CHEMISTRY
Name of Course
Levels
Chemistry
Intermediate 2
Chemistry
Higher
Chemistry
Advanced Higher
Recommended Entry Qualification or Suitability
Standard Grade Chemistry Grades 3 or 4 in KU and PS
(Intermediate 1 Chemistry at Grade A); or
Standard Grade Biology or Physics at Grades 1, 2 or 3 in
KU and PS (or Int 2 at Grade A or B)
and, in addition,
Standard Grade Mathematics at Grades 3 or 4 (or Int 1 at
Grade A)
Standard Grade Chemistry at Grades 1 or 2 in KU and PS (or
Intermediate 2 Chemistry at Grade A)
and, in addition,
Standard Grade Mathematics at Grades 1 or 2 (or Int 2 at
Grade A)
A pass in Higher Chemistry (preferably at Grade A)
SPECIAL POINTS TO NOTE
Chemistry provides an excellent training for many careers, both scientific and non-scientific. The
study of Chemistry promotes the development of transferable skills such as: problem solving;
analytical thinking; numeracy; practical skills and co-operation with others. These skills are much
sought after in many occupations and fields of employment.
A Chemistry qualification is essential for careers such as:
Biochemist; Chemical Engineer; Chemical Physicist; Dentist; Doctor; Food Scientist; Forensic
Scientist; Industrial Chemist; Laboratory Technician; Lecturer/Teacher of Chemistry; Nurse;
Pharmacist; Research Chemist; Veterinary Surgeon, etc.
INTERMEDIATE 2
The content of the course consists of three mandatory units of equal length:
1. Building Blocks (elements, compounds, reaction rates, atomic structure, bonding, &
formulae)
2. Carbon Compounds (fuels, formulae, reactions, plastics & synthetic fibres, natural
products)
3. Acids, Bases and Metals (acids, bases, salts, & metals)
Each unit also includes three Prescribed Practical Activities (PPAs)
The assessment of the course is as follows:
Learning Outcomes 1 and 2 (which equate to the Standard Grade elements of KU and PS)
are not assessed separately as in Standard Grade.
Internal Assessment of each unit is by means of a 45 minute written test at the end of the
unit. In addition a satisfactory written report on one PPA is also required.
External Assessment of the course is by means of a single 2-hour examination. The SQA
will not give a course award unless all internal unit assessments have been passed.
Progression: Pupils achieving an Intermediate 2 Chemistry Course award can proceed to Higher
Grade Chemistry in S6 or an appropriate Science course at College.
HIGHER GRADE
The content of the course consists of three mandatory units of equal length:
1. Energy Matters (reaction rates, enthalpy, patterns in Periodic Table, bonding & structure,
& mole)
2. The World of Carbon (fuels, formulae, reactions, uses, polymers, & natural products)
3. Chemical Reactions (chemical industry, Hess’s Law, equilibrium, acids & bases, redox,
nuclear chemistry)
Each unit also includes three Prescribed Practical Activities (PPAs)
The assessment of the course is as follows:
Learning Outcomes 1 and 2 (which broadly equate to the Standard Grade elements of KU
and PS) are not assessed separately as in Standard Grade.
Internal assessment of each unit is by means of a 45 minute written test at the end of the
unit. In addition, a satisfactory written report on one PPA is required.
External assessment of the course is by means of a single two and a half hour examination.
The SQA will not give a course award unless all internal unit assessments have been passed.
Progression:
Pupils obtaining a good grade in Higher Chemistry can progress to Advanced Higher in S6,
or subject to obtaining the right entry qualifications, proceed to appropriate University/
College courses.
ADVANCED HIGHER
The content of the course consists of four mandatory units:
1. Electronic Structure and the Periodic Table (Electronic Structure of Elements, chemical
bonding, & trends in Periodic Table)
2. Principles of Chemical Reactions (Stoichiometry, equilibrium, thermochemistry,reaction
feasibility, electrochemistry, kinetics)
3. Organic Chemistry (chemistry of main types of organic compounds, stereochemistry,
structural analysis, medicines)
4. Chemical Investigation
The practical aspect of the subject is more prominent than in Higher and includes twelve
Prescribed Practical Activities (PPAs) and a Practical Investigation (Unit 4).
The Assessment of the course includes:
Internal Assessment of Units 1, 2 and 3 is by means of a 45-minute test at the end of each
Unit. In addition, a satisfactory written report on one PPA is required. The internal
assessment of the Chemical Investigation (Unit 4) is by means of a day book kept by the
student for planning, recording readings and analysis of the information.
External assessment of the course consists of:
(a) a single two and a half hour written examination.
(b) an Investigation Report of approximately 2500 words.
Progression: This course provides a good bridge between school and Chemistry based university
courses; it could lead to employment in Science and manufacturing industries, Health and Medicine.