Chemistry
Chemistry exists everywhere not just in laboratories but in every living thing on land and sea and in our bodies. It is often described as ‘the central science’ containing a lot of formulas. So, if you enjoyed Junior Certificate Science and you have done well in this and Maths you should be a good candidate for Leaving Certificate Chemistry. Chemistry is an essential element in the study of careers including: Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Physiotherapy, Nursing, Pharmacy and Medical Laboratory Technology.
Why Study Chemistry?
The subject aims to provide a relevant course for students who will complete their study of Chemistry at this level while, at the same time, providing a foundation course for those who will continue to study Chemistry or related subjects following completion of their Leaving Certificate. Chemistry is considered most useful for careers in Pharmacy, Ag Science, Medicine, Engineering, General Sciences and Biotechnology.
What kind of Student would Chemistry suit?
- If you enjoyed Junior Certificate Science and you have done well in this and Maths you should be a good candidate for Leaving Certificate Chemistry.
- If you apply attention to detail and are able to describe the procedures of experiments and understand vocabulary.
- Students considering a career in any scientific discipline, such as chemistry, biology, environmental science, medicine, pharmacology, or material science.
Course Overview
The subject aims to provide a relevant course for students who will complete their study of Chemistry at this level while, at the same time, providing a foundation course for those who will continue to study chemistry or related subjects following completion of their Leaving Certificate.
The Leaving Certificate course follows on directly from Junior Certificate Science, and deals with more topics in a lot more depth. The course includes 28 mandatory practical experiments which must be completed in the lab, as well as a written paper including questions on the experiments and examining the theory and applications of chemistry. There are an amount of calculations involved. Chemistry has been the second most popular science subject for some time now.
There is no element of continuous assessment but experimental copies must be available for inspection by State Examinations Commission
Course Content
The syllabus consists of approximately 70% pure chemistry; the remaining 30% deals with the social and applied aspects of chemistry.
The syllabus is comprised of all the essential and relevant topics within general chemistry. The major topics involved include the following:
- Atomic structure
- Volumetric analysis
- Organic chemistry
- Water chemistry
- Reaction mechanisms.
There also is an option to be taken as part of the course which involves the study of atmospheric and industrial chemistry or the study of materials and electrochemistry.
Experimental investigations are an essential part of the leaving certificate course. Each student must complete at least 28 experiments over the duration of the course.
Experimental work is examined as part of the leaving cert exam and forms the basis for a minimum of three questions on the exam paper.
Exam Structure
The Leaving Certificate exam is three hours in duration. Each candidate must answer at least two questions from Section A (experimental section) and a maximum of six questions from Section B.
There are eleven questions in total on the exam paper, each carrying 50 marks.
There is no element of continuous assessment but experimental copies must be available for inspection by the State Examinations Commission. Students taking Chemistry have to memorise the chemical components of a series of prescribed experiments. They will need to present the elements of four such experiments in their exam.
Career Possibilities
Chemistry is considered most useful for careers in:
- Pharmacy
- Ag Science
- Medicine
- Engineering
- General Sciences
- Dietician
- Nursing
- Food Science
- Biotechnology