NCEA L2 Chemistry

Course aims / learning outcomes

• Chemistry is a hugely exciting topic on its own, with dozens of subdisciplines and exciting modern applications.. It is also important to know chemistry in a variety of professions. Interested in criminal law and forensics? You should learn chemistry. Want to study exoplanets as an astrobiologist? Learn chemistry. Choosing between concrete and steel when designing bridges as an engineer? Want to be an archeologist and radiocarbon date your discoveries? Want to make life-saving medication? Better know some chemistry.

• It is highly recommended that students have completed the 'Acids and Bases' external (Science 1.5 aka AS90944) at Level 1 NCEA prior to taking this course. However, if you have not completed this and would still like to take NCEA Level 2 chemistry, then please contact Zack to discuss options for catch-up work.

Course content

• Refer to table below, and course descriptors.

Assessment statement

• A total of 20 Achievement Standard credits are offered within this course, all at NCEA Level 3.
• The content of 17 of these credits will be learned in class. For the optional research report assessment, you must complete it on your own time and submit it by the end of Term 3.
• Most students will likely want to target some, but not all of the credit opportunities - decisions will be made, in conversation with the learning advisor, dependent on student goals, their level of independence and attitude to learning.  
• To earn 14 credits to have chemistry as a course endorsement, you'll need to pass two external exams and two internals, or three external exams and an internal.
• A student preparing for the chemistry olympiad selection test must do all three external assessments to have the breadth of knowledge required to pass the test.

Authenticity

• Assignments that take place over time will be produced in an online system such as Google Docs. Learning Advisors will monitor student work by accessing document history. A portion of work will need to be completed during class time under Learning Advisor supervision. 
• Class tests will take place under supervised test conditions within class.
• Students may be required to sign an authenticity statement, perform certain parts of assessment tasks under close supervision, or show through interview and the existence of notes and supporting material that the work submitted by the student is genuinely his/her own work.

Appeal Procedures

• Students have the right to appeal the mark they have been awarded. If a student wishes to appeal a grade, they should initially talk to the subject learning advisor about the marking process immediately after the marked assessment task is shown to them. If still dissatisfied the student should make an appointment and discuss grades with the Principal’s Nominee who will check that the correct procedures have been followed as outlined in the school and subject policies taking into account any special circumstances.

Table of Assessments