Chemistry 
 
GCSE
AQA GCSE Chemistry subject code 4421. See www.aqa.org for further details.

This is a modular course and consists of four sections, each worth 25% of the total marks. Three modular tests based mostly on the course content and a Centre Assessed Unit (CAU) based mostly on How Science Works.

Unit 1: This module can be examined by either a multiple choice paper or by a written paper. The multiple choice paper has two parts: 1a Products From Rocks  and 1b Oils Earth and The Atmosphere This multiple choice option is normally examined at the end of Year 11, with the possibility of repeating 1a, 1b, or both at the end of Year 12. The written paper covers 1a and 1b and can be a repeat option for those students who do not suit the multiple choice method.

Unit 1 content includes:
How do rocks provide building materials,
How do rocks provide metals and how are the metals used
How do we get fuels from crude oil
How are polymers and Ethanol made from oil
How can plant oil be used
What ate the changes in the earth and its atmosphere

Unit 2: This module can only be examined in the written format but can be done in January of Year 12 and repeated in June of Year 12 if necessary.

Unit 2 content includes:
How do sub atomic particles help us to understand the structure of substances
How do structure of substances influence their properties and uses.
Moles
The rates of chemical reactions
Energy of Chemical reactions
Ions in solution and electrolysis
Unit 3: This module can only be examined in the written format and only once at the end of Year 12.
Unit 3 content includes:
The periodic table
Acids and alkali
Water
Energy in chemical reactions
Centre Assessed Unit (CAU):
This unit replaces the old GCSE coursework and is worth 25%. It involves students completing a specified experiment where they have to produce a full set of results and a graph of these results. They then take an Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA) that asks questions based on the experiment they completed, the results, graph and How Science Works. There will also be some marks for Practical Skills Assessment (PSA) based on the student’s ability to safely and independently carry out experimental work.
 
A-LEVEL
AS LEVEL:
From September 2008 AS students will be studying the new AQA AS/A2 level Chemistry Course, code 2420. For more details see www.aqa.org.uk.
There are three modules covered at this level:
Module 1 – Foundation Chemistry (worth 33.5% of AS)
Module 2 – Chemistry in Action (worth 46.66% of AS)
Module 3 – Investigation and practical skills (worth 20% of AS)
There are 2 modular papers. The Modular paper in unit 1 is 1 hour 15 minutes in length. The Module paper in Unit 2 is 1 hour 45 minutes.  Module 3 is structured in a similar way to AQA GCSE in that it assesses investigative and practical skills. Here students are assessed on their practical skills all through their course and are assessed on their investigative skills in an ISA Examination paper. Module 1 will be examined in January of Year 13, to be repeated in June if necessary. Modules 2 and 3 will be examined in the Summer of Year 13 and can be repeated in year 14 if necessary.

A2 CHEMISTRY
There are three modules covered at this level. The AS modules will account for 50% of the marks awarded for the full A-level Chemistry course.
Module 4 – Kinetics Equilibrium AND Organic Chemistry
Module 5 – Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry
Module 6 – Investigative and Practical skills

Again there are 2 modular papers. Modular papers are 1 hour 45 minutes in length. Module 6 is assessed in a similar way to module 3. Module 4 will be examined in January of Year 14, to be repeated in June if necessary. Modules 5 and 6 will be examined in the Summer of Year 14.
Careers
The employment prospects for those with qualifications in Chemistry are generally good. Chemistry provides a route into many careers, and opportunities exist both in Britain and throughout Europe, and North America. These prospects are not confined to research, they extent into a wide range of industries, IT, medicine, high finance, marketing, business and management. The general skills of analysis and problem-solving that a Chemistry degree fosters, help Chemistry graduates to contribute effectively to most areas of an organisation’s activities.
A wide range of careers is open to the Chemistry graduate. Chemists and Chemical Engineers are involved in all aspects of the manufacturing industries, hence career opportunities are diverse and widespread. Possibilities include the Pharmaceutical industry, textiles, polymers, dyestuffs, cosmetics and all aspects of foodstuff production, forensic science, atomic energy, petrochemicals and gas, medicine and agriculture, process design and feasibility studies. Many graduates go to work in prestigious companies at home and abroad.
An important point to be made is that the study of Chemistry is compulsory in order to follow some of the most prestigious vocational degrees for example Medicine and Dentistry. For further details consult www.ucas.co.uk. 
 
