Chemistry IGCSE

Chemistry IGCSE

Course Length

One or two years.

The course

Chemistry supplies you with the knowledge and understanding so that you can engage with science-based issues in an informed way. By studying the course, students learn to explain the properties and interaction of materials common to the world around them, and gain greater scientific literacy by using contemporary and relevant contexts of interest such as environmental issues. You will study the patterns and properties of the elements and how these combine to produce useful materials. Throughout the course you will develop practical skills, powers of analysis and the ability to apply chemical concepts to an unfamiliar context. The IGCSE will provide you with an exceptional standard of education which is both modern and relevant. It will also prepare you properly for the study of Chemistry at an advanced level.

Pearson iGCSE Chemistry is divided into four sections. In Section 1 (Principles of chemistry), you will look at the physical states of matter, atomic structure, structure and bonding, chemical formulae and equations and how to calculate the masses of substances and volumes of gases.

In Section 2 (Inorganic Chemistry) you will study Group 1 and 7 chemistry, gases in the atmosphere, acids and alkalis, the reactivity series, making salts and electrolysis. In Section 3 (Physical Chemistry) you will study rates of reaction, chemical equilibria and energetics. Finally, in Section 4 (Organic Chemistry) you will study the chemistry of carbon. You will look at several different types of organic compounds (alkanes, alkenes, alcohols, carboxylic acids, esters and synthetic polymers).

What skills do I need?

A scientific background is useful but not essential. You should have inquisitive mind and desire to make discoveries through investigation. You should have the ability to follow a logical sequence of instructions and to be able to recall factual material.

How is the course assessed?

There are two written papers consisting of knowledge recall, application of knowledge and experimental analysis. Both papers contain short to medium length structured questions, graph plotting and calculations. Both papers cover all four sections, however Paper 1 only covers the non-bolded content of the specification. Paper 2 covers all the content of the specification, with a focus on the bolded part of the syllabus. Paper 1 lasts 2 hours and is worth 61.1% of the total marks. Paper 2 lasts 1 hour 15 minutes and is worth 38.9% of the total marks. There is no practical coursework.

Reading

Edexcel IGCSE Chemistry (Student Book)
By J. Clark
Published by Edexcel, ISBN 978-0435966898

Edexcel International GCSEs in Chemistry Students Book
By G. Hill, R.Wensley
Published by Hodder Education, ISBN 9781444179149

Exam Board and Specification Code

Pearson-Edexcel 4CH1

Stuart Humphreys
Head of Department