GCE A Level in Chemistry

A-level Chemistry builds upon the knowledge gained at GCSE but goes much further, revealing some significant simplifications taught at GCSE. It contains a slightly greater level of mathematical content than GCSE and overlaps with some topics taught in Physics. Studying Chemistry at A level will give you the skills and knowledge required for a huge range of Higher Education courses and future careers – even in non-science fields. That is because Chemistry is regarded as a rigorous A level that requires students to have a logical way of thinking and approaching problems – these attributes are very highly valued by further education institutions and potential future employers. Chemistry is all around us: cooking dinner, travelling by bus, even breathing – chemical reactions are not only found in a lab!

Sixth Form pathway entry requirements: A-level route over 42 points Mixed A-level/BTEC route 32 points Grade 6 in Chemistry and at least one other Science or grade 77 in combined science.

3.1 Physical chemistry 3.1.1 Atomic structure 3.1.2 Amount of substance 3.1.3 Bonding 3.1.4 Energetics 3.1.5 Kinetics 3.1.6 Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc 3.1.7 Oxidation, reduction and redox equations 3.1.8 Thermodynamics (A-level only) 3.1.9 Rate equations (A-level only) 3.1.10 Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems (A-level only) 3.1.11 Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells (A-level only) 3.1.12 Acids and bases (A-level only) 3.2 Inorganic chemistry 3.2.1 Periodicity 3.2.2 Group 2, the alkaline earth metals 3.2.3 Group 7(17), the halogens 3.2.4 Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides (A-level only) 3.2.5 Transition metals (A-level only) 3.2.6 Reactions of ions in aqueous solution (A-level only) 3.3 Organic chemistry 3.3.1 Introduction to organic chemistry 3.3.2 Alkanes 3.3.3 Halogenoalkanes 3.3.4 Alkenes 3.3.5 Alcohols 3.3.6 Organic analysis 3.3.7 Optical isomerism (A-level only) 3.3.8 Aldehydes and ketones (A-level only) 3.3.9 Carboxylic acids and derivatives (A-level only) 3.3.10 Aromatic chemistry (A-level only) 3.3.11 Amines (A-level only) 3.3.12 Polymers (A-level only) 3.3.13 Amino acids, proteins and DNA (A-level only) 3.3.14 Organic synthesis (A-level only) 3.3.15 Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (A-level only) 3.3.16 Chromatography (A-level only)

• Teamwork • Technical ability • Problem solving • Organisation • Numeracy • Communication • Attention to detail • Administration • Analysis • Discipline

Paper 1 2 hours Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.1 to 3.1.4, 3.1.6 to 3.1.8 and 3.1.10 to 3.1.12) Inorganic chemistry (section 3.2) Practical skills Paper 2 2 hours Relevant physical chemistry topics (sections 3.1.2 to 3.1.6 and 3.1.9) Organic chemistry (section 3.3) Practical skills Paper 3 2 hours Any content and practicals

• Academic researcher
• Analytical chemist
• Biotechnologist
• Chemical engineer
• Clinical scientist, biochemistry
• Forensic scientist
• Nanotechnologist
• Pharmacologist
• Research scientist (physical sciences)
• Scientific laboratory technician
• Toxicologist
Jobs where your degree would be useful include:
• Civil service fast streamer
• Environmental consultant
• Nuclear engineer
• Radiation protection practitioner
• Secondary school teacher