NCEA Level 3 Chemistry

The Chemistry course at Year 13 is based on the NCEA Level 3 Chemistry achievement standards and Level 8 of the New Zealand Curriculum. The syllabus builds on the knowledge gained in Chemistry at the Year 12 level. Therefore good practical and theoretical knowledge is required from Year 12 Chemistry in order to gain the most from the Level 3 course.

The content of this course aims to give students the chemical understanding in order to successfully go on to study Chemistry at a tertiary level. Chemistry has been described as the “central science” because there are few sciences where at least some knowledge of Chemistry is not a requirement. Many students study Chemistry in order to fulfill requirements for another field of interest, such as medicine, engineering, pharmacy, biology or physiotherapy.

It may be advisable for those considering a career based in the sciences to check what level of Chemistry is required, since many university and some polytechnic courses require Chemistry equivalent to or beyond Year 13 level.

Students selecting Year 13 Chemistry will be given the choice of being in a class doing more internal credits or more external credits. Students taking Chemistry will be given more information about these options in Term 4 and we will endeavor to place students into their preferred option.