Chemistry is the study of materials and their properties and structure. It aims to develop students interest in and appreciation of chemistry and its usefulness in helping to explain phenomena and solve problems encountered in our ever-changing world. It gives students the opportunity to explain and make predictions about chemical systems, structures and properties and understand the factors that affect them and how these systems can be controlled to produce desired products. Chemistry is an experimental science and has significant impacts on society and implications for decision-making so students are given the opportunity to conduct a range of scientific investigations, interpret evidence and use this to critically evaluate claims in order to solve problems and generate informed conclusions.
It is a General subject suited to students who are interested in pathways beyond school that lead to tertiary studies, vocational education or work. It is assumed that students have prior knowledge of the P–10 Australian Curriculum: Science to year 10. The subject can earn up to 4 QCE points and contributes to an ATAR.
Course content
- chemical fundamentals — structure, properties and reactions
- molecular interactions and reactions
- equilibrium, acids and redox reactions
- structure, synthesis and design.
Year 11
| Unit 1 | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 2 |
Topic 1: Properties and structure of atoms Topic 2: Properties and structure of materials | Topic 3: Chemical reactions — reactants, products and energy change | Topic 1: Intermolecular forces and gases Topic 2: Aqueous solutions and acidity | Topic 3: Rates of chemical reactions |
| Data test | Research Investigation | Student experiment | Exam |
Year 12
| Unit 3 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 | Unit 4 |
| Topic 1: Chemical equilibrium systems | Topic 2: Oxidation and reduction | Topic 1: Properties and structure of organic materials | Topic 2: Chemical synthesis and design |
| Data Test | Student experiment | Research Investigation | External Exam |
Special Features
In both year 11 and 12 the course comprises 3 internal assessments weighted at 10%, 20% and 20% and an exam, which in year 12 is an external exam weighted at 50 %
Career pathways
- forensic science
- environmental science
- engineering
- medicine
- pharmacy
- sports science