Subjects & Courses

Chemistry

TOPICS IN YEAR 1

Physical Chemistry

Including atomic structure, amount of substance, bonding, energetics, kinetics, chemical equilibria and Le Chatelier’s principle.

Inorganic Chemistry

Including periodicity, group 2: the alkaline earth metals and group 7 (17): the halogens.

Organic Chemistry

Including introduction to organic chemistry, alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alkenes, alcohols and organic analysis.

TOPICS IN YEAR 2

Physical Chemistry

Including thermodynamics, rate equations, the equilibrium constant Kp, electrode potentials and electrochemical cells.

Inorganic Chemistry

Including properties of Period 3 elements and their oxides, transition metals and reactions of ions in aqueous solution.

Organic Chemistry

Including optical isomerism, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, aromatic chemistry, amines, polymers, amino acids, proteins and DNA, organic synthesis, NMR spectroscopy and chromatography.

Practical content

Throughout the course, there will be a number of practical activities, some of which are required for examination. These include measuring energy changes in chemical reactions, tests for identifying different types of compound, different methods for measuring rates of reaction, studying electrochemical cells, and preparation of organic solids and liquids, plus advanced forms of chromatography for more accurate results.

Assessment

There is no coursework on this course, but your performance during practicals will be assessed. There are three exams at the end of year two, all of which are two hours long.

At least 15% of the marks for A-level Chemistry are based on what you learned in your practical classes.

Undergraduate Degree options

Chemistry, Biology, Pre-clinical Medicine, Mathematics, Pharmacology.

Possible Career Options

Analytical chemist.

Chemical engineer

Clinical biochemist

Pharmacologist

Doctor

Research scientist (physical sciences)

Toxicologist

Chartered certified accountant

Environmental consultant

Higher education lecturer

Science writer

Entry requirements

To secure your place at Aston Manor Sixth Form, you must achieve five GCSEs at grades 4-9 (including English and maths at grade 4).

Certain courses have additional specific requirements, as shown below.

A-LEVEL ENTRY
REQUIREMENTS

Sociology
GCSE grade 5 English

Psychology
GCSE grade 5 English and maths

Biology
GCSE grade 6 science and maths

Chemistry
GCSE grade 6 science and maths

Maths
GCSE grade 6 maths

English Literature
GCSE grade 6 English

French
GCSE grade 6 French
and English grade 5

Religious Education
GCSE grade 6 RE

VOCATIONAL COURSE
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

IT
OCR Digital Media

Law
GCSE grade 4 English

Health and Social Care
GCSE grade 4 maths

Business Studies
GCSE grade 4 English and maths

Financial Studies
GCSE grade 4 maths

Sport
Merit at KS4 and GCSE grade 4 English

Applied Science

GCSE grade 4 English, maths
and science

How to Apply

External Applicants only

Please complete the application form and return to the sixth form office. You can find the application form here or, alternatively, request an application form from the main office.

Already a student at Aston Manor Academy?

Sixth form staff will arrange a presentation for all Year 11 Aston Manor Academy students to tell them more about progressing to sixth form and how to apply.