L3 Chemistry

NCEA Level 3 Chemistry (2CHEM)

The Chemistry course at Year 13 is based on the NCEA Level 3 Chemistry achievement standards and Level 8 of the New Zealand Curriculum. The syllabus builds on the knowledge gained in Chemistry at the Year 12 level. Therefore, good practical and theoretical knowledge is required from Year 12 Chemistry in order to gain the most from the Level 3 course.

The content of this course aims to give students the chemical understanding in order to successfully go on to study Chemistry at a tertiary level. Chemistry has been described as the “central science” because there are few sciences where at least some knowledge of Chemistry is not a requirement. Many students study Chemistry in order to fulfil requirements for another field of interest, such as medicine, engineering, pharmacy, biology, biochemistry, technology, veterinary science, geology and physiotherapy ….. the list is endless.

It may be advisable for those considering a career based in the sciences to check what level of Chemistry is required, since many university and some polytechnic courses require Chemistry equivalent to or beyond Year 13 level.

Students selecting Year 13 Chemistry will be given the choice of being in a class doing more internal credits (A.S 91393; 19 Credits total) or more external credits (A.S 91392; 21 Credits total). Students will be given more information about these options in Term 4 and we will endeavour to place students into their preferred option.

Curriculum skills

The material world strand involves the study of matter and the changes it undergoes. Ākonga develop an understanding of the atomic composition of matter and use this to explain and predict the properties and behaviour of different everyday materials. Chemistry allows us to predict how substances may alter when the surrounding conditions change, how they react to form new substances, and how the mauri of the taiao is affected when this happens.

This course takes a deeper look at what helps create our world, and takes the concepts discussed in Level 2 to a more advanced level. There is a focus on the role of energy and using particles at the microscopic level to explain the properties observed at the macroscopic level.

Topics introduced include electronic structures and spontaneity of reactions including electrochemical processes. Spectroscopic analysis of organic compounds is also investigated. Since quantitative analysis is involved with chemistry, confidence in general mathematics, simple algebra and graphs is useful and the course is aimed at ākonga going on to tertiary studies in chemistry.

Note: AS91389: Demonstrate understanding of chemical processes in the world around us requires a good understanding of Level 3 Chemistry and so should be completed near the end of the course.

Possible Pathways

Many students study Chemistry in order to fulfil requirements for another field of interest, such as medicine, engineering, pharmacy, biology, biochemistry, technology, veterinary science, geology and physiotherapy ….. the list is endless.