Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)

The Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) is for students in Stage 6. Find out more about the syllabus and access teaching and learning support materials.

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Read the record of changes to learn about updates to the syllabus and assessment. View all Science syllabuses on the NSW Curriculum website.

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New syllabus implemented from 2028

The new Chemistry 11–12 Syllabus (2025) is to be implemented from 2028.

2025 to 2027

• Plan and prepare to teach Chemistry 11–12 Syllabus (2025)

2028, Term 1

• Start teaching Chemistry 11–12 Syllabus (2025) for Year 11
• Start implementing new Year 11 school-based assessment requirements
• Continue to teach the Chemistry Stage 6 Syllabus (2017) for Year 12

2028, Term 4

• Start teaching Chemistry 11–12 Syllabus (2025) for Year 12
• Start implementing new Year 12 school-based assessment requirements

2029

• First HSC examination for Chemistry 11–12 Syllabus (2025)

About the course

In Chemistry students develop their knowledge, understanding and skills. They learn about a variety of chemical reactions incorporating organic and inorganic compounds.

Course description

The Year 11 course develops the knowledge, understanding and skills in relation to the properties and structures of matter, the types and drivers of chemical reactions and how we measure the quantities involved in these processes.

The Year 12 course builds on the concepts introduced in Year 11 by examining particular classes of chemicals, processes and a variety of chemical reactions which incorporate organic compounds and acid/base equilibrium reactions. The course challenges students to apply this knowledge to the investigation of a range of methods used in identifying and measuring quantities of chemicals, which leads to an understanding of the structure, properties and trends of and between classes of chemicals.

Students who have shown an achievement in, and/or aptitude for, any of the Stage 6 Science courses: Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Environmental Science, Investigating Science or Physics in Year 11 may choose to study Science Extension in Year 12.

What students learn

Year 11 course

The Year 11 course consists of four modules:

Module 1 Properties and Structure of Matter
Module 2 Introduction to Quantitative Chemistry
Module 3 Reactive Chemistry
Module 4 Drivers of Reactions

Year 12 course

The Year 12 course consists of four modules:

Module 5 Equilibrium and Acid Reactions
Module 6 Acid/base Reactions
Module 7 Organic Chemistry
Module 8 Applying Chemical Ideas

Course numbers and exclusions

Board Developed Course

Course number(s):

11050 Chemistry (2 units – Year 11)
15050 Chemistry (2 units – Year 12)

Prerequisites: Nil

Corequisites: Nil

Pattern of study: A student may count up to:

Year 11: Six units of Science
Year 12: Seven units of Science

to satisfy pattern of study requirements for the HSC.

Eligibility: Nil

Study via self-tuition: No

Exclusions:

16648 Chemical World Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 11)
16648 Chemical World Science Life Skills (2 units – Year 12)

Course requirements

Students are provided with 15 hours of course time for depth studies in both Year 11 and Year 12. During this time students may undertake an investigation/activity that allows for the further development of one or more scientific concepts.

A depth study may be one investigation/activity or a series of investigations/activities. Depth studies may be included in one module or across several modules.

Practical investigations are an essential part of the Year 11 and Year 12 courses and must occupy a minimum of 35 hours of course time each year.

Related industries

The knowledge and skills developed in this course can be applied across a range of career pathways.

Industries related to this course include, but are not limited to, the following outlined on the Your Career website: