GCSE Chemistry Level 2 Certificate

Level 2
Further Education
Portadown Campus
CCEA

Overview

This GCSE develops students’ knowledge and understanding of the material world and the effects of chemistry on society.

Students will learn about organic chemistry, quantitative chemistry and electrochemistry. They will apply their understanding of the scientific process in the laboratory and develop their observational and problem-solving skills.

Practical science is a key part of this programme, with students carrying out nine prescribed practical's during the course.

This GCSE in Chemistry aims to encourage students to:

develop their knowledge and understanding of the material world.
develop their understanding of the effects of chemistry on society.
develop their understanding of the importance of scale in chemistry.
develop and apply their knowledge and understanding of the nature of science and of the scientific process.
develop their understanding of the relationships between hypotheses, evidence, theories and explanations.
develop their awareness of risk and the ability to assess potential risk and potential benefits.
develop and apply their observational, practical, modelling, enquiry and problem-solving skills and understanding in laboratory, field and other learning environments.
develop their ability to evaluate claims based on chemistry through critical analysis of the methodology, evidence and conclusions both qualitatively and quantitatively.
develop their skills in communication, mathematics and the use of technology in scientific contexts.

Applicants should have a good level of fluency in the English language. They are also expected to have a reasonable level of adequacy in computer skills and be familiar with the internet and email.

This GCSE in Chemistry covers three units:

Unit 1: Structures, Trends, Chemical Reactions, Quantitative Chemistry and Analysis
Unit 2: Further Chemical Reactions, Rates and Equilibrium, Calculations and Organic Chemistry
Unit 3: Practical Skills

The course comprises two theory units (Units 1 and 2) and a practical skills assessment unit (Unit 3), which is made up of Booklet A and Booklet B.

Students will carry out a variety of prescribed practical activities. Two of these are assessed in Unit 3: Practical Skills Booklet A, which students carry out in class towards the end of the course.

A timetabled examination, Booklet B, completes the practical skills assessment. This consists of a series of questions about the prescribed practical's and other practical activities throughout the specification.

All units are externally marked.