Chemistry Higher

Course overview

Chemistry Higher is a part-time course designed to deepen your understanding of the influence chemistry has on society. Chemistry is a growing industry and a major contributor to the country's economy. During this course, you will learn essential research skills to progress into a career in the science and chemistry sector or further study at HNC/D and university level. 

Higher qualifications, accredited by the SQA, are typically studied at high school and college. These qualifications act as pathways to further study including university entry. Edinburgh College offers a selection of subjects at National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher level on a part-time basis. You may choose to study up to two subjects. These courses are challenging and require the ability to study independently. 

What you will learn

Chemical Changes and Structure:

• Controlling Reaction Rates and Periodic Trends (to strengthen your ability to make reasoned evaluations by recognising underlying patterns and principles)
• Investigate Collision Theory (and the use of catalysts in reactions as well as exploring the concept of electronegativity and intramolecular and intermolecular forces)
• Investigation of the Connection Between Bonding and Material Physical Properties

Researching Chemistry:

• Key Skills in Chemistry Research
• Research the relevance of chemical theory to everyday life by exploring the chemistry behind a topical issue
• Key Skills in Collecting and Synthesising Information (from several different sources)
• Knowledge of Common Chemistry Apparatus and Techniques
• Plan and undertake a practical investigation related to a topical issue

Nature’s Chemistry:

• Organic Chemistry
• Chemistry of Food
• Chemistry of Everyday Consumer Products (such as soaps, detergents, fragrances and skincare)
• Relationship Between the Structure of Organic Compounds (their physical and chemical properties and how they are used)
• Key Functional Groups
• Types of Organic Reaction

Chemistry in Society:

• The Principles of Physical Chemistry (which allows a chemical process to be taken from the researcher`s bench through to industrial production)
• Calculate Quantities of Reagents and Products Percentage Yield
• Atom Economy of Processes
• Develop Skills to Manipulate Dynamic Equilibria and Predict Enthalpy Changes
• Investigate the Ability of Substances (to act as oxidising or reducing agents and their use in analytical chemistry through the context of volumetric titrations)
• You will use analytical chemistry to determine the purity of reagents and products.

How the course is assessed

• The course assessment determines the final grade and has two components. Both are marked externally by the SQA. The first component is 2 question papers of 40 minutes and 2h 20 minutes. The second component is an assignment completed within 8 hours, which includes 2h for a report stage.

Number of days per week

• Day class – 4 hours per week across 2 days (Monday and Wednesday)

Entry requirements

• National 5 Chemistry at A or B (or equivalent) 
• National 5 Mathematics at A/B/C (or equivalent). We do not accept Applications of Maths for this course. 
• National 5 English is recommended but not mandatory 
• Pass at National 4 (with added value unit), Intermediate 1 at A or B, or Standard Grade 3 or 4 in Chemistry 
• Applicants should provide a strong personal statement in support of their application which includes the reason they chose to study Higher Chemistry

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

• You will be invited to an entry test if your qualifications are five years old or older. The entry test is based on content from the National 5 Chemistry course.
• Applications from students who wish to repeat a course, have previously been enrolled on any Science course, apply again and/or have previously withdrawn from any Science course will be placed on the waiting list. Applications will only be considered in August if there are places available on the course. If the course reaches capacity before August, an offer will not be possible. Therefore, we advise students to consider other options within the College. 

English Proficiency Requirements

Progression and Articulation Routes

• This course and its units will provide progression to other qualifications in Chemistry or related areas as well as further study, employment and/or training 
• You can progress to further study at a university level by using this course in conjunction with others 

Career options

• Chemistry 
• Various science industries