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Examination Board: OCR
Chemistry is the study of the properties and reactions of substances. Practical work is an important element of the course.
With a qualification in Chemistry, a student could go on to Further or Higher Education, studying Chemistry or one of the other sciences or related subjects, such as Medicine, Pharmacy, Veterinary Science or Chemical Engineering, Sports Science or work in science-based industry, the medical field or agriculture.
Other subject that would go well with Chemistry at AS or GCE Advanced level are Biology, Mathematics and Physics. However, other combinations of subjects, including Geology and Geography, are also suitable. Students who are concentrating on arts, humanities or modern language subjects may wish to take Chemistry to AS level to broaden their studies, by continuing to take a science subject.
The Salters Advanced Chemistry Course is divided into 13 teaching sections (themes), 5 in AS and 8 in A2.
The assessment structure for Chemistry (Salters) is:
|Elements of Life||The study of some elements in the human body, the solar system and the universe.|
|A study of fuels and the contributions that Chemists make to the development of better fuels.|
|Elements from the Sea||A study of the extraction of halogens from the minerals in the sea together with an examination of the properties and uses of Group 7 elements and their compounds.|
|The Atmosphere||A study of chemical processes occurring in the atmosphere that have important influences, including the depletion of ozone in the upper atmosphere and the greenhouse effect in the lower atmosphere.|
|Polymer Revolution||The story of the development of addition polymers, many of which were the result of ‘chance’ discoveries.|
|Coursework||Internally assessed coursework using separate skills tests in 5 key areas:
– Analysis and evaluation
20% of AS course
|Unit F334||Chemistry of Materials
(What’s in a Medicine?, Materials Revolution, The Thread of Life and The Steel Story)
|What’s in a Medicine? Is the story of aspirin and illustrates some of the features of the pharmaceutical industry
In Materials Revolution students will continue the story of polymers with a study of condensation polymers, such as nylons and Kevlar, designed to have particular properties.
The Thread of Life is a study of proteins, the role of DNA in protein synthesis and the use of chemistry to ‘engineer’ proteins with particular properties.
The Steel Story focuses on steel as a material, the processes used to make it and prevent its corrosion.
|Unit F335||Chemistry by Design
Aspects of Agriculture, Colour by Design, The oceans, Medicines by Design)
|Aspects of Agriculture is a study of the contribution that chemistry makes to ensure a safe and sufficient food supply.
Colour by Design explains why some compounds are coloured and describes the use of chemistry to provide colours to order.
The Oceans describes the role of the oceans in regulating the climate, in forming rocks and in supporting life.
Medicines by Design concerns the effects of chemicals on the body.
|Coursework: 90 marks (15%)
Assessment of 6 practical skill areas in the context of a single extended practical investigation.
A minimum of a Grade B at GCSE in Science plus 4 other GCSEs minimum grade C including English and Maths
Contact: Mrs J Clymo