Chemistry

Course description

The Year 11 course develops the knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to the properties and structures of matter, the types and drivers of chemical reactions and how we measure the quantities involved in these processes.

The Year 12 course builds on the concepts introduced in Year 11 by examining particular classes of chemicals, processes and a variety of chemical reactions which incorporate organic compounds and acid/base equilibrium reactions. The course challenges students to apply this knowledge to the investigation of a range of methods used in identifying and measuring quantities of chemicals, which leads to an understanding of the structure, properties and trends of and between classes of chemicals.

Students who have shown an achievement in, and/or aptitude for, any of the Stage 6 Science courses: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Investigating Science or Physics in Year 11 may choose to study Science Extension in Year 12.

What students learn

Year 11 course

The Year 11 course consists of four modules:

• Module 1 Properties and Structure of Matter
• Module 2 Introduction to Quantitative Chemistry
• Module 3 Reactive Chemistry
• Module 4 Drivers of Reactions

Year 12 course

The Year 12 course consists of four modules:

• Module 5 Equilibrium and Acid Reactions
• Module 6 Acid/base Reactions
• Module 7 Organic Chemistry
• Module 8 Applying Chemical Ideas

Course requirements

Students are provided with 15 hours of course time for depth studies in both Year 11 and Year 12. During this time students may undertake an investigation/activity that allows for the further development of one or more scientific concepts.

A depth study may be one investigation/activity or a series of investigations/activities. Depth studies may be included in one module or across several modules.

Practical investigations are an essential part of the Year 11 and Year 12 courses and must occupy a minimum of 35 hours of course time each year.