Chemistry
Examining Body: OCR
Entry Criteria: Admission to all of our Level 3 courses requires a minimum of five grade 4 GCSE passes; these must include at least grade 4 in Maths and English Language. Additionally, Grade 6-6 in GCSE Combined Science or 6 in GCSE Chemistry.
Chemistry shapes and underpins our relationship with the world around us, from manufacturing materials to producing medicines. During your A-level, you will study how chemicals interact on a molecular level, and the many ways in which chemical reactions can be used in a variety of settings and processes. Chemistry is the bridge between the other Natural Sciences, so you will develop knowledge and skills that will link to both Biology and Physics. If you master this critically important subject, it will open doors for you into a broad range of exciting careers and professions.
The specification is split into six modules:
1. Development of Practical Skills in Chemistry;
2. Foundations in Chemistry;
3. Periodic Table and Energy;
4. Core Organic Chemistry and Analysis;
5. Physical Chemistry and Transition Elements;
6. Organic Chemistry and Analysis.
The course is examined with 3 exam papers: Periodic Table, Elements and Physical Chemistry, Synthesis and Analytical Techniques, and Unified Chemistry.
The teaching of the Chemistry course is divided to reflect the structure of the three exam papers at the end of year 13, with one teacher focusing on the content from paper 1 and another focusing on the content from paper 2. Paper 1 includes content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5, which focuses on Inorganic and physical chemistry. Paper 2 is made up from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6 and covers organic and analytical chemistry. Paper 3 is a synoptic paper that could have content from any of the six modules in the specification.
The Foundations in Chemistry unit builds on much of the content from GCSE and lays the foundations for the rest of the course. It doesn’t matter if you have done combined science of triple/separate science GCSE, this unit aims to get everyone to the same place so you can tackle the rest of the course with confidence and a solid foundation. While the Foundations unit has the greatest crossover with GCSE you will find throughout the course that the content you have already studied at GCSE keeps coming up as the cornerstone of what we are doing in lessons.
The Natural Sciences are fundamentally practical subjects and as such the developments and refinement of practical skills is an important part of the course and is regularly assessed throughout. There are a number of practical activities that students are expected to have done over the two years of study, including synthesis and purification of organic compounds, various methods of chemical analysis, chemical kinetics and electrochemical processes. Students are expected to demonstrate the ability to use practical equipment safely, follow written instructions, record measurements, and present their data in a scientific way. This will result in the successful completion of the practical endorsement. While the practical endorsement does not affect the grade achieved at A Level it is important for anyone wishing to continue studying Chemistry, Medicine, or Veterinary Sciences at University or for those wanting to go to work or do higher level apprenticeships in a STEM sector.
