Chemistry

Course summary

Chemistry is studied in three main branches: — Physical Chemistry – the understanding of how chemistry works. — Organic Chemistry – the study of compounds containing carbon (the chemistry of life). — Inorganic Chemistry – the study of the elements and patterns in the Periodic Table. In Year 12 you will be given a solid grounding in foundation Chemistry. You will develop your GCSE understanding of the reactivity of atoms and molecules and gain an understanding of atomic and molecular structure. The construction of the Periodic Table is considered and organic chemistry is introduced. In Year 13 you gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of the three branches of Chemistry. Chemists are highly valued scientists, providing expertise in the fields of medicine, veterinary science, pharmacy, dentistry, chemical engineering, polymer science, materials science and many other disciplines. For all of these employment areas advanced higher education training is required. Entry to such courses invariably demands Chemistry as an essential qualification. Chemistry will expand your thinking and help you develop sophisticated models of some abstract processes and structures. It will train you to sort and analyse data, communicating the outcomes using appropriate scientific language. This is a tremendously valuable skill which is well regarded no matter what course of study is pursued beyond A Level. A Level of Chemistry is a challenging and rewarding course of study, which requires absolute commitment to make a success of the subject. The calculations aspect of the course requires a good Mathematical grounding from GCSE.