Chemistry (IB)

What does studying this subject involve?

What would the world be like if there weren’t any chemists? There wouldn’t be any shampoos, no medicines, no 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 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 successful at it?

Chemistry is ideal for students who have an interest in the world around us and how things work. 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.

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

You will develop analytical and mathematical skills as well as developing practical skills in using scientific equipment and ICT. You will enhance your ability to communicate effectively through presentation and written skills in applying the concepts you will be introduced to, and you will also learn how to reason clearly on complex issues.

Chemistry is about the very essence of life, the quality of life and its continuous improvement. Studying Chemistry can open windows of opportunity from marine chemistry to chemical engineering; food chemistry to neurochemistry; environmental chemistry to biological chemistry; pharmaceutical chemistry and beyond.

Many employers recognise the value of training in logical thought, numerical and communications skills. What you learn and the skills you develop while studying for a higher education qualification in chemistry will give you a firm foundation for a successful career. Major employers of chemists include pharmaceutical companies, agrochemical companies, oil companies, and the makers of detergents, paints, dyes, cosmetics and explosives. Of course opportunities for chemists are not confined to the commercial or production sector, opportunities are available to work in government, journalism, the health services, museums and many more seemingly diverse organisations.

Important things to consider / Information that students need to know.

Studying Chemistry beyond GCSE level is very demanding and requires mathematical ability, logical thinking skills and reasoning ability. These will be developed as the course progresses, however there needs to be an initial interest to apply these skills, if students are to be successful in Chemistry.

Entry requirements

A minimum of a B grade on higher Double or Separate award paper at GCSE. This is in conjunction with the general IB Diploma entrance requirements.

Similarities between the subject at GCSE and within the Diploma Programme.

Chemistry at GCSE gives the basic foundation of some of the concepts needed at IB Diploma level. There are many new ideas and areas of Chemistry introduced in the IB and many of these are much harder than what students would have encountered at GCSE. These new areas of study however are often more enjoyable than what would have been studied previously.

Differences in the subject between SL and HL.

The Standard Level (SL) IB Chemistry course covers eight core topics with two optional topics. The Higher Level (HL) IB Chemistry covers the eight core topics that is in SL plus an additional six higher level topics and two longer optional topics. HL examinations are also longer than SL.

Assessment information.

Assessment is comprised of three written papers (76%) taken at the end of the two years and a coursework component (24%) taken throughout the two years. The internal assessment (coursework) requirements are the same for all Group 4 subjects and consist of an interdisciplinary project (the “Group 4 Project”) and a mixture of short and long term practical investigations. Student work is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO.