Course details

  • Course:

    Chemistry

  • Type:

    A Level

  • Level:

    Level 3

  • Exam Board:

    AQA

  • Requirements:

    • Minimum Grade 6 in Combined Science or Chemistry

A Level Chemistry

A Level Chemistry attempts to answer one of the biggest questions in science: what is the world made of? From investigating how substances react and change to developing new medicines and technologies, Chemistry helps us understand the fundamental principles that underpin the world around us. Combining academic challenge with practical investigation, the course develops analytical, mathematical and problem-solving skills that are highly valued by universities and employers. A Level Chemistry provides an excellent foundation for Higher Education and careers in areas such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, engineering, forensic science and scientific research.

Course components include:

  • Physical Chemistry: Explore topics including atomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, kinetics, chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s principle.
  • Inorganic Chemistry: Study periodicity, Group 2 metals, Group 7 halogens and the chemical behaviour of important groups of elements.
  • Organic Chemistry: Develop an understanding of carbon-based compounds, including alkanes, alkenes, alcohols and organic analysis.
  • Advanced Physical Chemistry: Investigate thermodynamics, rate equations, equilibrium constants, acids and bases, electrode potentials and electrochemical cells.
  • Advanced Inorganic Chemistry: Explore the properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals and reactions of ions in aqueous solution.
  • Advanced Organic Chemistry: Study optical isomerism, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, aromatic chemistry, amines, polymers, amino acids, proteins and DNA, organic synthesis, NMR spectroscopy and chromatography.

The course develops practical laboratory skills throughout, allowing students to apply their knowledge through experimentation and scientific investigation.

Assessment

Assessment is through three written examinations and practical skills assessed throughout the course, allowing students to demonstrate both their theoretical understanding and practical scientific abilities.