Chemistry

Course summary

Chemistry is the study of the nature, properties, and composition of matter, and how these change. It covers a wide range of subjects such as geology (geochemistry), astronomy (astrochemistry), and physics (physical and analytical chemistry). Everything you hear, see, smell, taste, and touch involves chemistry and chemicals (matter). Hearing, seeing, tasting and touching all involve an intricate series of chemical reactions and interactions in your body. A Level of chemistry will broaden your range as a student and help you develop very essential skills that can be applied well in other areas; these include problem-solving, numeracy and practical skills, as well as developing a broad scientific background. Through this course, the relevance of chemistry to our everyday lives will be realised as it will be delivered in a range of different contexts, conveying the excitement of contemporary chemistry. We place particular emphasis on an investigational and problem-solving approach to practical work. There will be a wide range of practical investigations and experiments to complete. The content you will study includes the development of practical skills in chemistry, storylines (‘Elements of Life’), developing fuels, elements from the sea, ‘The Ozone Story’, ‘What’s in a Medicine?’, the chemical industry, polymers and life, oceans, developing metals, colour by design, chemical literacy and practical endorsement.