Chemistry T
Chemistry is an essential choice if you intend to proceed to tertiary level study in almost all fields of science, engineer-ing and health sciences. Some of the major challenges and opportunities fac-ing Australia and the Asia-Pacific region at the beginning of the 21st Century are inextricably associated with chemistry. Issues of sustainability on local, national and global levels are, and will continue to be, tackled by the application of chemical knowledge, using a range of technologies.
Students wanting an overview of the subject should study a Minor. Those wishing to prepare for tertiary studies in related areas should complete a Major.
Course Patterns
The course is sequential in Year 11 and 12.
Minor - Unit 1: Chemical Fundamentals, Unit 2: Molecular Interactions and Reac-tions
Major - The above units, Unit 3: Equilib-rium, Acids and Redox Reactions, Unit 4: Structure, Synthesis and Design.
Prerequisites: science in years 9 and 10.
Units
In Chemistry, students develop their un-derstanding of chemical systems, and how models of matter and energy trans-fers and transformations can be used to describe, explain and predict chemical structures, properties and reactions. There are four units:
Unit 1: Chemical Fundamentals
Students use models of atomic structure and bonding to explain the macroscopic properties of materials and to predict the products and explain the energy changes associated with chemical reactions.
Unit 2: Molecular Interactions and Reac-tions
Students continue to develop their un-derstanding of bonding models and the
relationship between structure, proper-ties and reactions, including considera-tion of the factors that affect the rate of chemical reactions.
Year 12
In Units 3 and 4, students further devel-op their knowledge of chemical process-es introduced in Units 1 and 2, including considering energy transfers and trans-formations, calculations of chemical quantities, rates of reaction and chemical systems.
Unit 3: Equilibrium, Acids and Redox Reactions
Students investigate models of equilibri-um in chemical systems; apply these models in the context of acids and bases and redox reactions, including electro-chemical cells; and explain and predict how a range of factors affect these sys-tems.
Unit 4: Structure, Synthesis and Design
Students use models of molecular struc-ture, chemical reactions and energy changes to explain and apply synthesis processes, particularly with consideration of organic synthesis; and they consider current and future applications of chemi-cal design principles.
More About Chemistry
Chemistry is the study of matter and its reactions. It provides an insight into what things are made of and how they are made. The nature of the subject ensures that practical work is an integral part of the course.
It is an enabling course which is fasci-nating in its own right as well as under-pinning medicine, metallurgy, environ-mental studies, food processing, agricul-ture, forensics, oceanography, genetic engineering, veterinary science, conser-vation of art materials, wine making and many others.
The course is sequential in Year 11 and you must complete both units to obtain a minor. All four units are required to achieve a major. A major in Chemistry may entitle you to advanced standing at CIT.
Examples of people who use Chemistry in their daily lives include:
Forensic Scientists VetsDoctors/Nurses Engineers
Physiotherapists Pharmacists
Chiropractors Geologists
Environmental Scientists Dentists
Oceanographers Biochemists