A Level Chemistry

Chemistry is one of the most useful A Levels to study; it is challenging, rewarding and well respected by employers and universities alike. It draws on a wide range of subjects ranging from physical chemistry calculations to the creative nature of organic synthesis. The skills gained are extremely transferable and chemists are renowned for being adaptable scholars and desirable employees.

Key information

Science / Full Time / A Levels and Equivalent

Why choose this course?

Throughout the course you will be challenged in the three main disciplines within the subject. Physical chemistry encompasses the behaviour of matter and how we can measure and dispense chemicals accurately, to allow our desired reactions to take place safely and successfully. Inorganic chemistry follows the intricate patterns of Mendeleev’s masterpiece, the periodic table. You will learn to interpret the subtle rules that allow us to make sense of the known 118 chemical elements and begin to understand how and why they are arranged in their specific order. This will then allow you to predict the behaviour and reactivity of elements that you are less familiar with. Finally, you will study organic chemistry, the specific chemistry of carbon and how it ranges from simple compounds found in crude oil, petrol and gas, to extremely complicated molecules of life such as condensation polymers and peptide chains.

You will develop your practical skills through plenty of laboratory-based experiments; you will use your mathematical skills to solve problems in a classroom or workshop environment and you will also be introduced to modern analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry, infra-red spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to elucidate unique chemical structures. The real-life applications of these skills are numerous; most modern medicines have been synthesised and developed by chemists working in laboratories, synthesising novel chemical entities that may have beneficial therapeutic properties. Athletes who have been caught doping have been identified by chemists using the same analytical techniques you will studying and the new wonder material of the future, graphene, has been developed and researched by scientists, including a large team of chemists.

What will I learn?

This A Level is a two-year course, with all the components being examined at the end of the teaching cycle. Practical skills will be taught and assessed throughout for practical competence; with the learning being examined in the final exams. There will be three exams at the end of the two years where all the content will be examined alongside the awarding of the practical endorsement.

Module 1- Development of Practical skills in Chemistry
Chemistry is a practical subject, throughout the program of study there are a series of required practical experiments that you will complete to demonstrate the acquisition of a variety of essential laboratory skills. These skills will be verified by the course lecturer and then examined within the written papers. The experiments will complement the theory lessons and will help reinforce the concepts being delivered.

Module 2 – Foundations in Chemistry
This module is the building block of all future chemistry; providing the necessary skills to allow you to construct chemical formulae, balance equations, perform mole calculations and perform titration experiments. It enables you to know how much material to place in a chemical reaction to allow the successful synthesis of your desired target compound.

Module 3 – The Periodic Table and Energy
This module allows you to understand the periodic table and use it to predict the behaviour of all the elements. From there you can use experimental measurements to investigate if chemical reactions occur, whether they need heating or cooling and whether they are safe to perform. You will learn about exothermic and endothermic reactions, equilibria and rates of reaction, allowing you to accurately predict chemical behaviour and devise successful reactions.

Module 4 - Core Organic Chemistry
Organic chemistry is the chemistry of carbon and by extension, the chemistry of life. You start with simple alkanes and build complexity by introducing functional groups including alkenes, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes and carboxylic acids. You will learn how to build complicated molecules and how to analyse them to confirm their identity.

Module 5 – Physical Chemistry and Transition elements
Building on the knowledge gained in the first year, this module will look at the behaviour of the transition metal elements, exotic metals such as manganese and chromium. To learn about their unique properties, you will investigate their colour changes, precipitation reactions and the speed at which they react. You will explore how much energy is involved in a chemical reaction and study whether your chosen chemicals are likely to react or not given a set of reaction conditions.

Module 6 – Organic Chemistry and Analysis
Building on the knowledge gained during module 4, you will study more complex functional groups, more sophisticated molecules and more sensitive analytical techniques. This will allow you to synthesize organic molecules and have an awareness of how to confirm their identity and purity using a variety of analytical techniques.

Assessment Arrangements

Your achievement in this subject is dependent upon excellent attendance, punctuality and effort. You will learn in a supportive atmosphere, using a variety of assessment methods. You will be assessed through end of topic tests under timed conditions in class, regular homework questions and through completion of class activities. You will then be given feedback on your progress in order to improve. Investigative skills and understanding are a vital part of the scientific process and you will be expected develop your practical proficiency throughout the course. You will undertake mock examinations on each unit in advance of your final exams. You will sit three formal A Level exams at the end of your two years of study. A Level grades will be based only on marks for written exams, and your practical endorsement will be assessed and awarded separately as pass or fail.

Information & Support

You will be expected to undertake at least 4-6 hours of independent study time per week. Throughout the year you will be able to access additional support through the course virtual learning environment, workshops, as well as a variety of additional opportunities to stretch and challenge the most able students. We encourage you to proactively engage with the support available in order to reach your full potential.

What will I need?

Five GCSEs at grade 4 or above including grade 6 or above in chemistry or 66 combined science. Mathematics at grade 6 or above and English Language or Literature at grade 5 or above.

Where will it take me?

If you want to study medicine, dentistry, pharmacy or veterinary science then A Level Chemistry is essential. In addition, an understanding of chemistry is desirable for the study of many other subjects and A Level Chemistry is valued highly by universities as it will equip you well for further study in the sciences as well as areas such as law and finance. Studying the chemical sciences at university level provides you with many skills such as problem solving, communication, creativity and teamwork; hence chemical scientists are much sought after and can pursue careers in many exciting and varied fields of work.

