A LEVEL CHEMISTRY
CHEMISTRY A-LEVEL
Exam Board: OCR Chemistry A
What are the benefits of the course?
This A-Level course will develop essential knowledge and understanding of the key concepts in chemistry, and the skills needed for the application of in new and challenging situations. Students will discover how the simplified models studied previously have more nuance and complexity. The course is underpinned by the practical skills and approaches, called ‘How Science Works’, which embeds context and the principles of science as a methodology. You will appreciate how chemists have greatly impacted the quality of life of generations before and will do for generations to come. You will also find out how chemists are real innovators, designing solutions to the problems that affect modern life.
Students will develop strong analytical and problem solving skills which can be applied to other courses of study. Chemistry is an important subject in its own right with many applications and implications within modern society. This course is a broad-based modular course that is suited to candidates who wish to study a range of subjects at Higher Education.
What will I study?
Physical Chemistry: Students will study: atomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, kinetics, chemical equilibria and redox reactions.
Inorganic Chemistry: Students will study: periodicity, the alkaline earth metals and the halogens.
Organic Chemistry: Students will study: introduction to organic chemistry, the alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alcohols and organic analysis.
How will I be assessed?
The course follows the OCR Chemistry A syllabus. If you study this qualification you will sit three written exams at the end of the second year.
Paper 1 assesses content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5.
Paper 2 assesses content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6.
Paper 3 assesses content from modules 1-6.
Additionally, you will complete a set of practical investigations throughout the course, which will be teacher assessed and lead to an additional practical skills grade, separate from your overall GCE grade.
What does it lead to?
A-Level Chemistry is essential if you are looking to study medicine, veterinary sciences or pursue a career in the chemical industry; be it pharmaceuticals, material sciences or chemical engineering. It is also a preferred qualification to have when looking to train in a vast number of other careers in the health, clinical or many engineering professions. Its analytical nature and focus on concise and effective communication of ideas makes it a very well respected course among many other fields, such as accounting and journalism.
Entry Requirements:
A minimum of grade 6-6 in GCSE Science. Additionally a grade 5 in GCSE English and Maths, grade 6 preferred.
Staff Contact:
Mr J Swynford-Lain, A-level Chemistry Lead
Mrs G Powell, Chemistry Teacher [Assistant Headteacher]