Chemistry

This course can be combined with others and goes particularly well with Biology, Maths (A Level or Core Maths), Physics and Geology.

You will study an AS Level in the first year. This course is designed to provide a smooth transition from GCSE Chemistry courses and to interface with the needs of Higher Education courses or the needs of a science career in industry. It provides an appreciation and understanding of important chemical principles which are fundamental to the understanding of the world in which we live. The course also encourages students to come to understand how scientists investigate scientific phenomena in their attempts to explain the world around us. Students develop their practical skills to complement their understanding of chemical concepts. The study of chemistry is useful in understanding other areas of science.

This course is ideal if you enjoy problem solving, building connections within subject knowledge and understanding the scientific principles behind processes.

You will be taught through lectures, practical work, problem solving and discussions. You will have access to fully equipped laboratories and PCs with interactive media. Assessment is by written examinations, which will include the assessment of your knowledge of practical procedures. In the first year you will sit two 90 minute exams and in the second year you will sit three 120 minute exams. In addition to the written papers, you will complete 12 required practicals throughout the course using a range of chemical and analytical techniques. This will lead to a Practical Endorsement alongside your A Level.

What topics will I study?

Chemistry is divided into distinct disciplines that are assessed in all the written papers across the two years.

Physical Chemistry includes the study of:

• Atomic structure and periodic trends
• Amount of substance
• Bonding and structure
• Kinetics and equilibria
• Redox and electrochemistry

Organic Chemistry includes the study of:

• Alkanes, alkenes, aromatic systems and halogenoalkanes
• Alcohols, aldehydes and ketones
• Carboxylic acids and their derivatives
• Amines, amino acids, proteins and DNA
• Polymers, mechanisms and organic synthetic methods

Inorganic Chemistry includes the study of:

• Group 2, the alkaline earth metals
• Group 7, the halogens
• Properties of period 3 elements and their oxides
• Transition metals and their complexes
• Reactions of ions in aqueous solution

Analytical Chemistry includes the study of:

• Isomerism and identification of functional group by test tube reactions.
• Infrared spectroscopy
• Time of flight mass spectrometry
• Thin-layer, column and gas chromatography
• Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

You will:

• Gain an appreciation of important chemical principles which are fundamental to our understanding of the world
• Learn how scientists investigate scientific phenomena in their attempts to explain the world
• Undertake practical work in new well-equipped modern laboratories
• Study physical, organic and inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry techniques and chemistry in action

Future Steps: You could progress to university level and then on to careers in chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, pharmaceuticals, forensic science, medicine and related subjects. A scientific training stands you in good stead for careers in a whole range of occupations, including management, accounting, IT, finance and law.

You will need grade 4 in English Language, grade 6 in Maths, grade 6 in Chemistry, grade 6 in Biology or Physics or grade 66 in science, plus four more GCSEs at grade 4 or above.

You will have access to new fully equipped laboratories in the Maths and Science Centre and PCs with a wealth of information and learning tools on the chemistry intranet as well as access to a Learning Resource Centre (LRC).

There are some costs of materials and resources.