Chemistry
Qualification: AS/A Level EDEXCEL 8CH01/9CH01
Duration: 1 / 2 years
Chemistry is an essential subject for those wishing to read medicine, veterinary science or dentistry at University. Mathematics is a very useful subject to study alongside chemistry as a grasp of how to manipulate numbers, apply formulae and carry out calculations is integral in all of the units. The course consists of two written papers and an internally assessed practical unit in AS and in A2 chemistry.
The AS units are 'Core Principles in Chemistry' (where atomic structure, bonding and moles calculations are key elements),'Applications of Core Principles in Chemistry' (where organic chemistry is a key feature) and 'Chemistry Laboratory Skills I' which is a practical unit.
In A2 you will study 'General Principles of Chemistry I' and 'General Principles of Chemistry II' where we examine a number of organic compounds more closely as well as look at different equilibria in more detail. 'Chemistry Laboratory Skills II' which is another internally assessed unit is also studied in the A2 course.
Qualification explained
A-Level courses are divided into two parts. In the first year you will study two units of a subject leading to an AS (Advanced Subsidiary) qualification. In the second year, you can take a further two units at A2 in the same subject to gain a full A Level. (In some subjects, the courses are divided into 3 rather than 2 units at AS and A2.)
