Course Content

Chemical Changes and Structure

This unit covers the knowledge and understanding of controlling reaction rates and periodic trends, and strengthens the learner’s ability to make reasoned evaluations by recognising underlying patterns and principles. Learners will investigate collision theory and the use of catalysts in reactions. They will explore the concept of electronegativity and intramolecular and intermolecular forces. The connection between bonding and a material’s physical properties is investigated.

Researching Chemistry

This unit covers the key skills necessary to undertake research in chemistry. Learners will research the relevance of chemical theory to everyday life by exploring the chemistry behind a topical issue. Learners will develop the key skills associated with collecting and synthesising information from a number of different sources. Equipped with the knowledge of common chemistry apparatus and techniques, they will plan and undertake a practical investigation related to a topical issue.

Nature’s Chemistry

This unit covers the knowledge and understanding of organic chemistry within the context of the chemistry of food and the chemistry of everyday consumer products, soaps, detergents, fragrances and skincare. The relationship between the structure of organic compounds, their physical and chemical properties and their uses are investigated. Key functional groups and types of organic reaction are covered.

Chemistry in Society

This unit covers the knowledge and understanding of the principles of physical chemistry which allow a chemical process to be taken from the researcher’s bench through to industrial production. Learners will calculate quantities of reagents and products, percentage yield and the atom economy of processes. They will develop skills to manipulate dynamic equilibria and predict enthalpy changes. Learners will investigate the ability of substances to act as oxidising or reducing agents and their use in analytical chemistry through the context of volumetric titrations. Learners will use analytical chemistry to determine the purity of reagents and products.

Assignment Learners

will apply skills of scientific inquiry, using related knowledge, to carry out a meaningful and appropriately challenging task in chemistry and communicate findings.

Assessment

• Internal examinations at the end of each unit.

• Internal assessment of practical skills within each unit.

• A practical/research assignment.

• External examination at the end of the course.