Chemistry A Level

Chemistry in the 6th Form is one of the most challenging but rewarding courses on offer. The course is a 2-year course that will result in an A-level in Chemistry.

Employers and universities recognise the skills of a Chemistry student and look favourably upon the possession of a Key Stage 5 qualification in this subject.

In order to take this course there is an entry requirement of 5 or above in Mathematics and grade 6 or above in Chemistry and a grade 5 in a second science or 5-6 in combined science.

A- level Chemistry Person Specification

  • Have an interest and enjoyment in Chemistry.
  • Enjoy carrying out investigations using imaginative and logical thinking.
  • Think abstractly to explain unfamiliar phenomena using their knowledge of Chemistry.
  • Have a stong mathematical ability
  • Be organised and able to plan and schedule your work
  • Be resilient and self-motivated

How will I be assessed?

There are three written papers, Paper 1, 2 and 3, that are taken at the end of the two year course.

What will I study?

Year 1 Units

Year 2 Units
  • Physical Chemistry including Atomic
  • Structure, bonding & energetics
  • Inorganic Chemistry including study of Group 1 and 2 elements; periodicity
  • Organic chemistry including alkanes, alkenes and alcohols
  • Relevant practical skills
  • Additional units from organic, inorganic and physical chemistry
  • For example, optical isomerism, aldehydes, ketones and aromatic chemistry

Assessment

A Level

Three exams will be taken, Paper 1, 2 and 3, at the end of the two year course.

Exam

Course Content Examined

Details of Exam

Paper 1

Assesses relevant physical chemistry topics, inorganic chemistry and practical skills

2 hour exam (35% of final mark)

Paper 2

Assesses relevant physical chemistry topics, organic chemistry and practical skills

2 hour exam (35% of final mark)

Paper 3

Assesses content of the all topics from across the specification, data analysis & any relevant practical skills.

2 hour exam (30% of the final mark)

What will you study?

Year 1 Chemistry Topics
Physical Chemistry Atomic structure

Amount of substance

Bonding and Structure

Energetics

Kinetics
Inorganic Chemistry Periodicity

Group 2

Group 7
Organic Chemistry Introduction to Organic Chemistry and Nomenclature

Alkanes

Halogenoalkanes

Alkenes

Alcohols

Organic Analysis

 

Year 2 Chemistry Topics
Physical Chemistry Chemical equilibria

Oxidation and reduction
Inorganic Chemistry Properties of period 3 elements

Transition metals

Metals in aqueous solution
Organic Chemistry Isomerism and Carbonyl compounds

Aldehydes and ketones

Carboxylic acid derivatives

Aromatic chemistry

Amines

Polymers

Amino acids, proteins and DNA

Organic synthesis

NMR

Chromatography

What skills will I gain from this course?

  • Calculating and applying formulae to numerical data
  • Gathering and analysing data
  • Evaluative skills
  • Practical skills
  • Team building skills

Specimen papers and course information available

http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/science/as-and-a-level-7404-7405

Entry Requirements

Entry requirement of 5 or above in Mathematics and grade 6 or above in Chemistry and a grade 5 in a second science or 5-6 in combined science.