THE THOMAS HARDYE SCHOOL
AS Chemistry – Edexcel Syllabus
Subject Entry Requirements:
It is expected that students will have achieved a GCSE grade B in
Chemistry or Double Award Science and a GCSE grade B in
Mathematics & English.
Is the course suitable for me?
This qualification is suitable for students who:
• have an interest in and enjoyment of Chemistry
• enjoy carrying out experiment work
• want to use Chemistry to support other qualifications or progress onto
further studies
What will I study on this course?
The qualification aims to:
• stimulate and sustain students’ interest in and enjoyment of Chemistry
• show the inter-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 skills in laboratory procedures and techniques and carry these
out with due regard for safety, and assess the uses and limitations of
the procedures
• foster imaginative and critical thinking as well as the acquisition of
knowledge, together with an appreciation of the intellectual discipline
which the subject provides
• develop students’ ability to understand the link between the theory and
experiment
What are the ways in which I will study?
Students will be involved in discussion work, individual research,
presentation of topics, problem solving and a wide range of practical
approaches.
What is the method of assessment? When will I be assessed?
Two units are assessed by written examinations. The Unit 1 paper will be
assessed in January and the Unit 2 paper in June. In addition, practical
work will be assessed throughout the course which makes up 20% of the
final grade. The unit test papers will examine knowledge, understanding
and application of the content of the course and will consist of objective,
short and extended answer questions.
What next?
AS is the first half of the A Level course, consisting of three units with
two written examinations. You can take the AS course on its own or
continue to A2 level the following year. If you do decide to take the
second half of the course, it will cover three more units. One of these will
once again be an assessment of practical work and the two written
examinations will be similarly examined in both January and June
Course Details:
Unit 1: The Core Principles of Chemistry
1.3 Formulae, Equations and Amounts of Substance
1.4 Energetics
1.5 Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table
1.6 Bonding
1.7 Introductory Organic Chemistry
Unit 2: Application of the Core Principles of Chemistry
2.3 Shapes of Molecules and Ions
2.4 Intermediate Bonding and Bond Polarity
2.5 Intermolecular Forces
2.6 Redox
2.7 The Periodic Table – groups 2 and 7
2.8 Kinetics
2.9 Chemical Equilibria
2.10 Organic Chemistry
2.11 Mechanisms
2.12 Mass Spectra and IR
2.13 Green Chemistry
Unit 3: Chemistry Laboratory Skills I
This unit involves a number of practical assessments which cover the
contents of Units 1 and 2.
Who to Contact for Further Information:
Miss L Hilton – Chemistry Coordinator
Mr D Flello – Deputy Sixth Form Coordinator
Mr A Dellar, Mr M Januszewski, Mrs P Starbuck and Mr D Mellon in the
Science Department