Subject:     CHEMISTRY

Teaching Staff:

Mr R.Z. Fernandez (Head of Department)

Mr Brian Doyle ( Assistant HOD )

Mr Harold Isaac

Miss Ivy Chew Kim Kee

Miss Tan Bon Eng

Mr Steve Watson

Miss Tan Ai Ling

Dy Hadizah bte Hj Rajab ( Chemistry Lab. Technician )

A brief outline of the syllabus: 

Physical:  1)  atoms and molecules and stoichiometry   2)  atomic structure  3)  chemical bonding 

4)  states of matter  5)   chemical energetics  6)  electrochemistry  7)  equilibria  8)  reaction kinetics

Inorganic:  1)  the periodic table:  chemical periodicity  2)  Group II  3)  Group IV 

Organic:  1)  introductory topics  2)  hydrocarbons  3)  halogen derivatives  4)  hydroxy compounds  5)  carbonyl compounds  6)  carboxylic acids and derivatives  7)  nitrogen compounds  8)  polymerisation 

Option topics:  two from Biochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Food Chemistry and Chemical Thermodynamics.

Practical chemistry:  three questions including testing of design skills. 

The syllabus has been constructed on a core plus option basis in which the core ( sections 1-10 ) represents 80% of the whole course. Candidates will be expected to study two options, each representing 10%.

The particular qualities which are needed for this subject:

Students have to be prepared to alter their existing study methods in order to cope with the demands of an A level course.  The degree of difficulty necessitates self- motivation, taking responsibility for their own learning and the ability to work in a sustained manner over an eighteen month period.

Examination:

Paper 1                                    Free Response Questions                                 2 hours                    

Paper 2                                    Structured Questions                                        1 hour 15 minutes

Paper 3                                    Multiple Choice                                               1 hour

Paper 4                                    Option Topics                                                  1 hour 15 minutes

Paper 5 or 6                             Practical Assessment                                       2 hours 30 minutes

Candidates are required to enter for Papers 1,2,3,4 and 5 or 6 in June or November.

Suggested prior grades which A level teachers feel are necessary for success in this subject: 

(NB These may not be the minimum entry qualifications set by the Ministry)

O level Chemistry – Grade 4 or above

O level Mathematics – Grade 4 or above

O level English – Grade 6 or above

If a students wishes to take ‘A’level chemistry as a fourth ‘A’level subject, he / she must have a distinction ( grade 1 or 2 ) in ‘O’level Chemistry, plus a minimum credit grade 6 in ‘O’level English Language.

If a student offers combined Science ( Chem / Bio or Chem / Ph ) instead of ‘O’level chemistry, the grade requirement is a distinction grade 1 or 2.

Further education and career prospects for someone who studies this subject:

Entrance to science undergraduate courses, Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Speech Therapy, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Radiography, Nursing, Optometry, etc., Agriculture, Veterinary, Environmental sciences and various Engineering courses. ‘A’level Chemistry is a requirement for UK based medicine/dentistry degree courses.