Chemistry AS and A2 Level
Course aims
a. To stimulate and sustain students' interest in, and enjoyment of, chemistry.
b. To enable students to gain a knowledge and understanding of chemistry appropriate to this level and to appreciate the interlinking patterns which are a distinguishing feature of the subject.
c. To show the interrelationship between the development of the subject and its applications: social, economic, environmental and technological.
d. To develop skills in laboratory procedures and techniques carried out with due regard for safety, together with the ability to assess the uses and limitations of these procedures.
e. To foster imaginative and critical thinking as well as the acquisition of knowledge, together with an appreciation of the intellectual discipline which the subject provides.
f. To develop students' ability to acquire knowledge by means of practical investigation.
g. To develop students' abilities to form hypotheses and to design experiments to test them.
h. To provide an appropriate course for those who will end their study of the subject at this stage as well as laying a secure foundation for those who will continue their studies in the subject.
Course content
The A Level course is divided up into 6 compulsory units
Unit |
How this is assessed |
Examined |
% of total AS examination |
% of total A2 examination |
Unit 1 –The Core Principles of Chemistry |
Written paper (1hour 15mins) |
January of Yr12 |
40% |
20% |
Unit 2 – Application of Core Principles of Chemistry |
Written paper (1hour 15mins) |
June of Yr12 |
40% |
20% |
Unit 3 – Chemistry Laboratory Skills I |
Investigative Skills Assessment (Practical task and written test based on collected data) |
Throughout Yr12 |
20% |
10% |
Unit 4 – General Principals of Chemistry I – Rates, Equilibria and Further Organic Chemistry |
Written paper (1hour 40mins) |
January of Yr13 |
|
20% |
Unit 5 – General Principles of Chemistry II – Transition Metals and Nitrogen Chemistry |
Written paper (1hours 40mins) |
June of Yr13 |
|
20% |
Unit 6 – Chemistry Laboratory Skills II |
Investigative Skills Assessment (Practical task and written test based on collected data) |
Throughout Yr13 |
|
10% |
The AS part of the course is taken in Year 12 and the A2 in Year 13
Commitment:
Student should be aware that A Level Chemistry is a far from easy option: it is heavily loaded with content and requires much independent work, so a firm commitment to the subject is essential.
Entry requirements |
