Examination Board: AQA

Subject Content:

The specification has been arranged into the traditional three branches of physical, inorganic and organic chemistry.

Physical Chemistry includes atomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, kinetics, chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s principle leading on to rate equations, equilibrium constant for homogeneous systems, electrode potentials and electrochemical cells.

Inorganic chemistry will cover periodicity, group 2 and group 7 elements, group 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals and reactions of ions in aqueous solutions.

In organic chemistry students will study alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alkenes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, aromatic chemistry, amines, polymers, amino acids, proteins and DNA, organic synthesis and analysis.

Students will also study analytical techniques of infrared spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and chromatography.

Assessment: Paper 1:

Inorganic chemistry with relevant physical chemistry

Relevant practical skills

Written exam:  2 hours, 105 marks (a mixture of short and long answer questions), 35% of A level

Paper 2:

Organic chemistry with relevant physical chemistry

Relevant practical skills

Written exam:  2 hours, 105 marks (a mixture of short and long answer questions), 35% of A level

Paper 3:

All practical skills

All content

Written exam: 2hours, 90 marks – 40 marks on practical techniques and data analysis, 20 marks on testing across the specification and 30 marks on multiple choice questions.

Skills acquired:

• Planning and designing of experiments
• Manipulation of apparatus
• Observation and recording
• Interpretation of experimental results
• Problem solving
• Logical thinking

Practical work:

There will be no internal assessment that leads to marks that contribute towards the A-level grade (no coursework or controlled assessment). Practical work will be assessed in the written paper – 15% of the total A- level marks will be for practical knowledge and understanding.

A separate ‘endorsement’ of practical work will be assessed by teachers. This will not be graded. If students pass, it will be reported on their certificate.

Mathematical requirements:

Overall, at least 20% of the marks in assessments for chemistry will require the use of mathematical skills. These skills will be applied in the context of chemistry A-level and will be at least the standard of higher tier GCSE mathematics. Skills include arithmetic and numerical computation, handling data, algebra, graphs, geometry and trigonometry.

What kinds of students are most suited to this course?

• Students who enjoy practical work and want to develop their skills in the laboratory.
• Students who are interested in the social, economic, environmental and technological applications of chemistry in everyday life.
• Students who are able to visualise abstract ideas.
• Students  who  want  to  stimulate  and  sustain  their  interest  in chemistry.

What options might be open to a student at the end of the course

• Follow a degree course in Chemistry, Materials Science, Forensic Science, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Science, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Physiotherapy and Pharmacy.
• Follow a more vocational course in Applied Chemistry, Sports Studies, Horticulture and Beauty Therapy.
• Gain employment in Pharmacy, Analytical Laboratories.

What other courses often combine successfully with this?

Biology, Geography, Mathematics, Physics, Product Design and Textiles. The Russell Group universities regard Chemistry highly and favour applications with these keystone subjects.

Quotation from student:

“Chemistry isn’t just about wearing a white coat!  It’s amazing that chemistry is everywhere and the course really made me appreciate how much our modern world relies on things like polymers and the development of alternative fuels in the future.”