A Level Chemistry

Overview of the course:

Awarding Body - AQA

A-level Chemistry opens the door to a range of careers in areas like pharmacy, medicine, nursing, radiography, forensics, and even law and accountancy The course will give you the scientific discipline needed to study higher education science at university or get an entry level position in the industry.

This course is ideal if you are interested and intrigued by Chemistry and are keen to develop an understanding of the world of atoms, molecules and chemical reactions.
This course covers a range of topics including: Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry and Practical Chemistry and is 2 years full-time, when taken alongside two or three other A Levels.

Chemistry is fundamentally an experimental subject. The specifications provide numerous opportunities to use practical experiences to link theory to reality, and equip you with the essential practical skills you need.

You will take AS exams at the end of year one and A Level exams at the end of year two.

Topics:

Whilst studying both AS and A Level Chemistry course you will cover a range of different topics including:

Physical chemistry – atomic structure, electron configuration, moles and Avogadro’s, equations and formulae, the nature and types of chemical bonding, enthalpy change, calorimetry, kinetics, equilibrium and at A Level only thermodynamics, rate equations, equilibrium expressions, acids and bases, acid dissociation constants, pH curves, buffers and indicators, electrode potential and electrochemical cells.

Inorganic Chemistry – Periodic trends and properties of period 3 elements, group 2 trends, group 7 trends and at A Level only oxides of period 3, transition metals, ligand substitution, complexes and catalysts.

Organic Chemistry – nomenclature, reaction mechanisms, isomerism, alkanes, haloalkanes, alkenes, alcohols and at A Level only optical isomerism, carboxylic acids, aromatic chemistry, amines and polymers.

Analytical Chemistry – mass spectroscopy, infra-red spectroscopy and at A Level only proton NMR, Chromatography and organic synthesis

On this course you will be taught through a variety of different methods, theory lessons, independent research and practical experiments. You will also be expected to support self-study using the internet, text books and information sheets.

Overall, at least 20% of the marks in assessments during the course will require the use of mathematical skills. These skills will be applied in the context of chemistry and will be at least the standard of higher tier GCSE Mathematics.