Chemistry A level

We ask for a minimum GCSE score of 5 grades at grade 4 or above in five different subjects including English Language and Mathematics. We accept equivalent Level 2 qualifications such as BTEC and OCR Nationals but will only count them as 1 grade.

In addition most subjects require at least a grade 5 at GCSE in order to take them at Level 3. Maths and Science subjects require a grade 6.

Is this course for me?

This course requires you to be competent at mathematics in areas such as standard form, rearranging equations and problem solving. It is a challenging course but if you work hard from the start by reading through notes, reading around the subject and practising questions then you will be successful.

Specific Entry Requirements: Grade 6 in Chemistry (or Combined Science) and a Grade 5 in Maths

The Basics…..

Develop Practical skills Gain deeper understanding of the concepts of Chemistry

Be able to solve problems Advised to study another science and/or mathematics as well

What will I learn?

Content is in six modules, each divided into key topics:

1: Development of practical skills in chemistry

• Practical skills assessed in a written examination

• Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement 3: Periodic table & energy

• The periodic table and periodicity

• Group 2 and the halogens

• Qualitative analysis

• Enthalpy changes

• Reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative) 5: Physical chemistry & transition elements

• Reaction rates and equilibrium (quantitative)

• pH and buffers

• Enthalpy, entropy and free energy

• Redox and electrode potentials

• Transition elements

2: Foundations in chemistry

• Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations

• Amount of substance

• Acid–base and redox reactions

• Electrons, bonding and structure 4: Core organic chemistry

• Basic concepts

• Hydrocarbons

• Alcohols and haloalkanes

• Organic synthesis

• Analytical techniques (IR and MS) 6: Organic chemistry & analysis

• Aromatic compounds

• Carbonyl compounds

• Carboxylic acids and esters

• Nitrogen compounds

• Polymers

• Organic synthesis

• Chromatography and spectroscopy (NMR)

Britain continues to be a world leader within the chemical industry. Many of this country s largest and most successful companies are pharmaceutical and chemical companies who use the essential priciples contained in this course to produce the wealth of alloys, fibres, fertilisers, plastics, pharmaceuticals, solvents and many other chemicals which are essential for today's modern technological society.

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https://www.kesacademy.org.uk/31/subject-information/subject/4/science

The exam paper questions range in style from multiple choice to essay style questions. Questions involving mathematics and questions involving practical work will each make up 20% of the assessment total.

Students gain practical skills throughout the course. These are assessed in the written examinations and in the practical endorsement (component 04).

We expect that students will have Grade 6 in GCSE Chemistry/ Additional Science or equivalent. Additional Applied Science is not an adequate foundation for this course.

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