Why Choose Chemistry?

Chemistry, like all sciences, is a practical subject. Throughout the course you will carry out practical activities including:

• measuring energy changes in chemical reactions

• tests for identifying different types of compound

• different methods for measuring rates of reaction

• studying electrochemical cells

• preparation of organic solids and liquids

• an advanced form of chromatography for more accurate results.

Possible career options

Studying an A-level Chemistry related degree at university gives you all sorts of exciting career options, including:

• Analytical chemist

• Chemical engineer

• Clinical biochemist

• Pharmacologist

• Doctor

• Research scientist (physical sciences)

• Toxicologist

• Chartered certified accountant

• Environmental consultant

• Higher education lecturer

• Patent attorney

• Science writer

• Secondary school teacher.

Course Content

Chemistry is broken down into 3 key strands, all of which are taught during year 12 and year 13. These are Physical chemistry, Inorganic chemistry and Organic chemistry.

Physical Chemistry

Atomic structure, Amount of substance, Bonding, Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc, Oxidation, reduction and redox equations, Thermodynamics (A level only), Rate equations (A level only), Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems (A level only), Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A level only), Acids and bases (A level only).

Inorganic Chemistry

Periodicity, Group 2 – the alkaline earth metals, Group 7(17) – the halogens, Properties of Period 3, (A level only), Transition metals (A level only), Reactions of ions in aqueous solution (A level only).

Organic Chemistry

Introduction to organic chemistry, Alkanes, Halogenoalkanes, Alkenes, Alcohols, Organic analysis, Optical isomerism (A level only), Aldehydes and ketones (A level only), Carboxylic acids and derivatives (A level only), Aromatic chemistry (A level only), Amines (A level only), Polymers (A level only), Amino acids, proteins and DNA (A level only), Organic synthesis (A level only), Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (A level only), Chromatography (A level only).

Methods of teaching, learning and assessment

A range of taught theory lessons and practical lessons. The practical’s you will complete include making aspirin and Separation of species by thin-layer chromatography.

There are 12 required practicals and these will be assessed and recorded. Successful completion and passing the associated competencies entitles you to gain an A-Level in Chemistry ‘with practical endorsement’ – which is a requirement for most universities.

Mini assessments for each topic will be used to monitor progress, and more formal review assessments that cover all content taught up to that point will be as per 6th form policy.

Final Exams

Year 1

Paper 1 (50% of year 1): Relevant physical chemistry and inorganic chemistry topic.

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes (65 marks of short and long answer questions/15 marks of multiple choice questions)

Paper 2 (50% of year 1): Relevant physical chemistry and organic chemistry topics.

Written exam: 1 hour 30 minutes (65 marks of short and long answer questions/15 marks of multiple choice questions)

Year 2

Paper 1 (35% of A level): Relevant physical chemistry and inorganic chemistry topics.

Written exam: 2 hours (105 marks of short and long answer questions)

Paper 2 (35% of A level): Relevant physical chemistry and organic chemistry topics.

Written exam: 2 hours (105 marks of short and long answer questions)

Paper 3 (30% of A level): Any content

Written exam: 2 hours (40 marks of questions on practical techniques and data analysis, 20 marks of questions testing across the specification and 30 marks of multiple choice questions)

Opportunities for learning outside of the classroom

During the course students will have the opportunity to visit the RSC chemistry exhibition in London, along with opportunities to experience some of the experiments we cannot do in a school laboratory. Examples of this include spectroscopy in a suitcase, a workshop in which an analytical chemist will allow students to experience the hands-on nature of the work undertaken by analytical chemists in industry.

Quotes from current/ex-students

“Chemistry has allowed me to develop my problem-solving skills which will be useful for later careers” – Josh Price

“Although it was really challenging at times, I learned a lot and really enjoyed it” – George Higginson