’s
resources, the chemistry of everyday
products and how chemical changes
can be influenced and controlled. The
Course develops scientific
understanding of issues relating to
chemistry, and uses the development
of chemical theory to build an
extensive set of skills for learners.
Through application of a detailed
Aims
 develop knowledge and
understanding of basic chemistry
concepts
 develop an understanding of
chemistry’s role in scientific
issues and relevant applications
of chemistry in society
 develop scientific inquiry and
investigative skills using practical
techniques
 develop scientific analytical
thinking skills in a chemistry
context
 use technology, equipment and
materials safely in practical
scientific activities
 develop problem solving skills in a
chemistry context
 establish the foundation for more
advanced learning in the sciences
chemistry
explain the chemistry
It offers a broad, versatile and
adaptable skill set which is valued in
the work place and forms the basis for
progress onto Chemistry (National 5)
while also providing a knowledge
base which is useful for the study of
all of the sciences.
It offers a broad, versatile and
adaptable skill set which is valued in
the work place, and forms the basis
for progress onto study of chemistry
at a higher level, while also providing
a knowledge base useful in the study
of all of the sciences.
knowledge and understanding of
chemical concepts, in practical
situations, learners develop an
appreciation of the impact of
chemistry on their everyday lives. By
using the broad skills base and
knowledge and understanding of
detailed chemistry concepts, learners
will become scientifically literate
citizens.
Aims
 develop and apply knowledge and
understanding of chemistry
concepts
 develop an understanding of
chemistry’s role in scientific
issues and relevant applications
of chemistry in society
 develop scientific inquiry and
investigative skills using practical
techniques
 develop scientific analytical
thinking skills in a chemistry
context
 use technology, equipment and
materials safely in practical
scientific activities
 develop problem solving skills in a
chemistry context
 use and understand scientific
literacy in everyday contexts to
make scientifically informed
Aims
 develop and apply knowledge and
understanding of chemistry
concepts
 develop an understanding of
chemistry’s role in scientific
issues and relevant applications
of chemistry in society
 develop scientific inquiry and
investigative skills using practical
techniques
 develop scientific analytical
thinking skills in a chemistry
context
 develop use of technology,
equipment and materials safely in
practical scientific activities
 develop problem solving skills in a
chemistry context
 develop use and understanding of
scientific literacy in everyday
contexts to make scientifically
Aims
 develop and apply deeper
knowledge and understanding of
chemistry concepts
 develop an understanding of
chemistry’s role in scientific
issues and relevant applications
of chemistry in society
 develop scientific inquiry and
investigative skills using practical
techniques
 develop scientific analytical
thinking skills in a chemistry
context
 use technology, equipment and
materials safely in practical
scientific activities
 develop problem solving skills in a
chemistry context
 use and understand scientific
literacy in everyday contexts to
make scientifically informed
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Skills, knowledge and
understanding
applying, with guidance, chemistry
knowledge and understanding
solving simple problems and
making decisions
applying, with guidance,
experimental/investigative skills,
including planning and carrying
out safely
applying, with guidance,
information handling skills,
including collecting, presenting
and processing information
making basic
predictions/generalisations from
evidence/information
drawing simple valid conclusions
from evidence/information
communicating findings
choices
 develop the knowledge and skills
for more advanced learning in the
sciences
informed choices, considering
ethical issues
 develop the knowledge and skills
for more advanced learning in the
sciences
choices
 develop the knowledge and skills
for more advanced learning in the
sciences
Skills, knowledge and
understanding
applying knowledge and
understanding of chemistry
applying chemistry knowledge to
interpret information and solve
problems
planning, designing and carrying
out straightforward experimental
procedures safely to illustrate
effects
applying information handling
skills including selecting,
presenting information in a variety
of forms and processing
information, using calculations,
where appropriate
drawing valid conclusions and
giving explanations supported by
evidence
identifying a source of error
making predictions and
Skills, knowledge and
understanding
applying knowledge and
understanding of chemistry by
providing explanations
applying chemistry knowledge to
new situations, interpreting
information and solving problems
planning, designing, including an
aim and carrying out experimental
procedures safely to test
hypotheses or to illustrate effects
applying information handling
skills including selecting,
presenting information in a variety
of forms and processing
information, using calculations
with units, where appropriate
identifying a source of error and
suggesting an improvement
drawing valid conclusions and
giving explanations supported by
Skills, knowledge and
understanding
Demonstrating deeper knowledge
and understanding of chemical
reactions and concepts and
describe applications in chemical
terms
applying chemistry knowledge to
new situations, interpreting
information and solving problems
Drawing on knowledge to identify
and describe scientific issues in
terms of their impact on everyday
life, with justifications.
