An A Level science student at Sunderland College.

A-Level Chemistry

School leaver

Start Date:	Duration:	Level:	Study mode:	Course Location:	Course Type:
September	2 years	Level 3	Part-Time - Day	Bede Campus	A-Levels	Apply	Enquire

What’s it all about?

This course is ideal if you are interested and intrigued by science and are keen to develop an understanding of the world of atoms, molecules and chemical reactions.

The course is split into three main sections: physical, inorganic and organic.

You will study each of the sections in year 12 and again in greater depth in year 13.

What do you need to apply for the course?

You will need 5 GCSE's at grades 5-9, including grade 6 in Maths, Science at grade 6, or Chemistry and another science at grade 6.

*Course costs

Study level	Cost	Additional fees
16-18	Free	You will need to provide your own stationery and you will be given the opportunity to take part in trips and visits.

On this course you will learn through theoretical lessons with practical work inside and outside of the classroom.
This course covers a range of topics including organic chemistry and physical chemistry.

Maths & English

English and Maths are important life skills that will help you to achieve your best in your studies and progress to your dream career. If you have not already achieved grade 9-4 in GCSE Maths and/ or English at school, we will support you to improve your skills.

Time commitments

You will attend 3 lessons per week lasting for 1.5 hours each time and you are expected to commit at least the same amount of time to independent study.

Times for delivery

Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm. Days and times of study are subject to change. Timetables are confirmed at the start of term.

Aims

The aim of this course is to give you a good grounding in chemistry that you can take forward into one of the many scientific degrees offered at university.

Modules

The topics you cover will include:

Physical chemistry -
- Atomic structure
- Amount of substance
- Bonding
- Energetics
- Kinetics
- Chemical equilibria, Le Chatelier’s principle and Kc
- Oxidation, reduction and redox equations
- Thermodynamics
- Rate equations
- Equilibrium constant Kp for homogeneous systems
- Electrode potentials and electrochemical cells
- Acids and bases

Inorganic chemistry -
- Periodicity
- Group 2, the alkaline earth metals
- Group 7(17), the halogens
- Properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides
- Transition metals
- Reactions of ions in aqueous solution

Organic chemistry -
-Introduction to organic chemistry
- Alkanes
- Halogenoalkanes
- Alkenes
- Alcohols
- Organic analysis
- Optical isomerism
- Aldehydes and ketones
- Carboxylic acids and derivatives
- Aromatic chemistry
- Amines
- Polymers
- Amino acids, proteins and DNA
- Organic synthesis
- Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
- Chromatography

What’s next?

A-Level Chemistry opens the door to a range of careers in areas like pharmacy, medicine, nursing, radiography and even law.

The course will give you the scientific discipline needed to study higher education science at Sunderland College or university, or get an entry level position in the industry.

A-Level Chemistry allows you to develop your understanding of chemistry by delving deeper into the subject than at GCSE. Through your studies you’ll form independent theories and areas of interest which you could take further at university and beyond.

Chemistry is one of the very few A-level subjects that is a requirement for some degree courses, including medicine, veterinary science, dentistry and some biomedical degrees. It is also on the Russell Group Universities’ list of facilitating subjects.