Additional Information

We encourage all students to read widely and conduct their own research into the topics they are studying. You will be expected to undertake at least 4-6 hours of independent study time per week. There is a wide range of support material available in the Learning Resource Centres and on the course OneNote site. Throughout the year, you will be able to access additional support and opportunities to stretch and challenge you.

Awarding Body:
OCR Chemistry A Specification

To obtain more information about this course, please call: 01208 224000 or email enquiry@callywith.ac.uk

From the course

Archie

Progression:  Natural Sciences (Physical) - Cambridge University

Courses studied: A Level Chemistry, Physics, Maths and Further Maths

Extra Activities: Academic Academy

Previous school: Wadebridge School

How are you finding your course/experience at university?

Great! While it is really hard work, being able to involve myself in this type of learning environment and have access to the facilities here is a real privilege. The city itself is amazing, and so settling in and making new friends has been so enjoyable!

How did Callywith influence and support you in your application to university?

Through encouragement early on in college to consider Oxbridge and the College’s 'Your Future Week' programme, which really helped, even in lockdown, to see what my options were. Also, the Oxbridge support sessions offered by Jonny near the beginning of second year were so helpful in guiding me through the application process, by developing my personal statement, giving me interview practice and arranging the admissions exam.

What did you enjoy in particular about studying your A Levels?

The way in which content was made enjoyable to learn by the great class environment. Having lecturers as enthusiastic as Dave, Pete and Garry created a really positive and encouraging work space.

Why did you choose to study your course at university and how have your A Levels helped you?

Because this course features all topics from the A levels that I studied! Which is great because I had really enjoyed studying all of them over the 2 years, and felt like I wasn't ready to specialise in only one of them yet. My A levels taught several fundamentals which I still use frequently here, and I feel like they prepared me well for the work weeks in Cambridge!

What are you hoping to do in the future?

I'm still unsure about which region of physical science to specialise into, but possibly into something material science or physics related.

Riley

Progression: Medicine - University of Exeter

Courses studied: A Levels in Biology, Chemistry & Psychology

Extra activities: Medics’ Academy

Previous school: Looe Community Academy

How are you finding university?

I’m loving it so much! It’s been so lovely to explore a different city and build so many genuine friendships that I never thought I would have so early on. At first I was very scared to be this independent but now I couldn’t imagine not being at university. I’ve already been on a range of placements and been able to put my learnt skills to practice on real patients!

How did your time at Callywith influence and support your choice of/transition to university?

When I joined college, I knew I wanted to do medicine but I was unsure on the application process. The Medics’ Academy that Biology Lecturer Babs runs really facilitated that process even offering 1 to 1 interview practice and having the chance to speak to medical students who had previously undergone the application process for tips and advice. In addition, all three of my lecturers were consistently supportive about the application and I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. 

What did you enjoy about your A Levels?

What I loved about my A Levels is that they were topics I loved and was interested in. It gave me more of an insight into what I’d be learning at university to pursue my career. My lecturers were friendly and made me feel comfortable in the scary change from GCSEs to A levels. I think specifically, I loved the practical side of my A Levels, especially the dissections!

Why did you choose you university course?

After a personal family event and my big interest for science, I knew medicine was the career I wanted to pursue. I also always wanted to be in a career where I could have something new and interesting happen each day yet also be able to make friends with colleagues and build patient relationships! It has the perfect balance of theory and practical learning at Exeter.

How have you A Levels helped you in your degree?

Most of my A Level content is even being repeated in my uni lectures just in more depth! Psychology has extremely helped me with my essay writing and abled me to dive deeper into why patients might be feeling how they do. Biology has helped me with the foundations of biological science which are used daily in my lectures and the chance i had to dissect multiples things has helped me with my anatomy in university! Chemistry has helped with the pharmacological side of medicine which i struggled massively with in the first year of college. However my confidence has now increased massively with chemistry thanks to Pete, my Chemistry Lecturer. 

What are you hoping to do in the future?

In the future, I hope to go into emergency medicine and become a trauma doctor or possible paediatrics. I haven’t quite yet decided. However I experience new placements regularly so more than likely this will change multiple times!

Abi

Progression: Physics - Durham University

Courses studied: A level Mathematics, Further Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics 

Extra Activites: Academic Academy

Previous School: Wadebridge School

How are you finding your course/experience at university?

I’m really enjoying my experience at uni. Its been very strange studying during the pandemic and through several lockdowns, with the majority of my lectures pre recorded and my tutorials via zoom, however I’ve still had loads of opportunities to explore a new city and become more independent. The course is really challenging and very fast paced, even compared to A levels, but so rewarding when you finally get to the right answer! 

How did your time at Callywith influence and support your choice of/transition to university?

Callywith were so supportive when I was applying to university and all of my lecturers gave me some great advice abouts which university/courses would suit me best. The enthusiasm of my Physics lecturer, Dave, especially, really inspired me to consider a future career in Physics, and the new facilities in the science labs meant we had the best possible experience of the practical elements of the course.

What do you enjoy in particular about studying Physics?

Physics describes the way everything in the universe works and links them together neatly through theory, experiment and maths, which I think is so elegant and fascinating. Recently we’ve started studying topics like Special Relativity, which describe really weird effects you would never expect like time dilation, which is mind boggling!

How have your A Level studies helped you in your degree?

The way Callywith encouraged me to study for A levels got me in a good routine for university level work, the key being to work quickly and efficiently to understand all the content and to meet deadlines. All of my A level subjects have provided the foundations required for my degree and link very closely with different elements of it, which has been super useful.

What are you hoping to do in the future?

I’m not too sure what I want to do for a career as of yet, but looking into module choices for the later years of my degree condensed matter physics sounds really interesting. 
 

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