Chemistry  
 
GCSE
AQA GCSE Chemistry subject code 4421. See www.aqa.org for further details.
This is a modular course and consists of four sections, each worth 25% of the total marks. Three modular tests based mostly on the course content and a Centre Assessed Unit (CAU) based mostly on How Science Works.

Unit 1: This module can be examined by either a multiple choice paper or by a written paper. The multiple choice paper has two parts: 1a Products From Rocks  and 1b Oils Earth and The Atmosphere This multiple choice option is normally examined at the end of Year 11, with the possibility of repeating 1a, 1b, or both at the end of Year 12. The written paper covers 1a and 1b and can be a repeat option for those students who do not suit the multiple choice method.

Unit 1 content includes:
How do rocks provide building materials,
How do rocks provide metals and how are the metals used
How do we get fuels from crude oil
How are polymers and Ethanol made from oil
How can plant oil be used
What ate the changes in the earth and its atmosphere

Unit 2: This module can only be examined in the written format but can be done in January of Year 12 and repeated in June of Year 12 if necessary.

Unit 2 content includes:
How do sub atomic particles help us to understand the structure of substances
How do structure of substances influence their properties and uses.
Moles
The rates of chemical reactions
Energy of Chemical reactions
Ions in solution and electrolysis
Unit 3: This module can only be examined in the written format and only once at the end of Year 12.
Unit 3 content includes:
The periodic table
Acids and alkali
Water
Energy in chemical reactions
Centre Assessed Unit (CAU):
This unit replaces the old GCSE coursework and is worth 25%. It involves students completing a specified experiment where they have to produce a full set of results and a graph of these results. They then take an Investigative Skills Assignment (ISA) that asks questions based on the experiment they completed, the results, graph and How Science Works. There will also be some marks for Practical Skills Assessment (PSA) based on the student’s ability to safely and independently carry out experimental work.
 
A-LEVEL
AS LEVEL:
From September 2008 AS students will be studying the new AQA AS/A2 level Chemistry Course, code 2420. For more details see www.aqa.org.uk.
There are three modules covered at this level:
Module 1 – Foundation Chemistry (worth 33.5% of AS)
Module 2 – Chemistry in Action (worth 46.66% of AS)
Module 3 – Investigation and practical skills (worth 20% of AS)
There are 2 modular papers. The Modular paper in unit 1 is 1 hour 15 minutes in length. The Module paper in Unit 2 is 1 hour 45 minutes.  Module 3 is structured in a similar way to AQA GCSE in that it assesses investigative and practical skills. Here students are assessed on their practical skills all through their course and are assessed on their investigative skills in an ISA Examination paper. Module 1 will be examined in January of Year 13, to be repeated in June if necessary. Modules 2 and 3 will be examined in the Summer of Year 13 and can be repeated in year 14 if necessary.

A2 CHEMISTRY
There are three modules covered at this level. The AS modules will account for 50% of the marks awarded for the full A-level Chemistry course.
Module 4 – Kinetics Equilibrium AND Organic Chemistry
Module 5 – Energetics, Redox and Inorganic Chemistry
Module 6 – Investigative and Practical skills

Again there are 2 modular papers. Modular papers are 1 hour 45 minutes in length. Module 6 is assessed in a similar way to module 3. Module 4 will be examined in January of Year 14, to be repeated in June if necessary. Modules 5 and 6 will be examined in the Summer of Year 14.
Careers
The employment prospects for those with qualifications in Chemistry are generally good. Chemistry provides a route into many careers, and opportunities exist both in Britain and throughout Europe, and North America. These prospects are not confined to research, they extent into a wide range of industries, IT, medicine, high finance, marketing, business and management. The general skills of analysis and problem-solving that a Chemistry degree fosters, help Chemistry graduates to contribute effectively to most areas of an organisation’s activities.
A wide range of careers is open to the Chemistry graduate. Chemists and Chemical Engineers are involved in all aspects of the manufacturing industries, hence career opportunities are diverse and widespread. Possibilities include the Pharmaceutical industry, textiles, polymers, dyestuffs, cosmetics and all aspects of foodstuff production, forensic science, atomic energy, petrochemicals and gas, medicine and agriculture, process design and feasibility studies. Many graduates go to work in prestigious companies at home and abroad.
An important point to be made is that the study of Chemistry is compulsory in order to follow some of the most prestigious vocational degrees for example Medicine and Dentistry. For further details consult www.ucas.co.uk.