Chemistry

Course summary

Chemistry is split up into 6 sections and all of these topics build on concepts covered over the chemistry GCSE syllabuses. Chemistry studies the material world, and through chemistry we can describe and explain questions such as: "what happens when sugar dissolves in tea?"; "why is mercury a liquid at room temperature?"; "how do we make plastics?"; "what can we do about global warming?"; "how and why will I be affected if oil runs out?". Chemistry courses cover a wide variety of basic concepts such as the structure of the atom; the interaction of matter and energy; how to control reactions; patterns in the Periodic Table; understanding carbon-based molecules. In all these topics, you will need to learn facts and build a body of knowledge but also to understand and apply the ideas. Many topics include calculations and so you should feel comfortable rearranging equations and using numbers. Importantly, chemistry is a hands-on science, and you will carry out experiments on a regular basis. This is to consolidate your theory work, but also provide you with the opportunity to use new apparatus and build your skills and confidence to complete safe and accurate practical work. 1. Module 1 – Development of practical skills in chemistry 2. Module 2 – Foundations in chemistry 3. Module 3 – Periodic table and energy 4. Module 4 – Core organic chemistry 5. Module 5 – Physical chemistry and transition elements 6. Module 6 – Organic chemistry and analysis