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Chemistry

The study of Chemistry opens up many career prospects in the chemical industry e.g. oil industry, cosmetic and household products, polymers, construction, heavy industry and speciality chemicals. It is also a pre-requisite for other careers which are not exclusively chemistry based such as medicine, veterinary, dentistry, pharmacy, biochemistry, forensic science and engineering.

The Chemistry A Level OCR specification aims to encourage learners to:

Develop essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other.
Develop and demonstrate a deep appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods.
Develop competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem solving skills.
Develop their interest in and enthusiasm for the subject, including developing an interest in further study and careers associated with the subject.
Understand how society makes decisions about scientific issues and how the sciences contribute to the success of the economy and society.

Please look at this link for A Level Chemistry on the AQA website

Entry Requirements

Grade 5 in GCSE English and Maths and Grade 6/6 in Double Science or Grade 6 in Chemistry.

Future Opportunities

Chemistry occupies a central and pivotal position in the sciences and its study develops an appreciation of many aspects of our complex and technical society. Its study opens up many career prospects in the chemical industry e.g. petrochemicals, formulations and household products, polymers, bulk commodities and speciality chemicals. It is also a prerequisite for other careers e.g. medicine, veterinary science, dentistry, pharmacy, food science, agricultural science, engineering and many, many more.

Course Content & Assessment

Course Content

Module 1	Module 2	Module 3
Development of practical skills in Chemistry	Foundations in Chemistry	Periodic table and Energy
Practical skills assessed in a written examination	Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations	The Periodic Table and Periodicity
Practical skills assessed in the practical endorsement	Amount of substance	Group 2 and the Halogens
	Acid–base and redox reactions	Qualitative Analysis
	Electrons, bonding and structure	Enthalpy Changes
		Reaction Rates and Equilibrium (qualitative)
Module 4	Module 5	Module 6
Core Organic Chemistry	Physical Chemistry and Transition Elements	Organic Chemistry and Analysis
Basic concepts	Reaction Rates and Equilibrium (quantitative)	Aromatic Compounds
Hydrocarbons	pH and Buffers	Carbonyl Compounds
Alcohols and Haloalkanes	Enthalpy, Entropy and Free Energy	Carboxylic Acids and Esters
Organic Synthesis	Redox and Electrode Potentials	Nitrogen Compounds
Analytical Techniques (IR and MS)	Transition Elements	Polymers
		Organic Synthesis
		Chromatography and Spectroscopy (NMR)

ASSESSMENT

Component 01 assesses content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5

Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry (01)
100 marks
2 hours 15 minutes written paper
37% of total ‘A’ level

Component 02 assesses content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6

Synthesis and analytical techniques (02)
100 marks
2 hours 15 minutes written paper
37% of total ‘A’ level

Component 03 assesses content from all modules (1 to 6)

Unified Chemistry (03)
70 marks
1 hour 30 minutes written paper
26% of total ‘A’ level

Practical endorsement in Chemistry (04)

(non-exam assessment) Reported separately

All exams will be taken at the end of Year 13.

Science Department

Subject Leader	Mrs J Pennington-Wright
Key Stage 3 Co-ordinator	Mrs K Ross
Key Stage 4 Co-ordinator	Mrs L Sanday
Key Stage 5 Co-ordinator	Dr K Irlam
	Mrs K Brett
	Ms L Casson
	Mrs N Everitt
	Miss A McLeod
	Mrs R Monks
	Mrs A Newton
	Mrs B Povey
	Mrs M Salaga
	Mrs S Tunstall
	Miss A Waddicor
	Mr S Wright