Chemistry
Qualification: A-Level
- Awarding Body:
- AQA
- Length of Course:
- 2 Years
YEAR 12
Physical chemistry
Including atomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, kinetics, chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s principle.
Inorganic chemistry
Including periodicity, Group 2 the alkaline earth metals, Group 7(17) the halogens.
Organic chemistry
Including introduction to organic chemistry, alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alkenes, alcohols, organic analysis.
YEAR 13
Physical chemistry
Including thermodynamics, rate equations, equilibrium constant (Kc) for homogeneous systems, electrode potentials and electrochemical cells.
Inorganic chemistry
Including properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals, reactions of ions in aqueous solution.
Organic chemistry
Including optical isomerism, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, aromatic chemistry, amines, polymers, amino acids, proteins and DNA, organic synthesis, NMR spectroscopy, chromatography.
ASSESSMENT
Paper 1 – Inorganic chemistry, with relevant physical chemistry, relevant practical skills.
2 hours long, 105 marks (a mixture of short and long answer questions), 35% of A-level.
Paper 2 – Organic chemistry, with relevant physical chemistry, relevant practical skills. 2 hours long, 105 marks (a mixture of short and long answer questions), 35% of A-level.
Paper 3 – all practical skills and all content.
2 hours long, 90 marks (40 marks on practical, 20 marks on all content, 30 marks multiple choice questions), 30% of A-level.
MATHEMATICAL REQUIREMENTS
Overall, at least 30% of the marks in assessments for chemistry will require the use of mathematical skills. These skills will be applied in the context of chemistry and will be at least the standard of higher tier GCSE Mathematics. These skills include: arithmetic and numerical computation, handling data, algebra, graphs, geometry and trigonometry.
PRACTICAL SKILLS ASSESSMENT
Practical work will be assessed in the written papers. 15% of the total A-level marks will be for practical knowledge and understanding. A separate ‘endorsement’ of practical work will be assessed by teachers. This will not be graded. If students pass, it will be reported on their certificate; otherwise it will not be reported. There will be 12 designated practicals which have to be completed by the students during their two years of A-level Chemistry.
COMPARISON WITH GCSE
The course builds on knowledge, understanding and process skills inherent in GCSE. The qualification is suitable for students who have an interest in Chemistry and for those students who want to use Chemistry to support other qualifications or progress into further studies.
RELEVANCE TO FURTHER STUDIES AND CAREERS
An Advanced GCE in Chemistry is an essential qualification for a large number of Higher Education courses and a wide variety of career areas. It can lead to degree or other courses in Chemistry, Engineering, Forensic Science, Geology, Medicine, Physics, Pharmacy,
Pharmacology, and many others. Chemistry students find a wide range of career prospects in industry. With additional qualifications and experience many chemists progress into other areas such as corporate planning, marketing and sales, technical writing and information departments.
