My name is Steven, and I am currently pursuing a degree in Chemistry with Medicinal Chemistry (MChem) at the University of Manchester.
The transition from GCSE to A-level Chemistry can be daunting due to the substantial increase in workload and the significant gap in content depth. At the A-level stage, students often encounter crucial topics that require deep understanding, yet the pace of learning can be overwhelming, with limited time for revisiting concepts.
To address this challenge, I propose a special summer Bridging course facilitating a smoother transition from GCSE to A-level Chemistry. This course aims to provide students with a gradual and stress-free introduction to key A-level topics, equipping them with the foundational knowledge and skills necessary for success in their A-level studies.
The proposed course will span 8 weeks (1-hour lesson per week), each week dedicated to exploring fundamental A-level Chemistry topics. Here is a brief overview of the topics covered:
Weeks 1-2: Atomic Structure and Isotopes In this topic, I will teach you the more advanced A-level model of the atom the different orbitals and how they interact as well as isotopes and mass spectrometer data analysis.
Weeks 3-4: Bonding From this topic, you will learn all the different types of bonding, how they actually work as well as all the different types of intermolecular forces and how they affect the boiling and melting points of different substances.
Weeks 5-6: Amount of Substance This topic is all about more complex calculations that take GCSE titration calculations to the next level. We will learn how to calculate moles, concentrations and mass of substances.
Weeks 7-8: Ideal Gases This is a topic that is perhaps studied a bit further on in the first year of A level, however, it will give a nice insight into what skills A-level chemistry will require you to develop. The bonus is that it is also studied at Physics A-level. This topic will teach you how to manipulate and rearrange long equations as well as converting units.