NCEA Level 3 Chemistry
Course Description
Head of Faculty - Kaihautuu: Miss M. Ashford.
Through a range of practical chemistry investigations students will develop their self-management and ability to communicate with others. Students will develop critical thinking skills as they link observations to theory. Students will explore the use of a range of scientific symbols and vocabulary.
Students will gain an understanding of fundamental material world concepts to prepare them for further science study. Students will develop/modify a plan to carry out a quantitative investigation. They will form links between oxidation-reduction reaction, understand shapes and polarity and properties of molecules, carry out calculations involving thermochemistry, understand structure, properties and reactivity of organic molecules and determine structure of molecules using spectroscopy data. They will learn the application of the above in the real world by having hands on activities such as practicals, experiments and demonstrations.
The Chemistry 3.6 external is an optional course, which students can learn outside of class with teacher support.
Course Overview
Term 1
We start with the 3.1 internal standard which develops the skills of volumetric analysis. We will do a quantitative investigation looking at the trend in the concentration of Vitamin C. This standard is practical based including calculations and report writing. We will then start the 3.7 redox chemistry focusing on electrochemistry and electrolysis which looks at how reactive metals can be extracted from compounds.
Term 2
We will be covering 3.4 particles and thermochemistry. This is a continuation of structure and bonding from Level 2, where students will learn more in depth about trends in the periodic table, covalent molecules and enthalpy changes in chemical reactions.
Term 3
We will learn 3.5 organic chemistry which is the continuation of the organic chemistry from Level 2, looking at how different organic compounds are made and identified including polymers. This will be followed by the 3.2 spectroscopy internal which looks at identifying molecules based on Infrared, Mass Spectroscopy and C13 NMR spectra - this is the science of Border Security!
Term 4
We will finish the 3.2 internal and revise for the external exams.
Recommended Prior Learning
It is recommended that students have studied Level 2 Chemistry and passed an external exam. The Level 3 course builds on the concepts from Level 2.
Credit Information
You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.
This course is eligible for subject endorsement.
This course is approved for University Entrance.
External
NZQA Info
Chemistry 3.1 - Carry out an investigation in chemistry involving quantitative analysis
NZQA Info
Chemistry 3.2 - Demonstrate understanding of spectroscopic data in chemistry
NZQA Info
Chemistry 3.4 - Demonstrate understanding of thermochemical principles and the properties of particles and substances
NZQA Info
Chemistry 3.5 - Demonstrate understanding of the properties of organic compounds
NZQA Info
Chemistry 3.6 - Demonstrate understanding of equilibrium principles in aqueous systems
NZQA Info
Chemistry 3.7 - Demonstrate understanding of oxidation-reduction processes
Approved subject for University Entrance
Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 25
Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.
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