Chemistry

Why study Chemistry?

There is much more to Chemistry than white coats, laboratories and mixing chemicals together. If you have a passion for understanding natural phenomena and analytical problem-solving, then Chemistry is the subject for you.

Chemistry has a significant impact on everyday life. Chemists play a vital role in product and resource innovation and in researching how processes such as global warming happen, so that solutions can be found. Developing new technologies and materials is a growth area so there is a significant demand for chemists in all areas of industry.

How is the course examined? Examination

The content is wholly assessed by terminal examinations.

Paper One is a two hour paper which covers core content in all topics.

Paper Two is a 1 hour 15 minute paper covering all content across all topics.

Both papers employ a mixture of question types from long answer to multiple choice. Paper one constitutes 61% of the final mark with Paper Two making up the remaining 39%. There are no required or assessed practicals but an understanding of experimental technique is assessed across both papers, and practical sessions form a core part of the course.

What does the course cover?

Principles of Chemistry:

Atomic structure, bonding, the periodic table, formulae, equations and calculations, and the properties of matter

Inorganic Chemistry:

Groups of the periodic table, the atmosphere, metals and the reactivity series, acids, alkalis and salts and chemical analysis

Physical Chemistry:

Kinetics, energetics, equilibria and electrolysis

Organic Chemistry:

Crude oil, alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters and polymers