AS Chemistry
This subject may be offered at more than one Southern Consortium school site. The teaching of this subject may be at any one of the sites listed below.
The information on this webpage is a guide only. Topics, units and course content may vary from those listed below.
AS Chemistry @ SRS
The qualification integrates theory and relevant practical work, which are developed at different levels throughout the course.
You will need to be able to communicate effectively, research and think critically about chemical problems.
What will I learn on this A level course?
The qualification aims to:
- Stimulate and sustain your interest in, and enjoyment of Chemistry.
- Enable you to gain greater knowledge and understanding of chemistry and to appreciate the inter-linking patterns present in this subject.
- Show the relevant application and value of chemistry to society and how it may be used responsibly.
- Develop your skills in laboratory procedures and techniques.
- Develop your skills to acquire knowledge by means of practical work.
- Provide opportunities for you to bring together knowledge of how different areas of chemistry relate to each other.
- A level Chemistry is an essential requirement for students who hope to study medicine or veterinary science.
Course Structure (AS)
The AS course consists of three assessment units.
Unit 1: Structure, Bonding and Main Group Chemistry
Unit 2: Energetic, Kinetic and Equilibrium and Applications.
Unit 3: Introductory Organic Chemistry, Laboratory Chemistry I.
Other skills used in Chemistry
- Communication
- Application of number
- Information technology
- Problem solving
- Working with others
- Improving own learning and performance
A Level
Unit 4: Periodicity, Qualitative Equilibria and Functional Group Chemistry.
Unit 5: Transition Metals and Qualitative Kinetic Chemistry.
Unit 6: Applied Organic Chemistry and Laboratory Chemistry I.
What could I go on to do at the end of my course?
- Follow a degree course in Chemistry, Environmental Science, Medicine and Pharmacy. These are a small selection of courses with direct links. UCAS handbooks will give you further guidance.
- Follow a Higher National programme in Applied Chemistry and related programmes, such as Sport Studies, Beauty Therapy, Applied Biology, Engineering, Agriculture, Animal Management, Countryside Management, Environmental Science, Equine Management or Horticulture.
- Employment in the area of pharmacy and biotechnology as possible examples.
AS Chemistry @ JRCS
AS/A2 Level Exam board: Edexcel Level: 3
Outline of the course
OCR Advanced Chemistry is a modern Chemistry course, clearly structured with an integrated practical assessment model. It provides a firm foundation for those candidates progressing to chemistry, medicine and related courses in Higher Education. It also provides knowledge, understanding and skills to allow those candidates who do not wish to carry their study of chemistry further to make reasoned and informed decisions about chemical issues affecting their lives.
The course demonstrates a logical and coherent progression of topics and a smooth transition from GCSE. All units are intentionally short, enabling students to be entered for January and June exams; learners will also complete task-based internal assessments.
There is comprehensive coverage of all major topics, with an emphasis on relevance to everyday life, green issues and economic awareness. Students will appreciate the contributions of chemistry to society and the responsible use of scientific knowledge and evidence, sustain and develop their enjoyment of, and interest in, chemistry.
Skills you will develop include:
- Learning the wider experimental and investigative skills needed by modern chemists.
- The ability to make judgements about the quality of scientific evidence
- An understanding of the ethics of chemical production
Assessment
You will be assessed on your knowledge and understanding of the topics developed in the course, on your ability to analyse and understand scientific data, and on the quality of your written communication.
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Teaching units |
Assessment method And weighting |
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F321: Atoms, Bonds and Groups • Atoms and Reactions • Electrons, Bonding and Structure • The Periodic Table
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1 hour written exam, AS – 30%, A Level – 15%
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F322: Chains, Energy and Resources • Basic Concepts and Hydrocarbons • Alcohols, Halogenoalkanes and Analysis • Energy • Resources.
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1 hour 45 mins written exam, AS – 50%, A Level – 25% |
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F323: Practical Skills in Chemistry • AS internal assessment.
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Internal assessment, AS – 20%, A level – 10% |
A new initiative for A Levels, ‘Stretch and Challenge’ is designed to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their potential, and to help universities differentiate between applicants. It will be part of the A2 units, so it won’t involve additional questions or exam papers.
- These questions invite a greater variety of thinking and type of answer. For example,
- The introduction could ask the students to ‘analyse’, ‘evaluate’ or ‘discuss’.
