CHEMISTRY

EXAMINATION BOARD:  EDEXCEL Advanced Subsidiary (AS Level) (8080)

                                         Advanced Level (A Level) (9080)

What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?

The qualification builds on the knowledge, understanding and process skills met at GCSE. It is expected that you will have achieved at least a GCSE Grade A in Chemistry or Grade A in both Science and Additional Science GCSEs.

The qualification integrates theory with practical work, and develops a range of skills, including analytical laboratory techniques.

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

·                    enables you to gain a knowledge and understanding of chemistry appropriate to AS/A level and to appreciate the patterns that link the different areas of the subject

·                    show the relationship between the development of the subject and its application (social, economic, environmental and technological and recognise the value of chemistry to society and how it may be used responsibly

·                    develop your skills in laboratory procedures and techniques

·                    develop your ability to acquire knowledge by means of practical work

What kind of student is this qualification suitable for?

This qualification is suitable for students who:

·                    have an interest in and enjoyment of chemistry

·                    enjoy carrying out investigations by the application of imaginative, logical and critical thinking

·                    want to use chemistry to support other qualifications or progress onto further studies.

What examinations will I have to take to get my qualification?

AS

AS is short for Advanced Subsidiary GCE.  This is the first half of the A level course.  It is a stepping-stone to the full A level qualification. You may choose to complete your chemistry studies with the AS qualification but most students will continue on to take the full Advanced level qualification.

Unit 1: Structure, Bonding and Main Group Chemistry

A written examination of 1 hour, consisting of structured questions to be answered on the question paper.

5.1              Atomic Structure

5.2            Formulae, Equations and Moles

5.3            Structure and Bonding

5.4            Periodic Table 1

5.5            Introduction to Oxidation and Reduction - basic ideas of redox

5.6            Group 1 (lithium to caesium) and Group 2 (beryllium to barium)

5.7            Group 7 (chlorine to iodine)

Unit 2: Introductory Organic Chemistry, Energetic, Kinetic and Equilibrium

             and Applications

A written examination of 1 hour, consisting of structured questions, plus some opportunity for extended writing.  The questions will be answered on the question paper.

2.1     Energetics I - Hess's law

5.1              Organic Chemistry I - introduction, alkanes, alkenes, halogenoalkanes and alcohols

2.2     Kinetics I - qualitative

5.2            Chemical Equilibria I - qualitative

5.3            Industrial Inorganic Chemistry - Haber Process, Contact Process and the extraction of aluminium

Unit 3:      Laboratory Chemistry I

Unit 3A - Internal assessment of practical work I

Unit 3B  Laboratory Chemistry - a written examination of 1 hour that will examine students' ability to interpret information generated and drawn from experimental situations in the laboratory.  

A level

The full A level qualification is made up of the AS units plus three more units which are studied at a higher level.  If you do decide to take the second half of the course it will cover the three units described below.  The second half of the course is sometimes called A2.

Unit 4:      Perodicity, Qualitative Equilibra and Functional Group Chemistry

A written examination of 1 hour 30 minutes, consisting of structured questions to be answered on the question paper.

5.1              Energetics II - lattice energies

5.2            Periodic Table II - chemical periodicity across Period 3 and down Group 4

5.3            Chemical Equilibria II - quantitative

5.4            Acid-Base Equilibria

5.5            Organic Chemistry II - acids, esters, carbonyls, acid chlorides, nitrogen compounds and further halogenocompounds

Unit 5:      Transition Metals, Qualitiative Kinetic and Applied Organic Chemistry

A written examination of 1 hour 30 minutes, consisting of structured questions

and which will also examine some synoptic issues.  The examination will consist

of two sections: structured questions and a choice of longer answer questions.

5.1              Redox Equilibria

5.2            Transition Metal Chemistry

5.3            Organic Chemistry III

5.4            Chemical Kinetics II - quantitative

5.5            Organic Chemistry IV - analysis, synthesis and applications

Unit 6:      Laboratory Chemistry I

Unit 6A - Internal assessment of practical II

Unit 6B - Synoptic - written paper of 1 hour 30 minutes drawing together all aspects of the course.

How can I develop my full range of skills by doing this qualification?

As well as covering the AS and A level course of Chemistry, you will also

develop some Key Skills, which will be important to you whatever you go on to do

afterwards.  The Key Skills you can develop during this course are:

Communication

·                    Taking part in discussions on topical issues

·                    Preparing written documents for your practical work

·                    Using reference materials from books, CD-ROMs and the Internet

Application of number

·                    Planning to collect results from experiments and presenting them in a suitable format

·                    Carrying out calculations on the data collected in experiments

·                    Interpreting the results from experiments and seeing how this relates to your plan

Information technology

·                    Using word processing software to present written reports and prepare presentations

·                    Plan and design a spreadsheet to support your experiments, be able to select a suitable graphical format to show trends and patterns in your data

Problem solving

·                    e.g. Planning an investigation to look at tests to distinguish between primary, secondary and tertiary alcohols

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 are also possible.