The course is structured to unfold as a series of ‘chemical stories’. In total there are thirteen stories. These range from the looking at why all cars are not electric cars through to appreciating how chemistry can best be used in art restoration. At appropriate points in a story there are ‘excursions’ to consolidate the chemical concepts needed to understand the story. These excursions may direct to new chemical content or to activities and practical laboratory work. For details of the publications supporting this course. The course is assessed by OCR via a mix of written papers and practical assessment. Further details of the assessment.
As the course progresses new chemical concepts are met and familiar ones are revisited in a range of different contexts (stories). At each meeting revisited concepts are revised and/or built upon. This ‘drip feed’ approach means that chemical content is continually revised and broken up into manageable chunks.
AS Storyline |
Chemistry covered |
Assessment unit |
---|---|---|
The Elements of Life (EL) is a study of the elements in the human body, the solar system and the universe. |
|
F331 |
Developing Fuels (DF) is a study of fuels and the contribution that chemists make to the development of better fuels. |
|
F331 |
The Elements from the Sea (EL) is a study of the extraction and uses of chlorine and bromine. |
|
F332 |
The Atmosphere (A) is a study of two important chemical processes, the depletion of ozone in the upper atmosphere and the greenhouse effect in the lower atmosphere. |
|
F332 |
The Polymer Revolution (PR) tells the story of the development of addition polymers, many of which were the result of 'accidental' discoveries. |
|
F332 |
A2 Storyline |
Chemistry covered |
Assessment unit |
---|---|---|
What's in a Medicine? (WM) is the story of aspirin and illustrates some of the features of the pharmaceutical industry. |
|
F334 |
The Materials Revolution (MR) continues the story of polymers with a study of condensation polymers such as nylons and Kevlar, designed to have particular properties. |
|
F334 |
The Thread of Life (TL) is a study of proteins, the role of DNA in protein synthesis, and the use of chemistry to develop proteins with particular properties |
|
F334 |
The Steel Story (SS) focuses on steel as a material, the processes used to make it, and the prevention of its corrosion. |
|
F334 |
Agriculture and Industry (AI) is a study of the contribution that chemistry makes to ensure a safe and sufficient food supply. |
|
F335 |
Colour by Design (CD) explains why some colours are coloured and describes the use of chemistry to provide colours to offer. |
|
F335 |
The Oceans (O) describes the role of the oceans in regulating the climate, in forming rocks and in supporting life. |
|
F335 |
Medicines by Design (MD) concerns the effects of chemicals on the body and the design of new pharmaceuticals. |
|
F335 |