Chemistry - programme subject in Programmes for Specialization in General Studies (KJE1-01)

Laid down as a regulation by the Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training on 3 April 2006 as delegated in a letter of 26 September 2005 from the Ministry of Education and Research pursuant to the Act of 17 July 1998 no. 61 relating to primary and secondary education (Education Act) Section 3-4 first paragraph.

Gjelder fra: 2006-08-01T00:00:00 +2

Gjelder til: 2022-07-31T00:00:00 +2

Purpose

Everything in nature and everything that lives consists of matter, or substance. Chemists research, determine and describe how substances are built up at a micro level, and on this basis explain their properties and how substances react. The development of the science of chemistry is the result of an interaction between experiment and theory. This interaction is reflected in the programme subject Chemistry, in which the planning and implementation of experiments play a key role.

Chemists make an important contribution to the development of biotechnology, nanotechnology, medicine, pharmacy, environmental science, new materials and new energy sources. Through the programme subject, the individual shall acquire an insight into the significance of chemical research on technology and economic development. The programme subject shall help pupils understand how substances affect the environment, and how the development of new industrial methods can reduce strain on the environment. In this way, the programme subject can help focus on the environment and sustainable development. At the same time, the programme subject shall make it clear that chemical research is subject to ethical criteria.

The purpose of the programme subject is to create interest in chemistry and natural science, and at the same time provide the knowledge necessary for participating in current debate. In this programme subject, the individual shall develop confidence in natural science concepts and scientific working methods, and learn how to assess one’s own work and results. One of the purposes of the programme subject is to provide insight into the significance of chemistry and its various applications in everyday life and society. The historical development of the subject is part of our cultural heritage, and this should come across in the teaching.

Training in chemistry shall link theory with practical laboratory work. Teaching arenas outside the school, in laboratories and companies, can provide an insight into how chemistry is put to practical use in society. Knowledge and competence in chemistry are important in many professions and can provide a good basis for further studies.

Structure

Chemistry comprises two programme subjects: Chemistry 1 and Chemistry 2. Chemistry 2 builds on Chemistry 1.

These programme subjects have been structured into main subject areas, for which competence aims have been formulated. The main subject areas complement each other, and should be viewed in relation to one another.

Overview of the main subject areas:

Programme subject	Main subject areas
Chemistry 1	Language and models in chemistry	Methods and experimentation	Water chemistry	Acids and bases	Organic chemistry 1
Chemistry 2	Research	Analysis	Organic chemistry 2	Redox reactions	Materials

Main subject areas

Language and models in chemistry

This main subject area deals with chemical nomenclature, and chemical phenomena are explained by models at a micro level. It also deals with how chemical reactions are described by equations and how these equations are used to evaluate and estimate resource use and yield. The main subject area also gives an insight into how models have changed in the course of history.

Methods and experimentation

This main subject area deals with how knowledge in chemistry is gained through processes that involve hypotheses, experimentation, observations, evaluation and reasoned conclusions. It also deals with the fact that chemistry is a practical discipline that uses laboratory equipment and analytical processes, and how theories and models are tested and illustrated through experiments.

Water chemistry

This main subject area deals with the structure and properties of water and aquatic solutions. It also deals with the evaluation of the solubility of substances in water in everyday life as well as environmental and industrial contexts.

Acids and bases

This main subject area deals with acids, bases and pH. It also deals with how chemical processes in water are affected by pH. The subject area also covers experiments and calculations linked to everyday life, healthcare, industrial processes and research.

Organic chemistry 1

This main subject area deals with natural and synthetic organic substances. The central element in the subject area is the structure of organic substances and how they react. In addition, it deals with nomenclature, which is used to systemize the increasingly large number of organic compounds.

Research

This main subject area deals with current research in chemistry and with what is required to prove the reliability of research findings.

Analysis

This main subject area deals with methods of chemical analysis, which are used to control both quality and quantity in numerous contexts. It also deals with open experimentation and instrumental analyses.

Organic chemistry 2

This main subject area deals with how organic substances react. In addition to focusing on practical work and experiments, it deals with the determination and description of the composition, functions and reactions of organic molecules. The main subject area also covers biochemical reactions linked to energy conversion in living cells.

Redox reactions

This main subject area deals with corrosion, combustion reactions and electrochemistry. It also involves linking these subjects to a large selection of experiments, which provides a basis for many types of calculations.

Materials

This main subject area deals with polymers and nano materials. In addition, it deals with possible environmental impacts from the production, use and controlled dumping of different materials.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours are given in 60-minute units.

Chemistry 1: 140 teaching hours per year

Chemistry 2: 140 teaching hours per year

Basic skills

Basic skills are integrated into the competence aims for this course in areas where they contribute to the development of and are part of the subject competence. In the Chemistry programme subject, basic skills are understood as follows:

Being able to express oneself orally and in writing in Chemistry involves the precise evaluation and presentation of one’s case in scientific discussions, as well as the planning and implementation of experiments and field trips. This includes describing observations and experiences from nature and the laboratory in the terminology of chemistry. This means formulating questions and hypotheses and presenting results.

Being able to read in Chemistry means gathering relevant information from a document and understanding articles on chemistry that vary in degree of difficulty. This means understanding texts, tables and diagrams from textbooks, reference works, newspapers, journals, advertisements and the Internet.

Numeracy in Chemistry involves calculating quantities, concentrations and pH values, and evaluating the results. It means working with and interpreting formulas, models and various types of data, as well as solving equations.

Being able to use digital tools in Chemistry involves collecting scientific information and examining, recording, processing and presenting results from personal observations. It means being able to use digital tools to simulate experiments that can be time-consuming, costly or hazardous. It also means using animations to illustrate and explain chemistry-related concepts.