A Level Chemistry

Chemistry

European Centre of Learning Futures and Innovation
Flagship department in South East England
Centre of excellence in student-centred learning

Advanced Subsidiary GCE OCR H034
Advanced GCE OCR H434

For a selection of shots from the recent visit to the CERN research labs please click here.

For a report on the visit please click here.

Why choose A-level chemistry?
It is an interesting subject requiring and developing a variety of skills. Your chosen career needs a qualification in chemistry. A qualification in chemistry is highly valued and leads to a wide variety of careers. If you are undecided, more options are kept open by studying chemistry.

The specification is divided into chemical topics, each containing different key concepts of chemistry. Once the key features of a chemical topic have been developed, applications are considered. For assessment purposes, knowledge and understanding of key concepts are treated separately at AS; important links between different areas of chemistry are largely assessed synoptically at A2. While the teaching of practical skills may be integrated with the theoretical topics, they are assessed separately. This allows skills to be developed in a way suited to each individual centre. This specification incorporates the QCA Subject Criteria for Chemistry.

Summary of Content

Unit Assessment	Method and Weighting
AS Units
Unit F321: Atoms, Bonds and Groups • Atoms and reactions • Electrons, bonding and structure • The Periodic Table	1 hour exam, AS - 30%, A Level - 15%
Unit F322: Chains, Energy and Resources. • Basic concepts and hydrocarbons • Alcohols, halogenoalkanes and analysis • Energy • Resources	1 hour 45 min written exam, AS - 50%, A Level - 25%
Unit F323: Practical Skills in Chemistry 1 • This AS (practical skills) unit is teacher assessed and externally moderated by OCR. • Candidates are assessed on one task form each of the following categories: qualitative, quantitative and evaluative tasks.	AS - 20%, A Level - 10%
A2 Units
Unit F324: Rings, Polymers and Analysis • Rings, acids and amines • Polymers and synthesis • Analysis	1 hour written exam, A Level - 15%
Unit F325: Equilibria, Energetics and Elements • Rates, equilibrium and pH • Energy • Transition elements	1 hour 45 min written exam, A Level - 25%
Unit F326: Practical Skills in Chemistry 2 • This A2 (practical skills) unit is teacher assessed and externally moderated by OCR. • Candidates are assessed on one task from each of the following categories: qualitative, quantitative and evaluative tasks.	A Level - 10