- There’s a wider range of question types – such as case studies and open-ended questions – rather than just short-answer questions.
- There are more synoptic assessments – exploring connections between different areas and levels of a subject – over and above the superficial links within question types.
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F324: Rings, Polymers and Analysis • Rings, Acids and Amines • Polymers and Synthesis • Analysis.
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1 hour written exam, A Level – 15%
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F325: Equilibria, Energetics and Elements • Rates, Equilibrium and pH • Energy • Transition Elements.
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1 hour 45 mins written exam, A Level – 25% |
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F326: Practical Skills in Chemistry 2 • AS internal assessment.
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Internal assessment, A level – 10% |
Careers and further study
Chemistry students are in high demand! You will find that chemistry qualifications offer many career choices ranging from being a Prime Minister to a scuba diver! Students could go on to study related degree courses such as: Chemistry, Medicine, Vetinary Science, Food Technology, Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy, Pharmacology
AS Chemistry @ EB
Introduction
Chemistry at A/S and ‘A’ Level builds on the knowledge gained from GCSE to train students to apply science to the understanding of our surroundings in terms of chemical interactions.
What kind of student is this course suitable for?
Students interested in pursuing a career in Science or related fields are encouraged to take A/S and ‘A’ Level Chemistry. A/S Chemistry is also suitable for those Double Science students wishing to expand their knowledge of Chemistry, but may not be looking at pursuing a career in Science-related fields.
What will I learn on the course?
First Year: Advance Supplementary Chemistry (A/S Level)
A/S Chemistry is composed of three units of work covering atomic structure, energy in reactions, equilibria and organic chemistry:
Unit 1: Structure, Bonding and Main Group Chemistry
Unit 2: Introductory organic chemistry, energetics, kinetics and equilibrium and applications
Unit 3: Laboratory Chemistry I
Second Year: Converting A/S into Advanced Level (‘A’ Level) Three further units are studied in the second year, further expanding the knowledge gained in A/S Level.
Unit 4: Periodicity, quantitative equilibria and functional group chemistry
Unit 5: Transition metals, quantitative kinetics and applied organic chemistry
Unit 6: Laboratory Chemistry II
What assessments will I have to complete to achieve my qualifications?
A/S Level
Units 1 and 2 will each be assessed by a 1 hour and 20 minute modular exam (each worth 30%)
Unit 3 will be assessed by a practical assessment (20%) and a written paper (20%)
‘A’ Level
Each unit is assessed by a 1 hour and 20 minute modular exam concerning only the topics covered in that unit (each worth 15%)
Units 3 and 6 are assessed by a practical exam (each worth 10%) and a written paper (each worth 10% In Unit 6 the written paper is a Synoptic paper
This course is an entrance requirement for many colleges and universities and is needed for many professions – it is challenging and it is rewarding.
Chemistry lessons will allow students to develop their independent learning skills through the use of resources such as Examstutor.
Click on the link below to find out more information about careers from studying Chemistry.
CHEMISTRY OPENS DOORS!
AS Chemistry @ DP
(Edexcel)
Chemistry will appeal to anyone who wants to understand how the materials in the world around us behave and how we can use this knowledge to develop materials to suit our needs. Chemistry is useful for a variety of careers such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Materials Science, and others such as Food Science and manufacture of paints, dyes, drugs etc.
If you enjoyed your study of topics such as Rocks, Oil, Metals, Periodic Table, Bonding and Reactions then this may be the course for you.
What does the course involve?
There are 3 components studied as follows:-
Unit 1 Structure Bonding and Main Group Chemistry
This involves further study of Atomic Structure, Periodic Table and groups 1, 2 and 7, Structure and Bonding, Oxidation and Reduction .
Unit 2 Organic Chemistry, Energetic and Kinetic Equilibrium
This involves study of Hess’s Law, Alkanes, alkenes and alcohols Kinetics, Equilibria, and Industrial Processes
Unit 3a Experimental Skills
Students perform a short practical test under exam conditions
Unit 3b Laboratory Chemistry
Students sit a written exam designed to assess ability to interpret information drawn from experimental situation
Entry Requirements
You will need 2 grade B passes at GCSE Double Science.
Progression Opportunities
You will be able to move onto A2 if you succeed in passing AS and this can lead to a variety of careers including Medicine, Agriculture, Horticulture, Animal Studies, Food Science, and Environmental Science, as well as the opportunity for study at degree level at University.