OCR
Chemistry is the study of matter and how it interacts; for example, how atoms form chemical bonds to each other or how complex molecules such as drugs are produced. It is a key route to many careers such as Medicine, Veterinary Science, Pharmacy and Dentistry. Other popular career paths that need chemistry are the environmental sciences, biochemistry, forensic science, analytical sciences, nursing, chemical engineering and of course chemistry itself.
How is the course structured?
Content is split into 6 teaching modules:
Module 1 - Development of practical skills in chemistry. This module involves practical investigations that get progressively more challenging. Students are required to keep a portfolio of their work to help them with examination questions that are based around practical skills learnt over two years.
Module 2 - Foundations in Chemistry. This module builds on knowledge from GCSE covering topics such as atoms, compounds, molecules and equations. It introduces more complex mathematical problems and develops a more comprehensive model of bonding.
Module 3- Periodic Table and Energy. This module examines the periodic table and periodicity and the uses of elements in society. Reaction rates and enthalpy changes are concepts that are developed with the use of more complex mathematical techniques.
Module 4 - Core Organic Chemistry. The basic principles of organic chemistry are introduced looking at functional groups such as alkanes, alkenes, alcohols and haloalkanes. How to prepare organic molecules using synthetic techniques is studied alongside the identification and analysis of molecules using techniques such as Mass Spectroscopy and Infra-Red Spectroscopy.
Module 5 - Physical Chemistry and Transition Elements. This module includes advanced study of rates of reaction and equilibrium form a quantitative perspective. pH and buffers, enthalpy, entropy, redox reactions and electrode potentials and transition elements.
Module 6 - Organic chemistry and analysis. More complex organic reactions and further functional groups are introduced. Complex synthetic techniques using aromatic, carbonyl and nitrogen-containing compounds are studied. Further analytical chemistry is developed looking at techniques such as NMR spectroscopy and Chromatography.
Final assessment comes at the end of the course in the form of three written examinations.
Paper 1: Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry (01) (100 marks) (2 hrs 15 mins, 37% of total marks)
Paper 2: Synthesis and analytical techniques (02) 100 marks (2 hrs 15 mins, 37% of total marks)
Paper 3: Unified chemistry (03) 70 marks (1 hr 30 mins, 26% of total marks)
Practical endorsement in chemistry (04) non-exam assessment – reported separately
What are the requirements to study Chemistry?
A grade 7 at GCSE in Chemistry or Combined Science is recommended to succeed at A level along with a good level of mathematical skill (the requirement for mathematical application makes up 20% of the course).