Chemistry

Course summary

The study of Chemistry requires imagination, innovation and speculation in the design of new materials stemming from the captivating and varied world of the elements. Chemistry occupies a central position amongst the sciences due to the skills it requires such as problem solving, high level mathematics and of course practical skills. This course provides excellent coverage of the main branches of Chemistry not only as a body of knowledge but also as a field of enquiry. Lessons will include a wide range of activities including theoretical understanding to opportunities to demonstrate your experimental dexterity and data analysis skills. Observing chemistry in action is also an important part of the course which will include visits to visits to universities such as University College London as well as attending relevant chemistry conferences. The course covers the three important areas of chemistry: Physical Chemistry, Inorganic chemistry and Organic chemistry. In Physical chemistry students will build on their GCSE knowledge of atomic structure electron configuration and the various types of bonding as well as discovering the mole, Avogadro’s constant and thermodynamics to name but a few areas of study. Inorganic chemistry will include exploring the transition metals and their properties, substitution reactions and periodicity. Organic chemistry involves the study of the millions of covalent compounds of the element carbon from reaction mechanisms to aromatic chemistry. It also examines the variety of techniques used to deduce the structures of compounds such as nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), mass spectrometry and infrared spectroscopy.