Chemistry

WHAT WILL I LEARN?

Students will have the opportunity to study key chemical ideas in greater detail. Many of the ideas covered at GCSE will be revisited, but with a greater emphasis on explaining, rather than simply describing, examples of the behaviour of substances.

Structure and bonding, acidity, energetics, rates of reaction and reversible reactions are examples of concepts studied in greater depth at A Level. While studying A Level Chemistry you will develop practical skills that include making observations, collecting data, analysing experimental results and formulating conclusions. You will also gain an appreciation of how scientific models are developed and evolve, the applications and implications of Science, the benefits and risks that Science brings, and the ways in which society uses scientific theories and evidence to make decisions.

A TWO YEAR A LEVEL COURSE, EXAMINED AT THE END OF YEAR 13.

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW OR BE ABLE TO DO BEFORE TAKING CHEMISTRY IN THE SIXTH FORM?

The A Level course builds on the knowledge and understanding of Chemistry that students gain from studying GCSE Chemistry (or GCSE Double Science). Chemistry is a challenging subject so students selecting this subject are required to gain at least grade 7 in GCSE Chemistry (or 7 7 in GCSE Double Science). Numeracy skills are particularly important so it is also desirable to have at least a grade 7 in GCSE Mathematics.

Independent research skills and the ability to think critically about problems are also crucial for A Level Chemistry students. Chemistry is a practical subject so good practical skills and an ability to interpret and evaluate data are required. You should be prepared to read widely and support scientific events held at school.

• students who have an interest in the study of the material world and the production of new and beneficial substances

• students who enjoy carrying out and interpreting laboratory investigations of scientific phenomena

• students who wonder why materials behave as they do

• students who enjoy applying their minds to solving problems

• students who intend to study Medicine, Dentistry or Veterinary medicine at university

• students who want to use Chemistry to support other qualifications such as Biology, Geography and / or Physics

WHAT EXAMINATIONS WILL I HAVE TO TAKE TO GAIN MY QUALIFICATION?

There will be three examination papers at the end of the two year course which will include multiple choice questions, short response questions, calculations and extended writing questions.

THE EXAMINATIONS WILL INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING CHEMISTRY TOPICS:

• Formulae, equations and amounts of substance • Energetics • Atomic structure and the periodic table • Bonding • Organic chemistry: alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, haloalkanes, chirality, carbonyl compounds, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, arenes, nitrogen compounds and synthesis • Shapes of molecules and ions • Intermediate bonding and bond polarity • Intermolecular forces

• Redox chemistry and transition metal chemistry • The periodic table • Kinetics

• Chemical equilibria • Thermodynamics • Reaction mechanisms

• Analytical chemistry, including: mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chromatography

WHAT COULD I GO ON TO DO AT THE END OF MY COURSE?

• Follow a degree course in Chemistry,

Chemical Engineering, Medicine, Dentistry,

Biochemistry, Veterinary Medicine,

Environmental Chemistry, Geology,

Toxicology, Polymer Science, Food

Technology, Natural Sciences, Materials

Science, Pharmacy or Pharmacology.

• Chemistry, as a scientific discipline, develops the ability to think logically, to assimilate abstract concepts and to solve problems. These are important skills, valued by higher education, for subjects such as Law, Psychology and Accountancy.

• Employment in a wide range of areas related to Chemistry, including food, oil, materials, medicine, agriculture, and the environment.

To find out more about careers involving A Level Chemistry visit the Royal Society of Chemistry website: http://www.rsc.org/careers/future

FURTHER INFORMATION ON SPECIFICATIONS

OCR provides information about their new Chemistry A specification:

Go to http://www.ocr.org.uk/qualifications/as-a-levelgce-chemistry-a-h032-h432-from-2015