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Chemistry
A-Level (Modular) |
CHEMISTRY
A-LEVEL (MODULAR)
Why
choose Chemistry?
Everything in the Universe, let alone
today’s society is affected by chemistry. The clothes we wear the food we eat,
from stars to steel: photographs to fireworks – they all rely upon and can be
explained using chemistry.
So
Why Have Two Courses?
Because people
learn in different ways. Salter’s Chemistry starts with the big
ideas, Life the Universe and Everything and works its way back to the chemistry
that lies behind them. The Modular Chemistry course builds to the big idea by
developing your understanding of the principles that govern our knowledge of
Chemistry.
Entry Requirements – Minimum grade CC
in double science, although it is desirable to have A’s or B’s especially for
Salter’s. Appropriate Single Science candidates will be considered.
What
does the course involve?
Year 12 content comprises three
modules. Foundation Chemistry which provides a structured introduction to the
course and a link between AS Level and GCSE, Chains and Rings studies the
chemical ideas that underpin organic chemistry, it looks at how we use fuels
and why they burn so well. How Far How Fast is a short
module that looks at energy changes in chemical reactions and rates of
reaction.
In Year 13 students study three further
modules. Chains Rings and Spectroscopy extends their knowledge of organic
chemistry. Trends and Patterns explains why chemists
get so excited about the periodic table. This is another short module, which
leaves space for the study of one of the following options: Biochemistry,
Environmental Chemistry, Methods of Analysis and Detection, Gases Liquids and
Solids or Transition Elements. The final module Unifying Concepts puts
everything they have learned together to form a bigger picture of chemistry.
How
is the course assessed?
Practical Skills are assessed through
five short
practical exercises so that students get at least
two chances to meet each of the course criteria.
This course provides a structured route
to A2 Chemistry, as students build their understanding of the subject through a
series of logical steps.
Assessment:
Advanced Advanced
AS Chemistry Subsidiary
GCE
Foundation Chemistry Written Exam 30% 15%
Chains and Rings Written Exam 30% 15%
How Far How Fast Written
Exam 20% 10%
Practical Skills Investigations 20% 10%
Advanced
Chemistry A2 GCE
Chains Rings
Spectroscopy Written
Exam 15%
Trends and Patterns Written
Exam 7.5%
Option Unit Written
Exam 7.5%
Unifying Concepts Written Exam 10%
Practical Skills Investigations 10%
Practical skills are again examined
through a series of short Practical Investigations.
Why
is it valuable?
By the end of two years the vast majority of
students are self reliant, autonomous learners with the knowledge, skills and
understanding they need to move on to higher education or into the world of
work.