Why study Chemistry?

Chemistry plays a part in everything we encounter in our everyday lives, from the colour of the clothes we wear to the sophisticated modern medicines we take when ill. Chemists work on such things as developing new materials that underpin advances in technology and on developing ever more sensitive tests to help in the diagnosis of disease and the detection of crime.

What do I study?
 

Year 1 (AS)

Chemistry for Life
This unit has two modules. The Elements of Life and Developing Fuels. The Elements of Life topic provides an introduction to atomic structure, bonding, spectroscopy and quantitative chemistry.  Developing Fuels is a topical subject where the chemistry of fuels is examined and the scientific basis for the development of alternatives to fossil fuel use is explored.  This topic introduces you to organic chemistry and the energy changes in chemical reactions.

Chemistry of Natural Resources
There are three modules: Elements from the Sea, the Atmosphere and the Polymer Revolution.  The subjects covered include an introduction to organic chemistry, atmospheric pollution, extraction of elements, polymers and spectroscopy.

Chemistry in Practice
This unit is an internal assessment of practical skills and is 20% of the AS course.

Year 2 (A2)

Chemistry in Materials
In this unit students look at the identification and synthesis of pharmacologically active materials in drugs and medicines, how ploymers are designed, the chemical basis of life, and the manufacture and properties of important industrial materials such as steel.

Chemistry by Design

The role of chemistry in food production, the chemistry of colour, equilibria and climate control and organic synthetic chemistry with modern analytical techniques are among the topics covered in this unit.

Chemistry Individual Investigation

Students plan, carry out and analyse the results of an extended chemical investigation, with a period of up to 15 hours spent on practical work in the laboratory.

*Practical work is an important part of the course so you can learn by carrying out experiments.

Where does Chemistry take me?

Studying Chemistry, usually in conjunction with another Science subject and perhaps Maths, can be the first step towards a career in such areas as Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Medical Laboratory Science, Biochemistry, Ecology, Metallurgy, Medicine, Dentistry, Physiotherapy, Pharmacy, Food Science and Marine Biology. Most of these careers will need completion of a suitable degree course at university.

What do I need?

Chemistry is an academic subject requiring committed study over time to master. A good memory for large amounts of factual information is essential. Numerical work is an essential part of Chemistry so good Maths skills are required. You will need Core and Additional Science grade BB or above OR GCSE grade B in Chemistry or above plus a grade B in GCSE Maths.