Chemistry Department

Introduction

Science At The Downs

The Science Department at The Downs School is the largest and one of the most successful departments in the school. It is housed in 7 purpose built laboratories, served by two main preparation areas.

All Science staff at The Downs School are committed to providing a balanced science education to students of all abilities, from age 11 years to age 18 years. Every student receives a thorough and rounded education in Science and is given encouragement to succeed to his or her potential. The department comprises 10 teaching staff and 4 technicians. The staff work as a team and carry out responsibilities across the department.

National Curriculum Science, based on the QCA Schemes of Work, is taught to all students at Key Stage 3. The highest achievers at Key Stage 3 are offered the opportunity to study the separate sciences, Biology, Chemistry and Physics, at GCSE.

Chemistry Key Stage 3 and 4

Chemistry topics are covered throughout the school as part of Key Stage 3 Science and Key Stage 4 Science.

From September 2006, the Science Department has adopted a new and exciting course for study at GCSE. This is based on the OCR 21st Century Science suite of syllabuses and is being studied by the current Year 10 and 11 students.

Assessment, in Year 10, is via three unit tests. One of these is taken in January and the other in June. The tests are based on objective style questions and each test cover aspects of Biology, Chemistry and Physics. Students will also take a test in May based on pre-released material. These four tests are equally weighted in their contributions towards the final assessment and are worth 66.6% in total. The remaining 33.3%, completed in Year 11, is awarded for coursework.

The coursework, in Year 10, is divided between a practical data analysis (worth 13.3%) and a case study of an important current scientific issue (worth 20%) completed in Year 10

This qualification will be obtained at the end of Year 11.

During Year 11, students will study for either of the following qualifications:

Additional Science which, together with the Science qualification for
Year 10, will result in two GCSE grades.

Or

Separate Science qualifications in Biology, Chemistry and Physics which together with the Science qualification from Year 10, will result in four GCSE grades.

Advanced Subsidiary/Advanced Level

Course Aims

Chemistry aims to provide a stimulating and worthwhile range of experiences which will engage the interest of students, motivate them to the study of chemistry and encourage them to:

• acquire knowledge and understanding of modern chemistry;
• develop intellectual and practical skills in the study of chemistry;
• develop the ability to study both independently and co-operatively;
• become aware of the nature of scientific and technological endeavour and of the various contexts in which the work of chemists is important to society.

Entry Requirements

It is expected that students applying for the course will have a BB grade in GCSE double award science or a grade B in chemistry as well as a minimum of grade C in GCSE mathematics.

Course Content

Students will follow the Oxford and Cambridge Chemistry ‘Salters’ syllabus. The first year leads to an ‘AS’ qualification and the second year completes the ‘A2’ level. Throughout the course the links between the study of chemistry and its relevance to everyday life are made. The two year course is composed of the following topics:

• The Elements of Life
• Developing Fuels
• From Minerals to Elements
• Elements for Life
• The Atmosphere
• The Polymer Revolution
• What’s in a Medicine
• Engineering Proteins
• The Steel Story
• Aspects of Agriculture
• Colour by Design
• The Oceans
• Medicines by Design
  

Assessment

Written examinations account for 70% of the final assessment. An individual investigation, skills assessment and an open book examination will account for the remaining 30%. At the end of the first year examinations will lead to an ‘AS’ qualification.

Career and Higher Education Opportunities

Chemistry is an important qualification required for studying dentistry, medicine, biochemistry, forensic sciences, oceanography, veterinary science, chemical engineering and many other areas of higher education. It can also be used for entry into non-science related courses such as management.