Curriculum Studies Guide 2018

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Curriculum Studies Guide 2018
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YEAR 13
Status Optional
Prerequisites Year 12 Chemistry
Periods per week Five
Description
The course started in Year 12 is developed further,
with the intention of providing an academic basis
for university study. Familiarity with reaction
chemistry remains core, particularly aspects that
involve organic compounds and redox species,
but the emphasis on the general principles which
govern how all chemicals behave is maintained.
Students will explore scientific techniques used
in industrial and university settings as well as
experience advanced chemical reactions involved
in the production of synthetic products.
Candidates for this course are expected to
have completed the Level 2 Chemistry course
successfully. The few that wish to take Year 13
Chemistry without successfully achieving in all
the topics of the Level 2 course will find the work
very demanding and must seek prior approval
from the HOD Chemistry.
Students who have enjoyed the practical aspects
of Chemistry in Years 11 and 12 will enjoy a
continued development of their understanding of
more advanced chemical processes.
Assessment
Students will complete two internal achievement
standards. The two internal achievement
standards count for 6 of the available 21 credits in
Chemistry.
The course achievement standards are:
AS 91388
Demonstrate understanding of spectroscopic
data in Chemistry. (3 credits - internal)
AS 91390
Demonstrate understanding of thermochemical
principles and the properties of particles and
substances. (5 credits - external)
AS 91391
Demonstrate understanding of the properties of
organic compounds. (5 credits - external)
AS 91392
Demonstrate understanding of equilibrium
principles in aqueous systems.
(5 credits - external)
AS 91393
Demonstrate understanding of oxidation-
reduction processes. (3 credits - external)
From Term 2 onwards, a weekly extension session
will be available to Year 13 Chemistry students
who wish to explore more advanced chemical
concepts. The purpose of these sessions will be
to prepare students for the Scholarship Chemistry
examination at the end of the school year.
The three external standards will be assessed in a
three hour end-of-year examination timeslot. Trial
examinations will be held during the year to help
prepare students.
Because Chemistry is all about us, because we
live in an age of chemistry-based technology and
because Chemistry is the subject which links
the other two major sciences of Physics and
Biology, the range of careers that require chemical
expertise is immense.
It also provides the basis for many key areas
of study such as Health Sciences, Agriculture,
Geology, Food Technology, Engineering, Textile
Technology, Forensics and Materials Science.
The economy of New Zealand is based largely on
primary industry and Chemistry plays a vital role
in developing products and ensuring their market
competitiveness. For this reason, chemists usually
find no difficulty in finding employment.