A Level Chemistry
What does this qualification cover?
Students gain an exciting and fascinating insight into the world of Chemistry. The course covers the core concepts of Chemistry and practical skills and the impact it has on industry. research and how that links to everyday life. More generally, studying this subject at post-16 will provide you with a solid grounding in critical and analytical thinking, writing reports with clear communication skills as well as honing your teamworking and practical laboratory skills.
The course allows students to explore the building blocks of atoms, compounds and molecules and the periodic table to a greater level as well as periodicity and the key properties of certain groups. Students will discover polymers and organic synthesis and the uses of these as well as the impact on the environment. The course takes a look into acid-base and redox reactions and how these can be used.
The course also takes an in-depth look at rates of reaction and equilibrium and the economical and environmental impacts of them. Research and analytical techniques such as infra-red spectroscopy and chromatography are investigated.
You will study 3 core content areas modules over the two years of the course you will achieve competency in a series of practical, researching and reporting skills. Knowledge of these experimental procedures and practical skills will also be assessed through examination.
What’s included?
The content is in 3 traditional core areas:
- Physical chemistry
- Inorganic chemistry
- Organic chemistry
You will be rewarded for the skills and knowledge you have developed, through the exams which include:
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- Specified content tested in each of the first two papers to help students prepare for their exams
- A variety of assessment styles so students can confidently engage with the questions
- Multiple choice questions, which allow for a wide breadth of the chemistry from the specifications to be tested.
Key Features
Interesting and challenging learning experience linking key chemical ideas and understanding how they relate to each other. Developing transferable skills that are useful outside of scientific study and directly applicable to the world of work including:
- Investigative skills
- Problem solving
- Research
- Decision making
- Mathematical skills
- Analytical skills
- Communication skills
The practical aspect allows students to become competent in following procedures, investigative approaches using a range of scientific instruments and equipment, working safely, making and recording observations.
Links to workplace
By choosing to study A Level chemistry as part of your programme of study you will gain access to a wide range of potential courses at University related to healthcare such as medicine, pharmacy and dentistry.
Gaining A Level chemistry can also be useful in the fields of:
Forensics
- Environmental protection
- The police and emergency services (e.g. paramedic, crime scene investigator or police officer)
- And many other potential careers.