A2 Chemistry
How do I get a full A level in Chemistry?
To get a certificate for Advanced GCE, (the full A level), you will need to have been assessed on your performance in the three AS units, together with three further units, known as A2 units. This means that your AS grade, at the end of the lower sixth, will represent 50% of your full A level grade. In the upper sixth the following three modules are taken:
Module 2814 Chains, Rings and Spectroscopy
In this module you will learn about how chemists use organic compounds to manufacture useful materials such as pharmaceuticals, antiseptics, perfumes, dyes and polymers. You will also learn about how spectroscopy is used to find the structure of carbon compounds. Spectroscopy is a very important tool for chemists but involves the use of expensive hardware. This module will therefore require a visit to a nearby university chemistry department, to utilise their spectroscopic equipment.
1. Arenes
2. Carbonyl compounds
3. Carboxylic acids and esters
4. Nitrogen compounds
5. Stereoisomerism and organic synthesis
6. Polymerisation
7. Spectroscopy
A 90 minute written examination in January of your upper sixth will test your understanding of this module.
This following module has two parts.
2815/1 Trends and Patterns
In this module you will learn about lattice energy, and the Periodic Table including trends of compounds in Period 3 and patterns shown by the Transition Elements.
1. Lattice enthalpy
2. Period 3 of the Periodic Table
3. The Transition elements
The second part has a number of options available of which one only is studied. The choice of module will depend largely on the strengths of the whole group (e.g. a group of mainly Biology students, would study Biochemistry, whilst a group of very mathematical students may study the Spectroscopy option. This choice will be made by the Head of Department to provide a ‘best fit’ for the whole group.
2815/2 Biochemistry
In this module you will learn about the structures of some of the chemicals in living organisms including proteins, enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids. The material will strongly overlap with the work covered in AS level Biology.
1. Proteins
2. Enzymes
3. Carbohydrates
4. Lipids & membrane structure
5. Nucleic acids
2815/4 Methods of Analysis and Detection
In this module you will learn about some of the modern analytical techniques used in universities, hospitals and in many scientific areas of employment. The techniques studied include chromatography and the combined use of spectroscopic methods.
1. Chromatography & electrophoresis
2. Mass spectrometry
3. Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
4. Ultraviolet / Visible Absorption Spectroscopy
5. Combined Spectral Techniques
A 60 minute written examination will test your understanding of the first part of the module, whilst the optional part will consist of an additional 50 minute written examination. These will take place in June of your upper sixth.
Module 2816/1 Unifying Concepts
In this module you will learn about the physical chemistry that explains much of the chemistry encountered in all the other modules. You will learn how to accurately monitor reaction rates, how chemists measure reversible reactions and how acids, bases and buffers work. This is what is known as a synoptic module, which means that you could be tested on material you have covered on some of the previous modules.
1. How Fast? (Rates of Reaction 2)
2. How far? (Equilibrium 2)
3. Acids, bases and buffers
You will be tested on this module in June of the upper sixth as a synoptic examination of 75 minutes. This will test the knowledge, understanding and skills you have learnt throughout the course.
Will there be any coursework to carry out?
Since Chemistry is a science subject, practical and investigative work will have to be assessed.
This is done by means of 90 minute practical examinations at the end of the lower and upper sixth.
This will be very similar to your coursework in the fifth form where you were assessed for planning experiments, obtaining evidence, analysing the data and evaluating the experimental procedures.
A typical practical examination would consist of:
