Academic Department Details

Department:Department of Science

Subject:Chemistry

Course Content

Learning Objectives

• Acquiring and applying knowledge
• Acquiring concepts (understanding concepts including abstract ideas, reasons, how processes occur, etc.)
• Acquiring new behaviours, learning new skills (learning symbols, making formulae and balancing equations, applying techniques, and analyzing information)

Skills Required to Learn

• The ability to ask the right questions is the single most important skill.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving
• Curiosity and imagination
• Using knowledge, applying techniques and analyzing information

General Comments

The course involves the basics of chemistry and applied topics which are required for both CISCE and IB syllabi in the following years. The topics in the subject include much of the chemistry that we use in daily life and so students relate what they study. The course has been designed to expose students to the simple laboratory techniques and train them to handle chemicals.

The content in D and C Forms is appropriately punctuated by interesting activities and technology resources so that pupils increasingly develop a better grasp of the idea. The course aims to build up scientific attitude and values which encourage students to develop safe, responsible and collaborative working practices.

This subject helps students to make a career in Agricultural Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Chemical Engineering, Consumer product Chemistry, Forensic Science, Medicinal chemistry, Oil and petroleum, Textile chemistry, etc. The Junior Chemist spare time activity gives options and avenues to students to explore the applications of the subject in daily life, like making detergents, cleaning agents, exploring chemistry of food products etc.

Academic Department Details

Department: Department of Science

Subject: Chemistry

Curriculum: ICSE

Course Content

Learning Objectives

• To acquire the knowledge of terms, concepts, processes, techniques and principles related to the subject.
• To develop the ability to apply the knowledge of contents and principles of chemistry in unfamiliar situations.
• To acquire skills in proper handling of apparatus and chemicals.
• To develop scientific temper, attitude and problem solving skills.
• To recognize Chemical Science as having an important impact on the environment relating to cycles in nature; natural resources, pollution.

Skills Acquired by Students

• Ability to recall knowledge points
• Understanding of the fundamental concepts
• Ability to apply knowledge to new situations
• Ability to process data and conclude
• Association of values to learning points

General Comments

The study of Chemistry is closely related to Physics and Mathematics. The subject involves skills development in processing data and its interpretation helps in the understanding of the nature of matter. The subject has evolved in many parts of the world and its impact on society and subsequent changes have been immense. A student of Chemistry will certainly find the learning objectives of other science subjects similar to the subject.

Academic Department Details

Department: Department of Science

Subject: Chemistry

Curriculum: ISC

Course Content

Learning Objectives

• To foster acquisition of knowledge and understanding of terms, concepts, facts, processes, techniques and principles relating to the subject of Chemistry.
• To develop the ability to apply the knowledge of contents and principles of Chemistry in new or unfamiliar situations.
• To develop skills in proper handling of apparatus and chemicals.
• To develop an ability to appreciate achievements in the field of Chemistry and its role in nature and society.
• To develop an interest in activities involving usage of the knowledge of Chemistry.
• To develop a scientific attitude through the study of Physical Sciences.
• To acquaint students with the emerging frontiers and interdisciplinary aspects of the subject.
• To develop skills relevant to the discipline.
• To apprise students with interface of Chemistry with other disciplines of Science, such as, Physics, Biology, Geology, Engineering, etc.

Skills Acquired by Students

• Ability to recall knowledge points
• Understanding of the fundamental concepts
• Ability to apply knowledge to new situations
• Ability to process data and conclude
• Association of values to learning points
• Ability to acquire handle instruments, data collection and analysis, conclusion etc.

General Comments

The study of Chemistry is closely related to Physics, Mathematics and Geology. The subject involves skills development in processing data and its interpretation helps in the understanding of the nature of matter. The subject has evolved in many parts of the world and its impact on society and subsequent changes have been immense. A student of Chemistry will certainly find the learning objectives of other science subjects similar to the subject.

