Sixth Form Chemistry
Chemistry
Board: OCR
Type: GCE A Level
School: Sturminster Newton High School
Contact: Mrs K Thompson
Why study Chemistry?
Chemistry is relevant to many sectors of industry because it is used in the development and manufacture of all products used, especially new technology. It is a highly regarded A level subject that is well recognised by universities and employers and can provide diverse career opportunities, including Medicine, Biochemistry, Forensic Science, Petrochemical or Pharmaceutical Industries, Law and Accounting. Teaching and learning combines theoretical and practical approaches and develops many important skills including problem solving, communication, data handling and analysis, teamwork and risk management.
What will I learn?
The OCR A level specification is divided into six teaching modules, each of which is further divided into key topics. They are summarised as follows:
Module 1: Development of practical skills in chemistry
Module 2: Foundations in chemistry – atoms, compounds, molecules and equations, amount of substance, acid-base redox reactions, electrons, bonding and structure.
Module 3: Periodic table and energy – the periodic table and periodicity, group 2 and the halogens, qualitative analysis, enthalpy changes, reaction rates and equilibrium.
Module 4: Core organic chemistry – basic concepts, hydrocarbons, alcohols and haloalkanes, organic synthesis, analytical techniques (IR and MS).
Module 5: Physical chemistry and transition elements – reaction rates and equilibrium, 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).
What are the entry requirements?
Minimum: Higher Tier GCSE grades 55 in Combined Science or two GCSE grade 5’s in triple science (including Chemistry) and a level 5 in Maths GCSE.
Ideal: Higher Tier GCSE grades 66 in Combined Science or two GCSE grade 6’s in triple science (including Chemistry) and a level 6 in Maths GCSE.
About half of the topics are mathematical, so you need to be able to handle decimals, graphs, equations and formulae.
How will I be assessed?
We follow the OCR A Level Chemistry A specification (H432). In addition to studying theoretical aspects, students complete 12 required practical activities to demonstrate practical competence. The A level is assessed by three external written examinations. The question papers include short and extended answer questions as well as multiple choice questions.
What do students do after studying Chemistry?
Chemistry combines naturally with Physics, Biology and Maths, but also with a wide range of other subjects. Degrees are now offered around the country which couple chemistry with Economics, Computing, Languages, Environmental Science and Business Management among others.
Past students have gone into a wide range of fields, including Electrical Engineering, Pharmacology, Medicine, Forensic Science and Marine Biology. The study of Chemistry informs, stimulates and challenges students of all abilities and provides them with opportunities to improve skills, both mental and practical, which are useful not just in their academic careers but also in everyday life.
Opportunities in the chemical industry are excellent. Awareness of the influence of chemical reactions on the quality of human life and the global environment increases year by year. The world needs more and more decisions to be made by people who understand chemistry.