Science – Chemistry
Why study chemistry?
There are three very good reasons for choosing A Level Chemistry at Elutec.
Firstly everything we do at Elutec is related to our goal of producing excellent Engineers, so your Chemistry lessons will have a practical connection with the real world that many colleges cannot replicate. Our industry and university links give us the edge in that you will meet real scientists carrying out research and designing products using the science you will be learning about in your lessons.
The second reason is that the pursuit of chemistry saves and changes lives. Without chemists we do not have medicine and drugs we need to treat serious illnesses such as cancer, we wouldn’t have the materials to develop new technologies such as the newest smart phones and tablets, without chemistry chasing new materials and substances we will never have the chance at developing new fuels and more efficient engine systems. Without a knowledge of chemistry we wouldn’t even have the faintest idea of how life started on this planet.
Thirdly, A Level chemistry is one of the most highly regarded qualifications in the world. Top universities and employers scramble to recruit chemists every year after results day, as they know the future of this country and others depends on good, reliable and innovative science. They know that chemistry graduates have the skill, concepts and mathematical ability to push the limits of our understanding to create new ways of solving problems in the modern world.
Our sponsors and partners are actively looking for highly trained chemistry graduates, and the links we have at Elutec with international companies Ford Motor Company mean that our students have the opportunity to meet and impress the top players in the industry.
Chemistry is not simply about mixing chemicals together and seeing what happens, it is the careful pursuit of the solution to a problem by rigorous and responsible testing. It is the quest to understand not just why the glue doesn’t stick to the inside of the bottle, but also why the bottle doesn’t stick to us.
Course outline
In years 12 and 13, you will have 5 lessons of Chemistry a week. This is enough time for you to cover the unit content and allows a lot of time at the end of each topic to recap and practice examination style questions to prepare you for the final year exams.
YEAR 1
- Physical chemistry 1: Atomic structure, Amount of substance, Bonding, Energetics, Kinetics, Chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s principle, Oxidation, reduction and redox equations.
- Inorganic chemistry 1: Periodicity, Group 2, the alkaline earth metals, Group 7, the halogens.
- Organic chemistry 1: Introduction to organic chemistry, Alkanes, Halogenoalkanes, Alkenes, Alcohols, Organic analysis.
YEAR 2
- Physical Chemistry 2: Thermodynamics, Rate equations, Equilibrium constant Kc for homogeneous systems, Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells, Acids and bases.
- Inorganic Chemistry 2: Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides, Transition metals, Reactions of ions in aqueous solution.
- Organic Chemistry 2: Optical isomerism, Aldehydes and ketones, Carboxylic acids and derivatives, Aromatic chemistry, Amines, Polymers, Amino acids, proteins and DNA, Organic synthesis. Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
There are 12 required practical investigations placed throughout the course that students will be expected to carry out and learn about, these will be thoroughly planned and evaluated by students after each experimental session.
Entry requirements
A/A* in relevant GCSE Sciences and Maths. Core science is not adequate for entry without additional science at the same grade. Students with a grade B will be considered at the discretion of the Head of Department.
Resources
4 brand new laboratories including all gas and electrical fixtures.
Extensive resources for all core practical’s.
Access to 3D printing.
Extension activities
Science club
This course will prepare me for…
National apprenticeships in chemical engineering.
Higher apprenticeships in applied chemistry in industry.
University courses in chemistry, applied chemistry, medicine, engineering and many more.
Quotes
“Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.” Marie Curie
