Chemistry

What does studying Chemistry involve?

What would the world be like if there weren’t any chemists? There wouldn’t be any shampoos, no medicines, mo crease free/machine washable clothes and you wouldn’t be able to even think about having an iPod that would be light enough to carry around in your pocket! Think how lots of super models and celebrities would look like if there wasn’t any make-up? These types of industries rely on chemists to manufacture and discover new materials to make our lives easier and without a chemist’s skills in manipulating chemicals into a variety of combinations the pharmaceutical industry wouldn’t exist.

Studying AS/A2 Chemistry will enable you to begin to understand how these chemicals can be made and discovered. You will be taught the basic concepts of chemical activity and how to analyse chemicals in order to discover what it you is that makes them work the way they do.

How will I know if I would be good at it?

If you have a fascination for the world around you and how it works then Chemistry is for you. You will need to have obtained a B grade in either Double Award Science at or a B grade in Chemistry at GCSE. An aptitude for maths is also necessary as is the ability to be able to apply the knowledge that you have gained. Independent learning is encouraged so that students can enhance their experiences in the classroom and the laboratory.

Modules that you will cover and assessment

There are six modules, in total, in order to gain a full A-level qualification.

The AS Chemistry is divided into three Units.
• Unit 1 covers Structure and Bonding; Atomic Structure; Formulae, Equations and Moles Oxidation and Reduction; along with Chemistry of groups in the Periodic table.
• Unit 2 continues to build on the foundation material from Unit 1 and introduces Organic Chemistry; Energetics; Kinetics; Equilibria and how they apply to Industrial Inorganic Chemistry.
• Unit 3 is divided into two parts. Unit 3a consists of continuous practical assessment throughout the year and combines with a written examination for Unit 3b.

A2 Chemistry is also divided into three Units.

• Unit 4 extends the themes of Periodicity. Equilibria and Functional Group Chemistry.
• Unit 5 looks at Quantitative equilibria, Transition Metals and Applied Organic Chemistry.
• Unit 6 is similar to Unit 3, in that there are practical assessments throughout the year. However the final Unit 6b written examination contains synoptic material from the whole two year course.

The final A2 grade is made up of 50% from AS and 50% from the A2 course.

Examination Board: Edexcel

What skills will I develop and where could studying this subject lead?

You will develop analytical and mathematical skills as well as communication skills in applying the concepts you will be introduced to. A2 builds on the topics studied at AS and links very well with other AS/A2 subjects such as Biology, Physics, Mathematics, Psychology, Health and Social Care and even non-science subjects such as languages, Drama and English.