Chemistry

Before reading about Chemistry, please refer to the introductory section, Science

With every imaginable hue, whiff and pong and sounds ranging from the delicate shrieks of tin to explosive reports, which other subject can rival Chemistry’s stimulation of the senses? The delight is deepened when the mind’s eye can penetrate the surface of things to see the connections within.

Chemistry is the study of the nature and transformation of matter at the molecular level.  It is the creative science, chemists being at the forefront of the design and synthesis of new and exotic materials that change our lives.  Ironically, Chemistry permeates so much of our existence that its importance is often overlooked.  Chemistry is also described as the central science because it uses physical and mathematical concepts to generate ideas important for understanding biological and geographical processes.

Entry requirements

To be successful with the course students should achieve at least GCSE grade B in both Chemistry and Mathematics.  Those candidates who have studied Core and Additional Science will have some preparatory work to do but should be successful if they obtain AA grades.  The AS course covers many topics familiar to GCSE chemists.

Course Content

Topic area	AS	A2
Introduction	atomic structure formulae, equations & amount (moles) acids redox
Bonding & structure	electron arrangement ionic, covalent & metallic bonding molecular shapes electronegativity & polarity intermolecular forces
Energy	enthalpy changes & cycles	lattice energy, entropy
Inorganic Chemistry	periodicity, groups 2 & 7	transition metals
Organic Chemistry	introduction, alkanes, alkenes, halogenoalkanes and alcohols	arenes, carbonyls, acids, esters, nitrogen compounds, chirality, synthesis
Resources	chemistry of the air green chemistry
Kinetics	qualitative (collision theory)	quantitative
Equilibria	qualitative	quantitative; acid-base; redox
Analysis	acid-base titrations i.r. & mass spectroscopy	redox titrations chromatography n.m.r spectroscopy

Examination Structure

Unit	Type	Duration	AS level	A level
F321	written paper	60 minutes	30%	15%
F322	written paper	105 minutes	50%	25%
F323	coursework assessment*	throughout year	20%	10%
F324	written paper	60 minutes		15%
F325	written paper	105 minutes		25%
F326	coursework assessment*	throughout year		10%

* For both AS & A2 the coursework assessment consists of three practical tasks, one qualitative, one quantitative and the third evaluative.   For each ability assessed, there will be three exercises that can be used.  We intend to tackle as many as possible, so our candidates have the greatest opportunity to do well.  Some of the exercises may be tackled on Saturday mornings.

Higher Education and Career Opportunities

Recognising the subject’s central position, AS or A2 Chemistry is a necessary qualification for a wide variety of science based university courses.  However, Chemistry can also be successfully combined with non-science subjects.  As the subject develops logical thought, numerical and communication skills, many employers consider it to be an excellent training for almost any occupation or profession.

Introductory Reading

The department publishes an “AS Primer” that should be tackled before embarking upon the course.