Chemistry

Chemistry A-Level often leads into the study of Medicine, pharmacy and chemical engineering. It overlaps a great deal with biochemistry courses. After university, many people continue to work in those fields. Medicine generally involves working in the NHS, and pharmacy in NHS hospitals of private pharmacies. People working in chemical engineering may work for companies such as ICI, GlaxoSmithKline and Proctor & Gamble as well as the large oil companies.

The course has a significant practical element. There are a certain number of experiments and investigations which you are required to undertake, as well as many more which are used to help you understand concepts or develop important skills. There is an expectation that you will do a great deal of work as homework so that lesson time can be devoted to clearing up any problems you have encountered in your private or small group study. When students prepare properly in advance, much of your lesson time can then be spent discussing science instead of doing written work.

Content is split into six teaching modules:

• Module 1 – Development of practical skills in chemistry
• Module 2 – Foundations in chemistry
• Module 3 – Periodic table and energy
• Module 4 – Core organic chemistry
• Module 5 – Physical chemistry and transition elements
• Module 6 – Organic chemistry and analysis

At the end of Year 13, you will have three exams. The first paper assesses content from modules 1, 2, 3 and 5. The Second paper assesses content from modules 1, 2, 4 and 6. The final paper assesses content from all modules (1 to 6).

Students gain practical skills throughout the course. These are assessed in the written examinations and in the practical endorsement.

You will be expected to do a great deal of work outside of lesson time. Five hours will not be enough for most people to achieve the grades they want. Realistically, you will need to spend at least 7-8 hours working to complete homework, review key concepts introduced in lessons and prepare for upcoming lessons. This, of course, includes your Directed Study time, where you are advised to work with other members of your Chemistry group, time after school and time at home.

OCR. We offer the OCR Chemistry A course, not the Chemistry B course, so be careful if you are researching the course online.