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COURSE REQUIREMENTS:  

GCSE Chemistry Grade 5 or GCSE Combined Science both Grade 5
with a Grade 5 GCSE Mathematics.

WHAT IS THE COURSE CONTENT AND HOW WILL I BE EXAMINED?

YEAR 12

Organic Chemistry – ‘Introduction to organic chemistry, alkanes and halogenoalkanes, alkenes, alcohols, organic analysis.
Physical Chemistry – Atomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, kinetics,
chemical equilibria & Le Chatelier’s principle and oxidation, reduction and redox
Inorganic Chemistry – Periodicity, Group 2- the alkaline earth metals and Group 7 (17), the halogens

YEAR 13

Organic Chemistry – Optical isomerism, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and esters, aromatic chemistry, amines, polymers, amino acids, proteins and DNA, organic synthesis, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and chromatography.
Physical Chemistry – Thermodynamics, rate equations, equilibrium constant Kc, electrode potentials & electrochemical cells and acids & bases
Inorganic Chemistry – Properties of period 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals and reactions of ions in aqueous solutions.

There will be three, two hour examinations covering the content and practical skills learned during the course. 

A-Level Exam Board: 

AQA 

Contact details: 

Head of department Mr T Brown
T.Brown@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk@st-nicholas.cheshire.sch.uk 

ST NICHOLAS EXTRA: 

  • A Level Chemistry students benefit from visiting a chemical facility where they experience how Chemistry is used on a large scale in industry.  
  • 12 required practicals, as well as several additional investigations will be completed by students over the two-year course. 
  • Students have the opportunity to compete in the UK Chemistry Olympiad; this is a unique chance for students to push themselves further, develop critical problem-solving skills, learn to think more creatively and get a chance to test their knowledge in new, real-world situations.  
  • All students are invited to participate in scheduled drop-in sessions to benefit from extra support and challenge from their experienced A Level Chemistry teachers. 

SUGGESTED PRE-READING:

Apply Now

“I have thoroughly enjoyed studying A level chemistry at St Nicholas Catholic Sixth Form. A level chemistry has allowed me to study the world at a molecular level. The applications and opportunities that chemistry gives seems to be endless and the skills learnt can be applied to a plethora of industries.”
Luke Deegan, Year 13 Student

Dear Young People,
Do not bury your talents, the gifts that God has given you!
Do not be afraid to dream of great things!

Pope Francis