Chemistry A Level

What is A Level Chemistry all about?

Chemistry is, in the simplest terms, the science of substances and how they change. It is a highly practical subject with significant teaching time spent in the lab performing experiments, developing both knowledge and scientific skills.

Over a 2 year period, students study four areas of Chemistry namely Physical, Organic, Inorganic and Analytical chemistry. The course enables students to pursue a broad range of careers and university degrees.

Students might find a career working for pharmaceutical or metallurgical companies, or providing analysis for commercial laboratories. The criminal justice system needs chemistry graduates to work as forensic scientists, providing evidence for the courts using state-of-the-art techniques. The healthcare system needs Doctors, Nurses, Dentists, Psychiatrists, Biochemists, Pharmacists, Pharmacologists, Research Scientists and Toxicologist.

Outside of the lab there are many opportunities for chemists. Graduates can become consultants in fields like the environment and sustainability, offering insights into how organisations should adhere to environmental regulations. Chemistry also gives students the scientific insight to pursue careers like becoming a patent attorney.

The Pearson Edexcel Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chemistry consists of three externally examined papers and the Science Practical Endorsement. Students are expected to carry out the sixteen core practical experiments that are identified in the topics.

Assessment :

Paper 1: Advanced Inorganic and Physical Chemistry

This paper will examine the following topics. The topics marked with an * are taught in the first year

Topic 1*: Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
Topic 2*: Bonding and Structure
Topic 3*: Redox I
Topic 4*: Inorganic Chemistry and the Periodic Table
Topic 5*: Formulae, Equations and Amounts of Substance
Topic 8*: Energetics I
Topic 10*: Equilibrium I
Topic 11: Equilibrium II
Topic 12: Acid-base Equilibria
Topic 13: Energetics II
Topic 14: Redox II
Topic 15: Transition Metals

Paper 2: Advanced Organic and Physical Chemistry

This paper will examine the following topics. The topics marked with an * are taught in the first year

Topic 2*: Bonding and Structure
Topic 3*: Redox I
Topic 5*: Formulae, Equations and Amounts of Substance
Topic 6*: Organic Chemistry I
Topic 7*: Modern Analytical Techniques I
Topic 9*: Kinetics I
Topic 16: Kinetics II
Topic 17: Organic Chemistry II
Topic 18: Organic Chemistry III
Topic 19: Modern Analytical Techniques II

Paper 3: General and Practical Principles in Chemistry

*Questions in this paper may draw on any of the topics in this specification. The paper will include questions that assess understanding of the experimental methods (practical skills) that will draw on students’ experiences of the core practicals.