Chemistry AS and A Level
Science and Mathematics


What will you be working towards?
Code | TPT10 |
Qualification Type | GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent |
Qualification Level | Level 3 |
Course type | Full Time |
Overview
Studying chemistry after your GCSEs leads to hundreds of courses at college or university and thousands of different jobs. Employers like candidates who can think for themselves and they are even happier if the subject has an analytical approach, with some evidence that you are not scared of calculations.
Details
A Level Chemistry will inspire students, nurture their passion for chemistry and lay the foundations for further study. It covers the three main areas of chemistry; physical, inorganic and organic.
Physical Chemistry
- Atomic structure
- Amount of substance
- Bonding
- Energetics
- Kinetics
- Chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier's principle
- Oxidation, reduction and redox equations
- Thermodynamics
- Rate equations
- Equilibrium constant Kc for homogenous systems
- Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
- Acids and bases
Inorganic Chemistry
- Periodicity
- Group 2, the alkaline earth metals
- Group 7, the halogens
- Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides
- Transition metals
- Reactions of ions in aqueous solution
Organic Chemistry
- Introduction to organic chemistry
- Alkanes
- Halogenoalkanes
- Alkenes
- Alcohols
- Organic analysis
- Optical isomerism
- Aldehydes and ketones
- Carboxylic acids and derivatives
- Aromatic chemistry
- Amines
- Polymers
- Amino acids, proteins and DNA
- Organic synthesis
- Nuclear magnetic resonance and spectroscopy
- Chromatography
Those subjects in bold are studided in the AS year.
How will it be delivered?
AS Level:
Paper 1 - 1 hour 30 minutes - 50% of AS
Paper 2 - 1 hour 30 minutes - 50% of AS
A Level:
Paper 1 - 2 hours - 35% of A Level
Paper 2 - 2 hours - 35% of A Level
Paper 3 - 2 hours - 30% of A Level
Entry requirements
6 in GCSE Chemistry and a 6 in another Science, or 6 and 6 in Combined Science, and a 6 in Maths.
Your next steps...
There are many jobs that are directly related to chemistry: Forensic scientist, Polymer/plastics/textiles chemist, Chemical engineer, Analytical chemist, Biochemist, Environmental chemist, Chemistry teacher or lecturer, Chemistry product sales, Pharmacist, Pharmacveutical testing, Military technology, Food technologist, Nutritionist, Cosmetic technologist, Science journalist, Gas/Petroleum geologist. As well as these, there are jobs where chemistry 'A' level is a course requirement: Nurse, Physiotherapist, Occupational therapist, Doctor, Vet, Dentist. And jobs where chemistry is useful: Hairdresser/beauty therapist, Policeman/detective, Farming/Agricultural industry, Psychologist/psychiatrist, Geologist/oceanographer/diver, Glassmaking, Fire safety, Architects/builders/structural engineers, Environmental scientists, Writer, Electronic chip manufacture, Deep sea diver, Insurance loss assessor, Geographer/geologist, Any manufacturing industry. There are also some jobs that you wouldn't think were related to chemistry, but it's the depth of thinking that's important: Accountant, PE teacher, Patent lawyer, Stockbroker, Export sales, Taxation and customs, Production manager. If you have chemistry, it is fairly easy to go and do any of these jobs or something similar or even change completely.