Chemistry A Level

The course encourages students to develop essential knowledge and understanding of the concepts of chemistry and to appreciate the contributions of chemistry to society.

Practical work is seen as integral to the teaching of the theory and students will carry out practical work within the context of the theory units.

A-Level mathematics is not a requirement to complete the course, however, 20% of the course is based on mathematical skills.

A Level

Physical chemistry • Atomic Structure, Amount of Substance, Bonding, Energetics, Kinetics, Equilibria, Redox Reactions, Thermodynamics, Rate Equations, Electrode Potentials and Electrochemical Cells; and Acids and Bases

Inorganic chemistry • Periodicity, Alkaline Earth Metals, Halogens, Transition Metals and Reactions of Ions in Aqueous Solution

Organic chemistry • Nomenclature, Alkanes, Halogenoalkanes, Alkenes, Alcohols, Organic Analysis, Isomerism, Aldehydes and Ketones, Carboxylic Acids and their derivatives, Aromatic Chemistry, Amines, Amino Acids, Proteins and DNA, Organic Synthesis, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Chromatography

Practical Assessment

This is based on marks in the written exam; however practical skills will be assessed by teachers through direct observation of a range of skills and are divided into those that can be assessed in written exams and those that can only be directly assessed while students are carrying out experiments. A separate endorsement of practical skills will be assessed by teachers and will be based on direct observations of student’s competency in a range of skills.

This course is 100% examination assessed with practical endorsements.

Grade 6 in Chemistry or a 6 and 6 in the Combined Award Science and Grade 6 in Mathematics.

Students develop skills in organisation, logic, practical and mathematics.

This course is a stepping stone to further education and for anyone wishing to pursue medicine, dentistry and veterinary science, as well as chemistry based degrees such as pharmacy, pharmacology and biochemistry.