Applying chemical knowledge and
understanding to solve problems
and draw conclusions.
Use reference material to identify
and understand a chemical
problem, plan an experiment and
apply safety measures.
Carrying out experiments safely
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generalisations based on
evidence/information
 communicating findings
justification
 making predictions and
generalisations based on
evidence/information
 communicating findings
SLL&W
2
Numeracy
2.1 Number processes
2.2 Money, time and measurement
2.3 Information handling
SLL&W
2
Numeracy
2.1 Number processes
2.2 Money, time and measurement
2.3 Information handling
SLL&W
2
Numeracy
2.1
Number processes
2.2
Money, time and
measurement
2.3
Information handling
5
5.2
5.3
5
5.3
5.4
Thinking skills
Understanding
Applying
Thinking skills
Applying
Analysing and evaluating
5
5.3
5.4
Thinking skills
Applying
Analysing and evaluating
recording detailed observations
and collecting systematic,
accurate data
 applying information handling
skills including selecting,
presenting and processing
relevant information (using
calculations, where appropriate),
and units correctly
 drawing valid conclusions and
giving explanations supported by
justification
 evaluating experimental
procedures and identifying
sources of error and selecting the
most significant and suggest how
to improve the accuracy of results.
 Make predictions and
generalisations from
evidence/information
 communicating findings
SLL&W
1
Literacy
1.2 Writing
2
2.1
2.2
2.3
Numeracy
Number processes
Money, time and measurement
Information handling
5
5.3
5.4
5.5
Thinking skills
Applying
Analysing and evaluating
Creating
Chemistry: Chemical Changes and Structure (National 5)
In this Unit, learners will build on detailed chemical concepts, utilising these in a variety of qualitative and quantitative analytical applications. The Unit
develops skills and raises awareness of ethical and environmental issues in a local and international context, with learners gaining an understanding of how
chemistry is involved in the cause, effect and resolution of these issues.
Chemistry: Nature’s Chemistry (National 5)
In this Unit, learners will build on the understanding of a variety of natural resources and associated products to gain knowledge and develop skills. Learners
can then apply these skills when considering the ethical and environmental implications of the application of chemical knowledge to fuelling and feeding a
modern society.
Chemistry: Chemistry in Society (National 5)
In this Unit, learners will be introduced to fundamental chemical concepts and apply skills in a variety of areas, such as the development and use of novel
and new materials, including forms of energy generation.
Chemistry: Chemical Changes and Structure (National 4)
In this Unit, learners will use analytical techniques to develop skills and an awareness of ethical and environmental issues in a local and
worldwide context. Learners will gain an understanding of how chemistry is involved in the cause, effect and resolution of these issues.
Chemistry: Nature’s Chemistry (National 4)
In this Unit, learners will use everyday products such as cosmetics, fuel and food to develop skills and an understanding of the applications of
chemistry to everyday life, while considering environmental and ethical implications.
Chemistry: Chemistry in Society (National 4)
In this Unit, learners will develop scientific and analytical thinking skills through investigating new materials and energy sources.
Chemistry: Added Value Unit (National 4)
In this Unit, learners will draw on and extend the skills they have learned from across the other Units, and demonstrate the breadth of knowledge and skills
acquired, in unfamiliar contexts and/or integrated ways.