Thornleigh Sixth Form

The A Level course in Chemistry builds upon the ideas that have been learnt and understood at GCSE. The course aims to stimulate interest in and enjoyment of chemistry, to foster imaginative, logical and critical thinking and to demonstrate the wider application of chemical knowledge in the modern world.

A level Chemistry is very academic and highly theoretical, integrating experimental work and developing investigative and manipulative skills. Throughout the course, students will have the opportunity to develop their practical competency. Chemistry is a rewarding and fascinating subject that requires good organisation skills and the ability to work both within a team and as an individual.

Entry Requirements

Maths GCSE grade 6

Grade 6:6 in Combined Science GCSE or grade 6 in Chemistry GCSE

What will I Study?

Three branches of Chemistry will be taught: Physical, Inorganic and Organic.

Year 12 Physical Chemistry: Atomic structure, Redox, Bonding, Amounts of substance, Energetics, Chemical equilibria, Kinetics

Year 12 Inorganic Chemistry: Group 2, Group 7, Periodicity

Year 12 Organic Chemistry: Naming & Structural Isomerism, Alkanes, Alkenes, Haloalkanes, Alcohols, Organic analysis, Optical Isomerism, Aldehydes & Ketones

Year 13 Physical Chemistry: Chemical equilibria, Thermodynamics, Electrode potentials, Rate equations, Acids and bases

Year 13 Inorganic Chemistry: Period 3, Transition metal chemistry, Reactions of ions in aqueous solution

Year 13 Organic Chemistry: Carboxylic acids and derivatives, Aromatics chemistry, Amines, Polymers, Amino acids, proteins and DNA, NMR, Chromatography, Organic synthesis

Which exam board is used and how will I be assessed?

The exam board is AQA.

Click here to access the exam board webpage for this specification.

There will be 3 exam papers at the end of the course (worth 35%, 35% and 30%).

Each paper is 2 hours long. The types of questions will be short and long answers, questions on practical techniques and data analysis and multiple choice questions.

A separate endorsement of practical skills will be taken alongside the A Level.

Where could this subject take me?

The possibilities are endless! We have students who become doctors, lawyers, teachers, optometrists, engineers, and more. By completing chemistry, you will be fully prepared for a very large number of degree opportunities due to the skills that you will develop. Chemistry is a very versatile subject and a facilitating subject for University. Other typical science based courses include degrees in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacy and forensic science.

Chemistry is a crucial and essential prerequisite for most medicine, dentistry and veterinary science courses. There are also numerous Chemistry related apprenticeship routes including laboratory technicians, dispensing analysts and those involving research for big companies such as AstraZeneca, Unilever, GlaxoSmithKline and BAE systems.

How can I get ahead in this subject

Popular Science books include:
The Science of Everyday life by Marty Jopson
Why chemical reactions happen by James Keeler & Peter Wothers
H2O, a biography of water by Philip Ball
The billion dollar molecule by Barry Werth
Quantum, A guide for the perplexed by Jim Al-Khalili

Interesting websites include:

Places to visit include:
The Science and Industry Museum, Manchester
Manchester Museum

Great playlists include:

Good podcasts include:
The naked scientists
Science in Action
In our time
Competitions to enter include:
UK Chemistry Olympiad
Stockholm Junior Water Prize