Chemistry

Welcome to the Chemistry Department

Chemistry basically underpins every aspect of our consumer driven lifestyle.

Whether it is components for the latest smart phone or paint that dries with no smell, chemistry has a major part to play.

Chemistry is concerned with atoms and their interactions with other atoms. Understanding chemistry is the key to understanding the world around us. Cooking is chemistry, everything you can touch or taste or smell is a chemical.

Chemistry Staff

Miss P McCaig (Acting DHT 0.4/FH 0.6)

Dr V Pearson

Mrs S Kennedy

Dr K Devenport

Mrs G Staunton

Ms R Bhalla

SQA Exam Dates 2021-22

Released September 2021 - coming soon!

S3 Chemistry

In S3 students are offered the opportunity to build on the key chemical principals first introduced through the S1 and S2 Science course.

The S3 course provides progression to the National Chemistry courses in S4. The course is fundamentally knowledge based with a key focus on practical activities which demonstrate course concepts. Investigative and problem solving skills are developed to ensure that students are prepared for progressing to National 4 and 5.

Senior Phase – National 4/National 5

There are a number of learning pathways students can take in Chemistry during their senior phase based on their personal interests and requirements for further education

In fourth year students can opt to achieve a National award.

The National courses cover all of the major areas of Chemistry. Students also develop an understanding of chemistry’s role in scientific issues and relevant applications of chemistry in society and the environment. Key topics include Chemical Reactions, Acids & Bases, Consumer Products, Nuclear Chemistry and Plastics.

National 4/National 5 Chemistry are each studied over one year and explores the following three units:

Chemical Changes and Structure
Nature’s Chemistry
Chemistry in Society

National 4 develops key knowledge and skills required to progress to National 5 level in fifth year or sixth year. At National 4, students are required to pass three unit assessments and complete an Added Value Unit, all of which is internally assessed.

National 5 students are required to study three units and complete an external element. The external element is split into two sections: a written scientific assignment and an external exam at the end of the year. It is recommended that an A/B pass is achieved in the external element to allow progress to Higher level in fifth year.

More information on the course structure can be found on the SQA website.

Senior Phase – Higher/Advanced Higher

In their fifth and sixth year students can choose to further develop and deepen their knowledge of chemistry by studying initially at Higher level and then at Advanced Higher level.

Higher Chemistry develops Students’ curiosity, interest and enthusiasm for chemistry in a range of contexts. The skills of scientific inquiry and investigation are developed throughout the Course, and the relevance of chemistry is highlighted by the study of the applications of chemistry in everyday contexts.

Advanced Higher Chemistry develops students’ knowledge and understanding of the physical and natural environments beyond Higher level. The Course builds on Higher Chemistry and continues to develop the underlying theories of chemistry, and the practical skills used in the chemistry laboratory.

Higher Chemistry is divided into four units:

Chemical Changes and Structure
Nature’s Chemistry
Chemistry in Society
Researching Chemistry

At Higher level, students will study four units and complete an external element. The external element is split into two sections: a written scientific assignment and an external exam at the end of the year. It is recommended students achieve an A/B pass at Higher level to allow progress to Advanced Higher level in their sixth year.

Advanced Higher Chemistry is divided into three units:

Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis
Researching Chemistry

At Advanced Higher level students will study three units, sit an external exam and complete a scientific project.

More information on the course structure can be found on the SQA website.

Notes & Homework

The chemistry department have made their National 4/5 and Higher Chemistry notes and homework tasks available online via the links below. These websites can be accessed easily and without the need to be logged in to a Glow account.

Summary notes should be used to compliment notes made during lessons, help with homework and aid revision. All summary notes are now available to be viewed as PDF files on the departmental resources website.
Homework exercises will be set on Google Classroom by the classroom teacher. All homework exercises are now available to be viewed as PDF files on the departmental resources website.
Databooks are required for National 4/5 and Higher chemistry courses. These are available on the departmental websites to be viewed as PDF files. Each student has also been given a paper copy for their own use.

S3 Chemistry online resources
S3 students should access National 4 and 5 resources (Unit 1 only) on the Chemistry Department website by clicking the above button.

National 4/5 Chemistry online resources

National 4/5 students should access National 4 and 5 resources (Units 1-3) on the Chemistry Department website by clicking the above button.

Higher Chemistry online resources

Higher Chemistry students should access Higher resources on the Chemistry Department website by clicking the above button.

Scholar - FREE online resource

Each S4 to S6 student has access to a FREE online resource called Scholar. This is an interactive online textbook that covers the entire curriculum from National 4/5 Chemistry to Advanced Higher Chemistry.

Scholar access

Log in to Glow using school email address and password.
Search for the "Scholar" tile and add it to your launchpad.
Click on the Scholar tile to open the resource.
Select the course you would like to work on.

What is available on Scholar?

Interactive notes with keywords highlighted and define in a printable glossary section.
Quick question sections for students to complete and gain immediate feedback on their answers.
End of unit tests that provide students with immediate feedback on answers.
Organised online tutorials for students to attend in the evenings virtually. Worksheets provided prior to tutorial are corrected and a teacher coordinates feedback by working through each question.
Recorded online tutorials available all year round. All previously distributed worksheets and virtual tutorials are saved and can be worked on by students at a time suitable to their schedule.
Teachers also have access to Scholar and can track the progress of their students and review test scores.