Chemistry

Chemistry is the branch of science that seeks to understand the fundamental materials from which all substances are formed and how they interact with each other. While Leaving Certificate chemistry is intended as a two-year course, some of the topics are introduced in Transition Year. As a subject chemistry is experimentally based and this is well reflected in the Leaving Certificate syllabus; there are twenty eight mandatory experiments that the students must carry out themselves and write reports on. As well as this there are numerous experiments that must be demonstrated to the students. Background theory is also a key component of the course and both theoretical and experimental aspects are examined in a single terminal examination. Currently there is no practical examination of experimental work but it is envisaged that this will be introduced in future revisions of the syllabus.