AS/A2 Chemistry

AS/A2 Chemistry

Why study Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of substances: what they are made of, how they interact and their role in living things. Everything around you involves chemistry in some way. Chemists provide many of the materials of everyday life, they provide the knowledge required to improve healthcare and to tackle the major environmental problems faced by the world today.

Chemists are involved in the creation of new molecules with unique properties. They are actively involved in the fight against diseases such as cancer, malaria and Aids.

Reasons for choosing to study chemistry:

• You enjoy investigating how and why chemical reactions occur, together with looking at patterns that exist in chemical behaviour


• You want to develop a variety of skills including the ability to think analytically


• You want to understand chemistry based technology that is influential in the world today
  


• You wish to follow a career in chemistry itself or your chosen career requires A level Chemistry
  

A qualification in chemistry is highly valued and leads to a wide variety of careers.

Knowledge of chemistry gives a better insight into the world around you and can lead to a career rich in challenge, variety and opportunity.

What are the entry requirements?
The AS part of the course should be within your ability if you have achieved grade B in Chemistry (or BB in Core and Additional Science) at GCSE at the higher tier. Some mathematical ability is essential including basic numerical skills, the rearrangement of formulae, and calculations of ratio and percentage. You will need a willingness to work conscientiously, both in college and at home.

What will I study and how will it be assessed?
The course is designed to allow a smooth transition from GCSE to A-level. It covers many of the topics studied at GCSE but develops them further and introduces some new topics. Lessons will involve student centred activities and interactive teaching methods wherever possible, to stimulate discussion, develop understanding and allow for individual teacher-student interaction. A wide range of activities is used including laboratory practical investigations, data analysis, group-work, analytical analysis and use of ILT. We have an extensive VLE to support your studies.

The atmosphere in lessons is supportive and friendly and students are encouraged to seek help and have opportunity to do so. Your progress will be monitored regularly through homework exercises and class tests. There is support by staff and peer mentoring by upper sixth students, should difficulties occur. Practical skills are important and there is plenty of opportunity to develop these through a structured programme of laboratory work. All your practical work will support and develop your understanding of the theory. Practical skills assessments will take place periodically throughout the course.

Awarding body: OCR Specification A

AS Level
Unit 1[30%]: A foundation unit building on materials covered in GCSE courses, e.g. structure, bonding, electron configurations, the mole and equations.

Unit 2[50%]: A unit including some organic chemistry (e.g. alkanes and alcohols) and physical chemistry (e.g. rates of reaction and energy changes) as well as modern analytical methods and green chemistry.

Unit 3[20%]: Internally-assessed practical skills.

A2 Level
Unit 4 [30%]: Further organic chemistry and more coverage of modern analytical techniques, including nuclear magnetic resonance.

Unit 5 [50%]: Further physical and inorganic chemistry, including rates, equilibrium, entropy, electrode potentials, energy for the future, and environmental issues.

Unit 6 [20%]: Internally-assessed practical skills.

Where might it lead me?
Chemists are employed in a variety of professions including:

• Chemical Industry (Research and Development, Process Research, Analytical Chemistry, Technical Sales and Marketing)


• Public Services


• Academia and Teaching


• Publishing


• Technical Writing


• Patent Law

Chemistry is an essential subject for those wishing to study:

• medicine


• veterinary science


• pharmacy


• dentistry

Chemistry is also recommended for students who intend to enter degree courses in:

• biology or biological sciences engineering


• forensic science


• geology


• materials science.

It is a highly regarded subject and is useful for entry into a wide variety of professions. Chemistry graduates are found in professions as wide ranging as banking and accountancy, law, sport and art restoration in addition to chemistry related careers.