Chemistry

Aside from the fascinations of explosions, smells and colour, there are judicious and significant benefits to studying IB Chemistry. At Higher Level, chemistry prepares students for the rigour of studying sciences, science-related subjects, and indeed other subjects at university. The fact it sits between physics and biology means that you can take chemistry as your only science subject for the IB and still leave your options open for tertiary science study should you wish. If you plan to study the Arts then chemistry, often considered a challenging subject, demonstrates a breadth of aptitude as a selling point to universities.

It's not all white coats and test tubes; there are many thinking skills that chemistry can help develop which support other subjects. Chemistry presents problems with multiple inter-dependent variables requiring not only reasoning skills, but also the holistic skills associated with management and the modelling of complex mechanisms. As chemistry is unseen it requires a unique combination of imagination, spatial awareness and reasoning.

You will study a range of topics including periodicity, energetics, organic chemistry and equilibrium. This will involve practical and theoretical learning, giving you the chance to explore the constituents of the world around us. You will have the opportunity to devise and carry out your own experiments as part of the internal assessment process.

Both Standard and Higher Level programmes are assessed by three exams at the end of year 13. In addition, a formal investigation will be completed and contribute towards your final grade. End of topic tests using questions from past IB exam papers will gauge your progress throughout the course.

Chemistry at sixth form is one of the courses most desired by universities for any type of scientific course. It proves you are capable of collecting, analysing and interpreting data as well as showing your numerical handling ability, logical thinking and literacy skills.

Medicine: for most medicine courses, you will need HL in Chemistry with one or two others from HL Physics, HL Maths and HL Biology.

Entry Requirements

Standard Level - GCSE Chemistry at Grade 5 and above

Higher Level - GCSE Chemistry at Grade 7 and above, and GCSE Mathematics at Grade 6 and above

For further information

Please contact Gaby Tauscher: gaby.tauscher@parksidecc.org.uk 

"Studying Chemistry has given me the opportunity to further my knowledge about how our world works. I study it at standard level but the lessons are engaging and we do load of great practicals. I enjoy having and understanding of the science that as a languages student I otherwise wouldn’t have access to.”

Cara