Tanzania Ordinary Secondary Education Form III-IV Curriculum - Chemistry

This syllabus outlines the Chemistry curriculum for Forms III-IV of the Tanzania Ordinary Secondary Education. It aims to equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the composition, structure, properties, and changes of matter. The curriculum emphasizes practical skills, experimentation, and project work, fostering critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.

Form III

1. Volumetric Analysis: This section covers the mole concept, Avogadro's law, principles of volumetric analysis, preparation of standard solutions, volumetric calculations, and real-life applications of volumetric analysis in industries such as food and beverage production, medicine, and agriculture.

2. Electrochemistry and Redox Reactions: Students explore the basic tenets of electrochemistry, including redox reactions and electrolysis. Practical experiments and industrial applications, such as metal extraction, electroplating, and purification, are investigated.

3. Compounds of Metals: This topic focuses on the preparation and properties of various metal compounds, including oxides, hydroxides, carbonates, hydrogen carbonates, nitrates, chlorides, and sulphates. The curriculum also covers the oxidizing and displacement properties of non-metal compounds like oxygen, hydrogen, chlorine, hydrogen chloride, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen, ammonia, and carbon dioxide. The industrial production of sulphuric acid from sulphur dioxide is also explored.

4. Extraction of Metals: Students learn about the extraction of iron from its ore, focusing on the ores, stages, and methods of extraction.

5. Project Work: Form III initiates a research project in Chemistry, which is completed in Form IV. This project allows students to apply chemical principles to investigate scientific challenges and develop solutions.

Form IV

1. Qualitative Analysis: This section introduces the basic principles of qualitative analysis, including preliminary analysis, tests in solution, and confirmatory tests for various salts.

2. Organic Chemistry: Students explore the basic tenets of organic chemistry, focusing on organic compounds, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and alcohols. They learn to use chemical software to draw organic structures and name aliphatic hydrocarbons and alcohols using the IUPAC system. The chemical reactions of these compounds are also examined.

3. Composition of Chemical Species: This topic involves investigating the composition of chemical species in substances using systematic qualitative analysis procedures.

4. Preparation of Aliphatic Hydrocarbons and Alcohols: Students demonstrate the local and industrial preparation of aliphatic hydrocarbons and alcohols.

5. Project Work: Form IV concludes the research project started in Form III, requiring students to complete and submit a report. The project focuses on applying chemical principles to investigate scientific processes and develop solutions.