Chemistry A Level

Course code: FTB005

School of Humanities & Science

The Programme

A stimulating, practical based course that revises and builds upon the topics you have covered at GCSE, as well as exploring many new topics such as spectroscopy and the transition metals.

Units at AS Level cover atomic structure and bonding, the periodic table, rates of reaction (and others) and studies them in more depth. Approximately a third of the course looks at organic (carbon based) chemistry where you investigate the reactions of different organic families such as alkenes and alcohols. You will then study three more units in year two to complete the A Level. These second year topics include aromatic compounds and amines, identifying mechanisms for chemical reactions and learning how to conduct characteristic tests for carbonyl compounds. There is also more application of mathematical formulae to Chemistry which includes using logarithmic functions to determine the pH of acids and alkalis.

The Programme Content

In the first year of studying A Level Chemistry you will study topics such as the structure of atoms, repeating trends in the periodic table, reactions of acids, alkenes and halogenoalkanes. You will also develop problem solving skills by learning to use analytical techniques in sprectroscopy to identify unknown structures.
In the second year, you will learn about cyclic organic compounds such as benzene and other arenes. You will use mechanisms to explain how a chemical reaction takes place and increase your application of mathematical formulae such as determining entropy changes of reactions. There are also opportunities for studying everyday applications of Chemistry, such as how buffers work to control the pH of our blood, and how redox reactions are used in fuel cells. Ofsted described the AS and A Level Chemistry courses as "outstanding" in our recent inspection report (April 2012).
We are extremely proud of our pass rates and high grades in chemistry. We achieve the best res

Entry Requirements

You will need a minimum of five GCSEs at grade C or above including Maths and English. You will also need a minimum of grade B in core science and additional science or a grade B in Chemistry.

Costs

We strongly recommend you buy a textbook which costs around £15. We will advise you on this when you arrive. Most students buy a lab coat for approximately £12. We organise educational visits and you will be asked to contribute to the cost*.

Venue

Barnstaple, Main Site

Progression

Many of our students go on to university to study a wide variety of courses as knowledge of Chemistry is essential for medicine, veterinary science, pharmacy, biochemistry, chemical engineering and the hundreds of other courses with chemistry in their title. It is also extremely useful if you want to study other sciences, especially Biology and Physics. We are successful in getting students into Oxford and Cambridge as well as all other universities around the country.

Length of Study

AS Level one year, A2 Level two years.

Academic Year

This course starts in the 2013 / 2014 academic year.