CHEMISTRY

A LEVEL

Study Chemistry at Xaverian. You’ll be in your element.

What is pollination? How do we hear, taste, or feel touch? What’s lighter, a kilogram of stones or a kilogram of feathers?

Everything we do is a chemical reaction. A transformation, of matter – anything that takes up space and has mass.

Chemists need to know what makes up matter and why and how it is transformed.

Chemistry helps us understand, and make predictions about, our reality.

Anyone curious about the world around us and how it works will be in their element on this Chemistry course.

LESSON TIME!

How does temperature affect the rate of reaction?

We’re going to react sodium sulphate with methanal at different temperatures and you’ll be amazed at what happens when we lower and raise the mercury.

This experiment clearly demonstrates how the state of matter can be transformed through changing environmental conditions – a cornerstone of Chemistry.

Fascinating facts:

One million carbon atoms strung together comprise the width of a human hair.
Chalk is made of trillions of microscopic skeleton fossils of plankton.
Lemons have more sugar than strawberries.
An ice cube takes up almost 9% more volume than the water used to make it.

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What’s next?

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CAREERS

Careers for the scientifically minded span the range of industries and job types.

You could find yourself in a chemistry-related role:

Analytical chemist
Chemical engineer
Chemistry teacher
Development chemist
Laboratory technician
Research analyst
Toxicologist

Or you could decide that your experience lends itself to work in an associated field:

Forensic examiner or researcher
Police officer
Project engineer
Technical associate
Accountant

COURSES

Applied chemistry
Biochemistry
Pharmacology
Environmental science
Forensic science.

INTERESTED IN APPLYING?

Physical Chemistry:

Atomic Structure, Amount of Substance, Bonding, Energetics, Equilibria, Thermodynamics, Kinetics, Electrode Potentials, Electrochemical Cells and Acids and Bases

Inorganic Chemistry:

Periodicity, Group 2, Group 7, Period 3, Transition Metals, Ions in Aqueous Solution

Organic Chemistry:

Nomenclature, Reaction Mechanisms, Isomerism, Alkanes, Halogenoalkanes, Alkenes, Alcohols, Aldehydes & Ketones, Carboxylic Acids, Aromatic Chemistry, Amines, Polymers, Amino Acids, Proteins, DNA, Synthesis, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and Chromatography

Experiments are used through this course to support the learning and to help students enhance their experience with laboratory equipment.

Entry requirements:

Six good passes at GCSE including two at grade 6 or above

Course specific entry requirements:

Grade 6, 6, 6, from 2 Sciences and Maths

If you wish to take two Science A-levels, you need Grade 7,6,6 from two Sciences and Maths

Course duration:

2 years

Assessment methods:

3 final exams

Course type:

Linear A-level

Exam board:

AQA

All the Chemistry teachers are experienced and enthusiastic, and use a range of teaching methods to ensure that each individual student has the very best chance of achieving their potential.

came to one of the Open Days and I thought the College looked good and I liked the courses. I particularly enjoyed Chemistry as the lessons were interesting and I enjoyed doing the practical experiments. I also represent the College at local climbing competitions and this has helped me become more confident and independent.

Rhiannon Sellers, Chemistry

North West Science Network

Fancy the chance to experience life at the University of Oxford?

Xaverian College offers Year 12 science students the chance to take part in a week-long Corpus Christi summer school, a highlight of the North West Science Network’s packed calendar of events.

We’re the Greater Manchester hub for the NWSN, which also features lectures by celebrated scientists, regional laboratory visits, and a Maths Study Day – featuring lectures and interactive workshops exploring diverse topics from cancer research to jet engine propulsion.

RELATED COURSES

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COMPLEMENTARY COURSES

Did you know that you don’t have to study all three sciences to get into Medicine at university? Your final A level can be in any subject that you enjoy, as long as you achieve the grade your chosen university requires. Why not consider one of the following: