Marlborough Boys’ College

NCEA L2 Chemistry - Mātai Matū

CHE2 Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Mrs S. Withers.

Recommended Prior Learning

The BCS Level 1 Science course, or higher. However, if you are really keen and are willing to work hard, we will consider you. 

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Course Overview

Term 1
At the start of our Coastal chemistry course we will focus on the significance of the Matariki stars- Waitā and Pohutakawa - as we build knowledge about the implications of the chemicals that flow via our storm water drains and sewage works into our coastal waters.
We will use qualitative analysis to identify the chemicals in storm water and qualitative analysis to find the concentration of chlorine in water.
The skills that you develop and knowledge you build will be assessed via a three credit and a four credit internal assessments.

Term 2
As we move into Term Two we continue our focus on the significance of the Matariki stars - Waitā and Pohutakawa - as we build further knowledge about the implications of the chemicals that are introduced into our coastal waters and mined from beneath the waves. A new language will be introduced to you - IUPAC nomenclature. As you practise using this language to name organic molecules and carry out reactions to change organic chemicals from one type to another you will become familiar with alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, haloalkanes, amines, alcohols, carboxylic acids and their associated physical and chemical properties. By using the qualitative analysis skills that you developed in Term 1, you will distinguish between a range of organic molecules and learn to craft concise, scientifically worded explanations to justify your answers. The knowledge you have built around Organic chemistry will be assessed via a four credit external examination at the end of the year.

Towards the latter part of Term 2 we will focus on the significance of the Matariki stars - Ururangi and Waipunarangi - as we build knowledge about the implications of the chemicals that make their way into our winds and rainwater. You will learn about Collision theory and Le Chatelier's principle, carry out experiments that involve changing the conditions under which reactions occur and observing to see which factors cause a reaction to rate to increase or decrease and a system at equilibrium to be disturbed. You will use these reactions to improve your ability to craft concise, scientifically worded explanations and justifications. These activities will also allow you to make sense of the way emission control regulations have driven recent chemical and technological developments in vehicle exhaust systems.

Term 3
In Term 3 we continue our focus on the significance of the Matariki stars - Ururangi and Waipunarangi - as we build knowledge about the implications of the chemicals that make their way into our winds and rainwater.
We experiment with and build knowledge about acids bases and salts and pH. This will support you in being able to apply reaction rates, equilibrium and pH to explain the implications of chemicals that have made their way into our winds and rain. This unit is assessed via an external four credit examination at the end of the year.
After our derived grade examinations you will carry out experiments that involve electrons moving from one chemical to another. Though these Redox Reactions cause many of the negative effects of pollutants in our winds and rainwater, they are also the mechanisms whereby antioxidants and many emission control systems function. This unit is assessed via an internal three credit practical examination where you justify your results using the concise, scientifically worded explanations and justifications that you have practised throughout the year.

Term 4
We follow a revision program to prepare for the two external examinations.

Learning Areas:

Year 12 (NCEA Level 2), Science - Mātauranga Pūtaiao

Assessment Information

This course has six documented assessments - two 3 credit and one 4 credit practical internal credits on Redox reactions, Qualitative analysis and Quantitative analysis and two 4 credit externals on Organic chemistry and Reactivity.
This course does however provide opportunities for students to design a personal unique course according to their abilities and aspirations as well as the opportunity to compete for a place on the New Zealand team for the international Chemistry Olympiad.
For example there is an option to take a year long 5 credit Level 3 Chemistry course from 3:30 to 4:30 one afternoon a week throughout the year.
These options can be negotiated with your teacher during the course.