CHEMISTRY (OCR)
AS Course Outline
What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the study of the composition and reactions of all substances. Chemists explain their observations of the nature and behaviour of substances in terms of the structure and arrangement of their particles: atoms, molecules or ions.
Traditional uses of chemistry include the extraction of metals from ores, the firing of clay and sand to make ceramics and glass, and the extraction of chemicals from plants for use as medicines, dyes, make-up and perfumes.
Such uses remain important but the development of knowledge and understanding has added many more to the list. Chemists are now much in demand in various industries including agriculture (fertilisers, pesticides), oil refining (fuels, polymers, detergents), pharmaceuticals, food, materials and computing.
New A-level syllabuses, which were introduced for the first time in 2008, include material intended to enhance the understanding of contemporary issues which are frequently in the media. This includes 'green' chemistry, fuel cells for powering electric vehicles, and chemotherapy treatments and other pharmaceuticals.
What will Chemistry enable me to do at University?
- Chemistry is essential for Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Pharmacy, Forensic Science, Biomedical Sciences and Chemistry degrees. Chemistry provides a means for students to develop intellectual skills alongside manipulative, observational, evaluative and general problem-solving skills.
- It is a preferred qualification for many courses and is even advantageous for such applications as Law, Economics and Accounting.
What do I need to get before I start the course?
- A grade C in GCSE Chemistry or CC in Double or Dual Award Science is essential, higher grades would be preferable, in addition to a reasonable level of mathematical ability.
| Chemistry (OCR) AS Specification | ||
F321 |
Atoms, Bonds and Groups |
Atomic structure, relative masses, the mole, reacting masses and equations, acids, bases and salts, oxidation number and redox reactions |
F322 |
Chains, Energy and Resources |
Basic concepts in organic chemistry, alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, halogenoalkanes, analytical techniques, enthalpy changes, rates and equilibrium, chemistry of the air and green chemistry |
F323 |
Practical Skills in Chemistry 1 |
Candidates carry out three assessed practical tasks, one qualitative, one quantitative and one evaluative. |
Structure of the Course
The course will be taught for 6 lessons per week in three blocks of 1.5 hours.
1.5 hours every fortnight will be set aside for practical work, and practical skills will be developed and assessed in these lessons. Homework is set after each class and is an essential part of the course. Mock exams take place each month.
Recommended Texts
Dave Gent and Rob Richie OCR AS Chemistry Heinemann ISBN-978-0435691813
David Acaster, Lawrie Ryan Chemistry 1 for OCR Cambridge ISBN 978-0521724562
