Chemistry

Our A level course is a 2 year course based on the OCR specification for Chemistry A.

A summary of the subject content is shown below:

Y12 Content

Module 1: Development of practical skills in chemistry

• Skills of planning, implementing, analysis and evaluation.

Module 2: Foundations in chemistry

• Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations.
• Amount of substances.
• Acid-base and redox reactions.
• Electrons, bonding and structure.

Module 3: The Periodic table and energy

• The periodic table and periodicity
• Group 2 and the halogens.
• Qualitative analysis.
• Enthalpy changes.
• Reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative).

Module 4: Core organic chemistry

• Basic concepts.
• Hydrocarbons.
• Alcohols and haloalkanes.
• Organic synthesis.
• Analytical techniques (IR, MS)

Y13 Content

Module 5: Physical chemistry and transition elements.

• Reaction rates and equilibrium (quantitative)
• pH and buffers
• Enthalpy, entropy and free energy
• Redox and electrode potentials
• Transition elements

Module 6: Organic chemistry and analysis.

• Aromatic chemistry
• Carbonyls chemistry
• Carboxylic acids and esters
• Nitrogen compounds.
• Polymers.
• Organic synthesis.
• Chromatography and spectroscopy (NMR).
  

Periodic table and elements and physical chemistry (01)

37% of the toal A level

2 hours 13 minutes written paper

100 marks

Candidates answer all questions

Synthesis and analytical techniques (02)

37% of the total A level

2 hours 15 minutes written paper

100 marks

Candidates answer all questions

Unified chemistry (03)

26% of the toal A level

1 hour 30 minutse written paper

70 marks

Candidates answer all questions

Practical endorsement in chemistry (04)

Non exam assessment

To be accepted onto the course you must have a minimum of a grade 66 in GCSE combined Science or a grade 6 in GCSE Chemistry plus a grade 6 in another science. Also a grade 6 in Mathematics.

TO ENSURE YOUR SUBJECT CHOICES FIT INTO THE TIMETABLE PLEASE SEE OUR BLOCKING TIMETABLE BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW TO GO TO OUR WEBSITE. SUBJECTS SHOULD BE CHOSEN IN DIFFERENT BLOCKS TO AVOID CLASHES.

Sixth Form option blocks

Chemistry opens up a world of possibilities and expands your career choices. Chemistry is often called the central science. It links with all the other sciences and underpins many branches of technology from silicon chips to brewing.

Chemistry has something for everybody. Whether or not you want to study after you leave school, there are opportunities to begin a career with chemistry. Once you have a chemistry qualification you may be surprised at just how many places you could end up working. Here are some examples:

• Manufacturing Industries including textiles, cosmetics, personal products, pharmaceuticals, food, brewing, detergents and agrochemicals - in research and development, production, waste management and pollution control, quality control, marketing, sales and technical support and general management.
• In the community - as a doctor, dentist, vet or physiotherapist - alternatively, in the pathology and biochemistry laboratories of hospitals, in government and police forensic science laboratories or as a public analyst.
• Commerce - in accountancy, banking, computing, sales and marketing, personnel. publishing and patent law.
• Education - as a teacher or technician in a school, college or university.

Not all chemists wear white coats and work in laboratories. The range of jobs available to someone with a chemistry qualification is greater than for most other qualifications. Many employers recognise the value of training in logical thought, problem solving and in numerical and communication skills that forms an integral part of all chemistry courses.

If you are thinking of university, chemistry is a good choice of subject to study at A level. It is listed as a preferred subject for more degree subjects that any other subject.