Entry Requirements
Grade B GCSE Chemistry or
Grade B GCSE Additional Science
Grade 5 GCSE Maths (Desirable)
Course Structure
Course Structure
Year 12
Four modules:
Development of practical skills
Foundations in chemistry
Periodic table and energy
Core organic chemistry
Examined in two papers at AS:
Paper 1 – Breadth in chemistry
Paper 2 – Depth in chemistry
Year 13
Two further modules:
Physical chemistry and transition elements
Organic chemistry and analysis
Content of all six modules examined in three papers at A2:
Paper 1 – Periodic table, elements and physical chemistry
Paper 2 – Synthesis and analytical techniques
Paper 3 – Unified chemistry
For more information contact
Mrs T Tudor
A-Level (AS & A2)
Course Content
Module 1 Development of practical skills
This module underpins the whole of the specification, and covers the practical skills that students should develop throughout the course. Practical activities will include acid-base titrations, distillation, heating under reflux, monitoring rates of reaction, pH measurement and use of apparatus for qualitative analysis. The skills will be assessed within the written examinations and the Practical Endorsement.
Module 2 Foundations in chemistry
This module acts as a bridge into AS and A2 chemistry from the study of chemistry at GCSE level. It provides students with the knowledge and understanding of the key chemical ideas that underpin the study of chemistry at A-level.
Topics include:-
Atoms, compounds, molecules and equations
Amount of substance
Acid-base and redox reactions
Electrons, bonding and structure
Module 3 Periodic table and energy
The Periodic Table and periodicity
Group 2 and Group 7
Qualitative analysis
Enthalpy changes
Reaction rates and equilibrium (qualitative)
Module 4 Core organic chemistry
Basic concepts of organic chemistry
Hydrocarbons
Alcohols and halogenoalkanes
Organic synthesis
Analytical techniques (IR and MS)
Module 5 Physical chemistry and transition elements
Reaction rates and equilibrium (quantitative)
pH and buffers
Enthalpy, entropy and free energy
Redox and electrode potentials
Transition elements
Module 6 Organic chemistry and analysis
Aromatic compounds
Carbonyl compounds
Carboxylic acids and esters
Nitrogen compounds
Polymers
Organic synthesis
Chromatography and NMR spectroscopy
Opportunities for enrichment activities
Students have the opportunity to visit Newcastle University for a “Spectroscopy day”, in which they are able to see first-hand the specialist equipment used for analytical techniques such as IR, MS and NMR, as well as participate in some problem solving activities. A team of students may also be selected to take part in the national RSC Young Analysts competition at the University of Northumbria where