15050                                                                                               CHEMISTRY

Course: Chemistry                                                     Category:   A

2 units for each of Preliminary and HSC                                  

Board Developed Course                                           Exclusions: Senior Science (Preliminary)

Course Description:

Chemistry provides students with a contemporary understanding of the physical and chemical properties of substances and their interactions. Chemistry attempts to provide chemical explanations and to predict events at the atomic and molecular level.

Students investigate natural and made substances, their structures, changes and environmental importance; they learn about the history and philosophy of science as it relates to Chemistry; students work individually and with others in practical, field and interactive media experiences related to chemistry; they undertake experiments and decide between competing theories.  They assess the impact of decisions based on an understanding of chemistry on society.

The course builds on the foundations laid in Stage 5 Science, and recognises the fact that students bring a wide range of abilities, circumstances and expectations to the course.

Main Topics Covered:

One Option from the following:

·         Industrial Chemistry

·         Shipwrecks and Salvage

·         The Biochemistry of Movement

·         The Chemistry of Art

·         Forensic Chemistry

Particular Course Requirements:

Practical experiences should occupy a minimum of 80 indicative hours across Preliminary and HSC course time, with no less than 35 hours in the HSC course.

SKILLS / APTITUDE                         Important                               Not so important

Essay Writing                                                                                     *

Research                                            *

Oral Reporting                                                                                                *

Practical work                                     *

Working in a group or team                *

Public Performance                                                                            *

Meeting Deadlines                              *

Assessment:  HSC Course only