| Why study Chemistry?
If students study Chemistry they will gain a greater understanding of important, topical issues, such as climate change, drug testing and alternative fuels. By comparing real and ideal properties of chemicals, they get an insight into the way chemists work. They will also see the importance of chemical data and learn to process it to look for patterns and other properties. Studying organic chemistry shows how chemists work with potentially hazardous chemicals by managing risks. Practical chemistry gives many opportunities to learn different techniques, evaluate methodology, generate data and appreciate the need to work safely within the laboratory. Students will gain a qualification that will be useful in later areas of university studies, such as medicine, forensic science, dentistry, chemical engineering and pharmacy.
Which syllabus do we follow?
We follow Edexcel specification for Chemistry
How many units are there?
There are four units in total: two at AS and two at A2.
What is each unit about?
Unit 1
AS Unit 1 is entitled ‘The Core Principles of Chemistry.’ It involves studying formulae, equations and amounts of substance, Energetics, Atomic structure and the Periodic table, Bonding and Introductory organic chemistry
Unit 2
AS Unit 2 is entitled ‘Application of Core Principles of Chemistry.’ It involves looking at the shapes of molecules and ions; intermediate bonding and bond polarity, Intermolecular forces, Redox, the periodic table 2 and 7, kinetics, chemical equilibria, organic chemistry. Mechanisms, mass spectra and IR and green chemistry
Unit 3
A2 Unit 3 is a coursework unit
Unit 4
A2 Unit 4 is entitled ‘Application of Core Principles of Chemistry’. It involves looking at entropy, equilibria, application of rates and equilibrium, further organic chemistry, spectroscopy and chromatography.
How is each unit examined?
Unit 1
Students sit a 1 hour 15 minute examination. Section A consists of objective test questions while section B consists of short-answer and extended answer questions.
Unit 2
Students sit a 1 hour 15 minute examination. This includes objective test questions, mixture of short-answer and extended answer questions and contemporary context questions.
Unit 3
Unit 3 is an internally assessed unit. It consists of practical assessments that cover the content of units 1 and units 2.
Unit 4
Students sit a 1 hour 40 minute examination, which includes objective test questions, a mixture of short-answer and extended answer questions and data questions.
How is the course structured?
Students study for units 1 and 2 in the AS year and units 3 and 4 in the A2 year.
When do the exams take place?
Students will sit units 1 and 2 in the May/June period of the A2 year. There will be an opportunity to resit these modules in January of the A2 year. Students will sit units 3 and 4 in the May/June period of the A2 year.
Which Ashbourne teachers teach this course?
Chris Todd
(BSc Hons (East Anglia), PGCE ,Chemistry (HoD), Biology)
Chris graduated from the University of East Anglia in Chemical Sciences. He worked as a research chemist in the field of semi conductors, then in investment banking before completing his PGCE at Roehampton. He has been at Ashbourne for over eight years.
Beyond A Level for Chemistry Students
Chemistry remains one of the most vigorous and demanding of A levels especially suited to those students also studying other sciences such as Maths, Physics and Chemistry. It is an essential choice for those wishing to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, veterinary science and other related subjects.
Textbooks
AS
Title - AS Chemistry
Author - George Facer
Web link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Edexcel-AS-Chemistry-George-Facer/dp/0340957603/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1275663702&sr=1-4
A2
Title - A2 Chemistry
Author - George Facer
Web Link - http://www.amazon.co.uk/A2-Edexcel-Chemistry-George-Facer/dp/1844892131/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1276620404&sr=8-1 |
