A level Course Guide

Chemistry OCR Salters

Classical Civilisation OCR

C H E M I S T R Y

C L A S S I C A L C I V I L I S AT I O N

If you are interested in the myths, literature, history and culture of the ancient world, then Classical Civilisation A Level is for you. No prior knowledge is required, although you will need a proven record in English or History. You will study Greek and Roman Civilisations using a range of primary sources, including literature, and visual and material culture. The course includes a variety of interesting and complementary topics, and is a highly considered A Level option, which enriches any combination of subjects, and helps build much valued critical and evaluative skills. The Department makes excellent use of resources to be found in the Ashmolean Museum, and invites internationally renowned experts to present at the twice-termly meetings of the Lyne Society. Higher Education Classical Civilisation is a popular degree in many universities, either standing alone or in combination with Archaeology and Anthropology. Oxford offers a fascinating course in Ancient and Modern History, as well as one in Classical Archaeology and Ancient History, for which the knowledge of a classical language is not necessary.

Chemistry is the study of the properties and reactions of substances and their applications in our lives. Chemistry is an essential subject for many scientific courses at university, such as Medicine, Materials Science and Biological Sciences, as well as Chemistry itself, due to its intellectual rigour and the fact it is the ‘central science’. Human existence is reliant upon, and is constantly being transformed by, chemistry: medicines, drugs, dyes, pigments, foods, flavours, vitamins, antioxidants, fireworks, explosives, fuels, fertilisers, plastics, diamonds, batteries… the scope of study is boundless. The OCR specification slots the “Chemical Ideas” of the course into “Chemical Storylines” – “Elements of Life”, “Developing Fuels”, “Elements from the Sea”, “The Ozone Story”, “What’s in a Medicine”, “The Chemical Industry”, “Polymers and Life”, “The Oceans”, “Developing Metals”, and “Colour by Design”. All the traditional concepts of chemistry are present in the course with OCR being well known for its rigour and being excellent at preparing pupils for chemistry-based courses at university. Practical skills are taught throughout the course, linked to the relevant concepts, leading to fulfilment of the requirements of the Practical Endorsement.

COMPONENT

ASSESSMENT

Fundamentals of Chemistry

110 marks 2¼ hr Multiple-choice, short answer and extended response questions. 100 marks 2¼ hr Short answer and extended response questions, including questions on a pre-release Advance Notice article.

Candidates take topics from a total of three different modules across the two years as follows:

Lower SixthYear 1. TheWorld of the Hero (Part 1) Pupils study either Homer’s Iliad or Odyssey in an English translation

Scientific Literacy in Chemistry

2. Culture and the Arts Pupils study one topic focussing on visual culture and literature from the classical world, chosen from:

Greek theatre Imperial image Invention of the barbarian Greek art

Practical Skills in Chemistry

60 marks 1½ hr written paper Short answer and extended response questions.

Upper SixthYear 1. TheWorld of the Hero (Part 2) Pupils study Virgil’s Aeneid in an English translation

Practical endorsement in Chemistry

Non exam assessment Performance in this component is reported separately to the performance in the A Level.

2. Beliefs and Ideas Pupils study one topic focussing on classical thought,

chosen from: Greek religion Love and relationships

Politics of the Late Republic Democracy and the Athenians

EXAMINATIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS: World of the Hero, Parts 1 and 2: 2 hour 20 minutes paper; 40% of total

Culture and the Arts: 1¾ paper; 30% of total Beliefs and Ideas 1¾ hr paper; 30% of total

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