A Level Chemistry is a challenging and rewarding course that helps students understand the substances that make up the world around us and how they interact. You will study the composition, structure, properties and reactions of elements and compounds, while developing both theoretical knowledge and practical laboratory skills.
This is a two-year A Level course, usually studied alongside two other A Levels or equivalent qualifications. The OCR Chemistry A course is content-led and develops both practical and theoretical understanding across physical, inorganic and organic chemistry.
Students study six modules:
● 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
In Foundations in chemistry, students develop essential knowledge of atomic structure, formulae, equations, amount of substance, bonding, acids, redox and related core concepts.
In Periodic table and energy, students build understanding of inorganic and physical chemistry, including trends in the periodic table, enthalpy, rates of reaction and equilibrium.
In Core organic chemistry and Organic chemistry and analysis, students study hydrocarbons, haloalkanes, alcohols and a wider range of organic functional groups, as well as organic synthesis and analytical techniques such as mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy and NMR.
In Physical chemistry and transition elements, students extend their understanding of energy, rates, equilibria and periodicity, including the chemistry of transition metals.
Practical work is an important part of the course. Students develop laboratory, observational and analytical skills throughout the programme and complete practical activities that contribute to the Practical Endorsement. OCR states that practical skills are also assessed indirectly in the written examinations.