CHEMISTRY
What does the course involve?
Studying chemistry is about trying to understand the universe. Chemists want to know what
makes the world work and to take familiar substances apart and put them back together in new
and different ways. Studying chemistry at A level can be hard work but it can also be lots of fun.
There is quite a lot of new material to learn and also much which is familiar but covered in
greater depth.
We follow the AQA course which allows you to study the theoretical aspects of chemistry and
test them against experiments you can carry out in the school laboratories.
The course is split into the traditional three branches of chemistry:

Physical – the numerical and theoretical aspects of chemistry

Inorganic – chemistry of the elements of the Periodic Table

Organic – a huge and ever-expanding field about the limitless compounds based on
carbon.
What qualifications do I need?
This course is suitable for students who have enjoyed and achieved success in double science
or the separate sciences. You will also need to be comfortable with manipulating numbers and
rearranging numerical equations.
Assessment
The course will be assessed at the end of Year 12 with a standalone AS qualification (2 written
papers) and at the end of Year 13 with the A level examinations (3 written papers). The A
level examinations will test all the material you have met during the two years of the course.
There will also be an on-going assessment of your competence at carrying out practical
experiments.
General Comments
Chemists conduct experiments to study how elements work in different conditions, test how they
mix, and work out what they are made up of right down to the tiniest particle. The results can be
groundbreaking, colourful, explosive, or almost impossible to see.
Chemists use their experiments and knowledge to develop medicines, foods, fabrics and other
materials, from neon lights to shatterproof glass.
Chemistry helps you to develop research, problem solving and analytical skills. It helps to you
challenge ideas and show how you worked things out through logic and step-by-step reasoning.
Chemistry often requires teamwork and communication skills too, which is great for project
management.
Future Prospects
Chemistry is sometimes known as the ‘central science’ because it helps to connect physical
sciences, like maths and physics, with applied sciences, like biology, medicine and engineering.
Chemistry is an important subject for careers in: medicine, environmental science, engineering,
toxicology, developing consumer products, metallurgy (studying how metals behave), space
exploration, developing perfumes and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, energy, teaching, science
writing, software development and research.