Chemistry

Course summary

Chemistry is the study of substances, what they are made of, how they interact and what role they play in living things. From the moment you are born until you die, you are surrounded by chemistry: in the air you breathe, the food you eat and the clothes you wear. Without the advancement of chemical science, we would have no plastics, no synthetic fibres and no fuels for cars or planes. Many lives would be lost without the chemical technology that has brought us medicines or allowed us to treat contaminated water in developing countries. The primary aim of studying chemistry is to stimulate us to think about the world around us and understand the properties of the materials within it. By studying the subject to an advanced level, you will improve your problem solving skills, apply your mathematical ability and develop precision in working with your hands. In dealing with potentially harmful substances, chemists learn to take responsibility for themselves and the welfare of others.