CHEMISTRY
SCQF LEVEL 7 - Advanced Higher
The course covers important chemical concepts used to take a chemical process from the researcher’s bench through to industrial production. The concept of the mole allows the quantities of reagents required to be calculated, and the quantity of products predicted. By studying energy, rates and equilibria, candidates can suggest how reaction conditions can be chosen to maximise the profitability of an industrial process. You will experience and learn about industrial analytical chemistry techniques, such as volumetric analysis and chromatography. You will gain an understanding of chemical bonding and intermolecular forces that allows them to predict the physical properties of materials. This will be applied to solve problems in a range of diverse contexts such as the chemistry of cooking. The course enables candidates to make their own decisions on issues within a modern society, where scientific knowledge and its applications and implications are constantly developing.
The course emphasises practical and experiential learning opportunities with a strong skills-based approach to learning.
QUALIFICATION
Advanced Higher Chemistry
DURATION
1 Year full time
COURSEWORK
Question paper
Section 1 multiple-choice 25
Section 2-
Project
EXAM
110 - (75%) - 3h
25 marks
85 marks
25 marks (25%)
10-15h
COST
None
TEACHERS
Mrs Davidson
Dr Jerrow
Miss Long
Mrs Martin
Ms Przygoda
WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?
wHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE?
This course is ideal for those with an interest a career in a Chemistry- based discipline or related area such as medicine, law, dentistry, veterinary medicine, environmental and health science, renewable energy, development, engineering, technology, pharmaceuticals, environmental monitoring, forensics, research and development, oil and gas exploration, management, civil service and education, in chemistry. Chemistry plays an increasingly important role in most aspects of modern life. The course allows candidates to develop a deep understanding of the nature of matter, from its most fundamental level to the macroscopic interactions driving chemical change. Students will develop their abilities to think analytically, creatively, and independently to make reasoned evaluations, and to apply critical thinking in new and unfamiliar context to solve problem.
Skills, knowledge and understanding of chemistry.
skills to carry out complex practical scientific activities, including the use of risk assessments, technology, equipment and materials.
investigative skills, including planning and experimental design.
analytical thinking skills, including critical evaluation of experimental procedures.
problem solving skills in a chemistry context.
understanding of scientific literacy.
skills of autonomous working in chemistry.
KEY FACTS
Everything you need to know before selecting this course
entry requirements
Suitable for candidates who are secure in their attainment of Higher Chemistry or equivalent qualifications and /or experience prior to starting this course.
It designed for candidates who can respond to a level of challenge, especially those considering further study or a career in chemistry and related disciplines.
what will you get?
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Advanced Higher Science Qualification – desirable for many university and/or college course either as a specific entry condition or to complement expected transferable skills
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Practical laboratory skills useful in the industrial sector
progress
Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course
EMPLOYMENT
The range of careers that would benefit from attaining this course are wide ranging. Here are a few career areas on apprentice and/or university level:
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Engineering
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Manufacturing, Production and Quality Control
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Food Sciences
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Medicine and Health Care
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Chemical Industry and Sciences
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Biomedical Sciences, Pharmacy
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Energy sector
my world of work
This link will take you to an excellent resource on MyWOW which looks at potential career routes when you select a combination of subjects.
STUDENT STORIES
Information from pupils who have studied this course as to how they feel it was.
Anna - S6
I have really enjoyed learning about different parts of chemistry in even more detail than what you are told in National 5 or Higher Chemistry. The inorganic chemistry, specifically quantum numbers and shapes of molecules, was my favourite because you can understand so much more about why compounds behave the way they do due to their electrons. I also really enjoyed the analytical chemistry as it is basically putting a jigsaw puzzle together - and it’s so satisfying when you figure out what the compound is!
It was also good to get the opportunity to visit the chemistry labs at Aberdeen University because I hope to do chemistry at university and being able to use the equipment they have built my confidence when it came to doing the practical for my project. From looking at Chemistry courses at university, AH Chemistry is really like the first-year chemistry course – which other subjects like biology or maths also encourage you to do in first year – so I hope taking AH Chemistry will help me a lot next year.
Jack - S5
I am interested in going into pharmacology/pharmacy so the organic chemistry topic was good to help you understand how a chemical reaction happens, how the product is made at the bonding level and what effect that might have on the body. It’s a good topic if someone liked hydrocarbons in National 5 or Higher but with a lot more detail. It was also interesting to see exactly what chemistry might be used for in real life because my project was to determine the amount of aspirin actually in an aspirin tablet and that’s a common medication that lots of people take – it’s cool to understand the chemistry behind it.
