Course at a glance
Introduction
This level 3 Diploma in Chemistry is of a similar academic standard and content to an A level in the subject. The course will be of interest to anyone who already has a basic knowledge and understanding of chemistry commensurate with GCSE level and wishes to develop their subject knowledge. It may also be of interest to students who wish to refresh their knowledge and understanding of chemistry as part of continuing professional development or as part of on going higher level planned study.
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Entry Requirement
Entry to this Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma requires that potential students have gained GCSE/IGCSE or equivalent qualifications and have, good English oral, reading and writing skills.
Advice on enrolment and guidance of prior learning (APL) can be obtained through out contact centre. The course is a rolling programme and can be started at any point in the year. Successful students can go on to Higher Education, including remaining as students at OLC to complete courses in our portfolio of higher awards.
All students must be aged 16 or over.
Assesment
The coursework is assessed through continuous assessment with no formal exit examinations.
Study Hours
Approximately: 200 hours of personal study time for the entire course is recommended. All of which is supported by the OLC Course Tutor, who we greatly encourage students to access support from throughout their course.
Quality Assurance
This course has been developed by the College’s professional team of tutors to meet the needs of sector based employers and employees. It is also part of the College’s validated level three Diplomas’, recognised internationally, as verified and moderated Centre for Interactive Education (CIE Global). Further details of our accreditations are provided on our website.
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Course Length
1 Year.
Awarding Body
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Course content
During your study you will be provided with an opportunity to explore the basic principles of chemistry which includes atomic structure, modes of chemical bonding and the concept of periodicity. You will also have an opportunity to study the basic principles and concepts of organic chemistry and associated reaction mechanisms.
In addition to these topics you will have an opportunity to explore aromatic chemistry and relate associated concepts to everyday life and contexts.
The overarching aim of the course is to provide you with an opportunity to study the basic chemistry concepts in a real-world context and therefore be able to understand their relevance and application in the modern world.
The course is divided into 10 units and the main associated content of each unit is outlined below:
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Unit 1: Foundation Principles in Chemistry Part 1
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Historical overview and perspectives
- Protons, neutrons and electrons
- Mass, numbers and isotopes
- Electron arrangement
- Periodicity
- Bonding and associated structure
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Unit 2: Foundation Principles in Chemistry Part 2
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Forces acting between molecules
- Trends and properties
- Intermolecular forces and physical properties
- Choosing solvents
- States of matter
- Shapes of simple molecules and ions
- Predicting physical properties
- Oxidation and reduction
- Oxidation status and redox equations
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Unit 3: Foundation Principles in Chemistry Part 3
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Electrode potentials
- Electrochemical series
- Electrochemical cells
- Redox titrations
- Trends in physical properties
- Flame tests: practical procedures
- Use of chlorine and chlorate
- Testing for ions
- The mole and Avogadro’s constant
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Unit 4: Foundation Principles in Chemistry Part 4
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Empirical and molecular formulae
- Balanced equations and associated calculations
- Atom economy
- Uncertainties and measurement errors
- Displacement reactions
- Reactions of acids
- Precipitation reactions
- Mass spectrometry
- Infrared spectroscopy
- Catalysis
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Unit 5: Energetics
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Enthalpy
- Combustion
- Calorimetry
- Hess’s Law
- Bond dissociation
- Lattice energy
- Free-energy and entropy change
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Unit 6: Kinetics Part 1
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Collisions
- Activation energy
- Catalysts
- Simple rate equations
- The dynamic nature of equilibria
- Acids and bases
- Definition and determination of pH
- Ionic production of water
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Unit 7: Kinetics Part 2
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Weak acids and bases
- pH curves, titration and indicators
- Buffer solutions
- Enthralpy changes and neutralisation
- Reaction rates
- Arrherius equation and activation energies
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Unit 8: Organic Chemistry
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Historical perspectives
- Nomeclature
- Isomerism and optimal isomerism
- Alternative fuels
- Practical techniques in organic chemistry
- Additions-eliminations reaction
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Unit 9: Aromatic Chemistry
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Bonding
- Aromatic stability
- Amino acids and protein
- Polypeptide chains and hydrogen bonds
- Polymers
- Organic synthesis and analysis
Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma Unit 10: Modern Analytical Techniques
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Mass spectrometry, radical cation and fragmentation
- Carbocations
- Nuclear magnetic resonance
- Chemical shift
- Chromatography
Progression
This Accredited Level 3 Chemistry Diploma can be used to gain entry to a Level 4 Diploma or higher.
