What is the course about?
At Campion we offer AS/A2 AQA Chemistry. The aim is to develop your interest in, and enthusiasm for Chemistry. The exam board we have chosen is highly regarded by universities and been used by the school to teach A-Level Chemistry for many years. The course is designed to provide you with a balanced coherent study of chemistry in which chemical principles are developed.
AS and first year of A-level topics
1.Physical chemistry – This topic for AS includes atomic structure, bonding, energetics, kinetics, chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s principle.
2.Inorganic chemistry – This topic for AS includes periodicity, Group 2 the alkaline earth metals and Group 7 the halogens.
3.Organic chemistry –This topic includes information on the following compounds; alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alkenes, alcohols and organic analysis.
Second year of A-level topics
4.Physical chemistry – This topic for A2 includes AS subtopics as well as; thermodynamics, rate equations, equilibrium constant for homogeneous systems, electrode potentials and electrochemical cells.
5.Inorganic chemistry – This topic for A2 includes AS subtopics as well as; properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals and reactions of ions in aqueous solution.
6.Organic chemistry – This topic for A2 includes AS subtopics as well as; optical isomerism, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, aromatic chemistry, amines, polymers, amino acids, proteins and DNA, organic synthesis, NMR spectroscopy and chromatography.
How will I be assessed?
The AS/A2 Chemistry course is assessed through written examinations in June. The students are also assessed on the scientific practical skills they demonstrate throughout the course.
Students on the Chemistry course will be assessed in the following way:
Paper 1: Any content from Topics 1-4 above. 1 hour 30 minute paper worth 50%.
Paper 2: Any content from Topics 1-4above. 1 hour 30 minute paper worth 50%.
Paper 1: Any content from Topics 1-4 above. 2 hour paper worth 35%.
Paper 2: Any content from Topics 5-8 above. 2 hour paper worth 35%.
Paper 3: Any content from Topics 1-8 above. 2 hour paper worth 30%.
How will this course help me in the future?
The course prepares students to progress into further or higher education, to follow degrees in chemistry, medicine, biochemistry, or related subjects, or into employment where knowledge of chemistry would be useful. As a facilitating subject Chemistry is viewed highly by many of the top universities for its academic challenge.