Chemistry A Level

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Examining board & Qualification

OCR Chemistry A – A LEVEL

Entry requirements

Please see current prospectus for further information

Students say

“Chemistry is a highly challenging course, but probably the most stimulating academic school subject you will ever take part in. I really enjoyed studying the course and found that it prepares your independent learning and time management skills which will be beneficial in later life. There are lots of exciting practical’s to complete every week and you will never find yourself sitting there with nothing to do.”

WHY STUDY THIS SUBJECT?

Chemistry is everywhere in the world around you! It’s in the food you eat, the clothes you wear and the water you drink. It’s in medicines, the atmosphere, and cleaning agents. Chemistry connects other sciences – like Biology, Physics, Geology and Environmental Science – together. It links with many areas of everyday life and helps develop an understanding of current events and phenomena.

The course will provide a rewarding experience across the ability range, while genuinely challenging the most able students. There are many careers in chemistry, but even if you’re looking for a job in another field, the analytical skills you gain in chemistry are helpful. Chemistry A Level can open doors to a vast diversity of careers.

WHAT SKILLS WILL I DEVELOP?

There is a large jump between GCSE Science or Chemistry and A Level. You will build on the topics you’ve learnt, but to a much higher level of understanding. The course requires significant additional and independent learning which will help to develop the independent learning skills you need in your further studies and in many career options.

Practical chemistry skills and scientific skills of analysis and evaluation will be integrated into the theoretical topics which will be teacher-assessed through specific practical activities designed to demonstrate students’ practical competence.

The course will develop your chemical knowledge and understanding and your practical skills. It will also develop their communication skills and their ability to work as an effective member of a team.

WHAT WILL I STUDY?

Module 1 – Practical skills

Development of practical skills
Planning, implementing, analysis and evaluation

Module 2 – Foundations in Chemistry

Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations
Amount of substance
Acid-base and redox reactions
Electrons, bonding and structure

Module 3 – Periodic table and energy

Periodic table and periodicity
Group 2 and the halogens
Qualitative analysis
Enthalpy changes
Reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative)

Module 4 – Core organic chemistry

Basic concepts
Hydrocarbons
Alcohols and haloalkanes
Organic synthesis
Analytical techniques (IR, MS)

Module 5 – Physical chemistry and transition elements

Reaction rates and equilibrium (quantitative)
pH and buffers
Enthalpy, entropy and free energy
Redox and electrode potentials
Transition elements

Module 6 – Organic chemistry and analysis

Aromatic compounds
Carbonyl compounds
Carboxylic acids and esters
Nitrogen compounds
Polymers
Organic synthesis
Chromatography and spectroscopy (NMR)

A Level Practical Endorsement – Minimum of 12 practical activities.

HOW WILL I BE ASSESSED?

Examination paper (01) 37% – Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry – 100 marks
2 hour 15-minute written paper
Examination paper (02) 37% – Synthesis and analytical techniques – 100 marks
2 hour 15-minute written paper
Examination paper (03) 26% – Unified chemistry – 70 marks
1 hour 30-minute written paper
Practical endorsement in chemistry (04) – non-exam assessment

WHAT ARE MY POST-18 OPTIONS?

Chemistry A Level is particularly suitable preparation for Higher Education courses in Pure Sciences, Applied and Vocational Sciences, Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Applied Chemistry, Biochemistry, Cell Biology, Medicine, Veterinary Science, Microbiology, Food Biology, Dentistry and Psychology.

The analytical and applied nature of the course also prepares students for a wide variety of non-scientific courses such as Law, Accountancy, Management and Finance.