Academic Department Details

Department: Department of Science

Subject: Chemistry

Curriculum: IB

Course Content

The syllabus for the Diploma Programme chemistry course is divided into three parts: the core, the AHL material and the options. The Chemistry data booklet is an integral part of the syllabus and should be used in conjunction with the syllabus. Students should use the data booklet during the course, and they should be issued with clean copies of it for the paper 2 and paper 3 examinations.

Teaching hours: Core 80

• Topic 1: Quantitative chemistry 12.5
• Topic 2: Atomic structure 4
• Topic 3: Periodicity 6
• Topic 4: Bonding 12.5
• Topic 5: Energetics 8
• Topic 6: Kinetics 5
• Topic 7: Equilibrium 5
• Topic 8: Acids and bases 6
• Topic 9: Oxidation and reduction 7
• Topic 10: Organic chemistry 12
• Topic 11: Measurement and data processing 2

Teaching hours: AHL 55

• Topic 12: Atomic structure 3
• Topic 13: Periodicity 4
• Topic 14: Bonding 5
• Topic 15: Energetics 8
• Topic 16: Kinetics 6
• Topic 17: Equilibrium 4
• Topic 18: Acids and bases 10
• Topic 19: Oxidation and reduction 5
• Topic 20: Organic chemistry 10

Teaching hours: Options 15/22
Options SL and HL

• Option A: Modern analytical chemistry 15/22
• Option B: Human biochemistry 15/22
• Option C: Chemistry in industry and technology 15/22
• Option D: Medicines and drugs 15/22
• Option E: Environmental chemistry 15/22
• Option F: Food chemistry 15/22
• Option G: Further organic chemistry 15/22

Students at SL are required to study any two options from A to G. The duration of each option is 15 hours.

Students at HL are required to study any two options from A to G. The duration of each option is 22 hours.

Learning Objectives

Through studying any of the group 4 subjects, students should become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. While the “scientific method” may take on a wide variety of forms, it is the emphasis on a practical approach through experimental work that distinguishes the group 4 subjects from other disciplines and characterizes each of the subjects within group 4.

It is in this context that all the Diploma Programme experimental science courses should aim to:

• Provide opportunities for scientific study and creativity within a global context that will stimulate and challenge students
• Provide a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterize science and technology
• Enable students to apply and use a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterize science and technology
• Develop an ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesize scientific information
• Engender an awareness of the need for, and the value of, effective collaboration and communication during scientific activities
• Develop experimental and investigative scientific skills
• Develop and apply the students’ information and communication technology skills in the study of science
• Raise awareness of the moral, ethical, social, economic and environmental implications of using science and technology
• Develop an appreciation of the possibilities and limitations associated with science and scientists
• Encourage an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and the overarching nature of the scientific method

Skills Acquired by Students

• Demonstrate an understanding of:

  a) scientific facts and concepts

  b) scientific methods and techniques

  c) scientific terminology

  d) methods of presenting scientific information.

• Apply and use:

  a) scientific facts and concepts

  b) scientific methods and techniques

  c) scientific terminology to communicate effectively

  d) appropriate methods to present scientific information.

• Construct, analyse and evaluate:

  a) hypotheses, research questions and predictions

  b) scientific methods and techniques

  c) scientific explanations.

• Demonstrate the personal skills of cooperation, perseverance and responsibility appropriate for effective scientific investigation and problem solving.
• Demonstrate the manipulative skills necessary to carry out scientific investigations with precision and safety.

General Comments

Chemistry is an experimental science that combines academic study with the acquisition of practical and investigational skills. It is called the central science, as chemical principles underpin both the physical environment in which we live and all biological systems. Apart from being a subject worthy of study in its own right, chemistry is a prerequisite for many other courses in higher education, such as medicine, biological science and environmental science, and serves as useful preparation for employment.

The Diploma Programme chemistry course includes the essential principles of the subject but also, through selection of options, allows teachers some flexibility to tailor the course to meet the needs of their students.

The course is available at both standard level (SL) and higher level (HL), and therefore accommodates students who wish to study science in higher education and those who do not.