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KS5 CHEMISTRY

Chemistry is a content-led approach. Teaching of practical skills is integrated with the theoretical topics and they’re assessed both through written papers and, for A Level only, a teacher-assessed Practical Endorsement. The course provides:  

  • Essential knowledge and understanding of different areas of the subject and how they relate to each other  
  • A deep appreciation of the skills, knowledge and understanding of scientific methods  
  • Competence and confidence in a variety of practical, mathematical and problem solving skills  

      The specification is divided into topics, each covering different key concepts of chemistry:  

      • Module 1 – Development of practical skills in chemistry  
      • Module 2 – Foundations in chemistry  
      • Module 3 – Periodic table and energy  
      • Module 4 – Core organic chemistry  
      • Module 5 – Physical chemistry and transition elements  
      • Module 6 – Organic chemistry and analysis

      Chemistry is essential for many higher education courses, for example, chemical engineering, chemistry, medicine, dentistry, food science, materials science, pharmacology, veterinary science and teaching. If you choose to study for a degree in chemistry, you will learn a number of transferable skills that are desirable in many industries, not just science. You can go on to be in business, banking or journalism – just to name a few. The options are endless with a chemistry degree. 

      KS5 topics by year

      Exam Board: OCR (Chemistry A)

      Year 12

      • Atomic structure
      • Electron structure
      • Formulae and equations
      • Bonding and structure
      • Amount of substance
      • Shapes of molecules
      • Acids

                      •  Redox reactions
                      • Periodicity
                      • Basic concepts of organic chemistry
                      • Reactivity trends

                                  • Alkanes
                                  • Alkenes
                                  • Enthalpy changes

                                          • Alcohols
                                          • Rates of reaction

                                              • Haloalkanes
                                              • Organic synthesis
                                              • Rates of reactio

                                                      • Infrared spectroscopy
                                                      • Mass spectrometry

                                                            Year 13

                                                            • Aromatic chemistry
                                                            • Equilibrium
                                                            • Carbonyls and carboxylic acids
                                                            • Acids, bases and pH
                                                            • Amines

                                                                        • Amino acids, amides and chirality
                                                                        • Buffers and neutralisation
                                                                        • Polyesters and polyamides
                                                                        • Organic synthesis
                                                                        • Enthalpy and entropy

                                                                                    • Redox and electrode potentials
                                                                                    • Thin-layer chromatography
                                                                                    • Gas chromatography

                                                                                            • Nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy
                                                                                            • Transition elements and qualitative analysis

                                                                                              • Revision & exams

                                                                                              • A Level exams

                                                                                                Key Contact

                                                                                                If you would like any more information about this subject, please contact Samantha Drewett at Samantha.Drewett@thebicesterschool.org.uk