The AS & A2 Level Chemistry courses follows the Cambridge International Examination boards (CIE) Chemistry 9701 Syllabus

CIE Chemistry 9713 Course
A and AS Level Chemistry builds on the skills acquired at IGCSE (or equivalent) level.  The syllabus includes the main theoretical concepts which are fundamental to the subject, a section on some current applications of chemistry, and a strong emphasis on advanced practical skills.  Practical skills are assessed in a timetabled practical examination.  The emphasis throughout is on the understanding of concepts and the application of chemistry ideas in novel contexts as well as on the acquisition of knowledge.  The course will foster creative thinking and problem-solving skills which are transferable to any future career path, and A and AS Level Chemistry is ideal for students who want to study chemistry or a wide variety of related subjects at university or to follow a career in science.

The course outline is as follows :

• Foundational facts, concepts models and explanations
• The Chemicals themselves and their organization
  Periodic Table groups 2, 4, 7; transition elements; organic chemicals; hydrocarbons, halogen-organics, alcohols, acids and esters, amines and amino acids, aromatics
• Chemical “make-up” and “probing inside matter”
  Atomic structure and spectroscopy; bonding in solids – chemical glue; architecture; nature of gases and the “Scientific Method”; solutions and ions
• Types of chemical reactions and characteristics
  Acid-base, redox, complexing organic reactions; energy changes in cells; equilibrium (how far?); kinetics (how fast?)
• Putting chemicals to use
  The chemical industry; the world food problem; the environment and counteracting pollution; provision of metals, alloys, plastics, ceramics, perfumes

Assessment
31% - Paper 1 Multiple Choice – 1 hour examination
46% - Paper 2 AS Structured Questions – 1¼ hours examination
23% - Paper 31/32 Advanced Practical Skills – 2 hours examination

• Builds on the AS level Chemistry with additional, more complex content and more sophisticated modes and explanations
• Applications of chemistry
  Chemistry of Life — proteins and genetic information
  Application of analytical Chemistry eg. Genetic finger printing
  Materials and design — medicine and polymers

Assessment
50% - of obtained AS mark
38% - Paper 4 A2 Structured Questions – 2 hours examination
12% - Paper 5 Planning, Analysis and Evaluation – 1¼ hours examination