CCEA
Level 3
QN: 601/8512/0
Curriculum Active
CCEA Level 3 Advanced GCE in Chemistry
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by CCEA. Classified as a GCE A Level.
Qualification Level
Level 3
Awarding Body
CCEA
Syllabus Units
6 Units
Guided Hours
Flexible
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Basic Concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Amount of Substance
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Calculate amounts of substances using the mole concept
- Determine empirical and molecular formulae
- Perform calculations involving concentrations and volumes of solutions
2
Basic Concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Atomic Structure
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the structure of the atom in terms of protons, neutrons and electrons
- Explain the concept of isotopes and calculate relative atomic mass
- Describe the arrangement of electrons in atoms using s, p and d orbitals
3
Basic Concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Bonding
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe ionic, covalent and metallic bonding
- Explain the shapes of simple molecules using VSEPR theory
- Describe intermolecular forces including hydrogen bonding
4
Basic Concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Equilibria
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Apply Le Chatelier's principle to predict equilibrium shifts
- Calculate equilibrium constants Kc and Kp
- Explain the effect of temperature on equilibrium constant
5
Basic Concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Kinetics
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain the effect of temperature, concentration, pressure, surface area, and catalysts on reaction rates using collision theory and the Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution.
- Interpret rate-concentration graphs to deduce the order of reaction with respect to a reactant.
- Apply the initial rates method to determine the rate equation from experimental concentration-time data.
- Calculate the rate constant and its units for reactions of various overall orders.
- Propose plausible reaction mechanisms consistent with an experimentally determined rate equation.
- Evaluate the reliability of experimental techniques used to monitor the progress of a chemical reaction.
6
Basic Concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Redox Chemistry
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Assign oxidation numbers
- Balance redox equations using half-equations
- Describe the electrochemical series
7
Basic Concepts in Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Thermochemistry
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Define enthalpy change and standard conditions
- Calculate enthalpy changes using Hess's law and bond enthalpies
- Construct and interpret enthalpy level diagrams
8
Further Organic Chemistry
Organic Mechanisms
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe and explain mechanisms including nucleophilic substitution, electrophilic addition and elimination
- Use curly arrows to represent electron movement
- Predict products of reactions based on mechanisms
9
Further Organic Chemistry
Organic Synthesis and Analysis
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Apply retrosynthetic principles to plan viable multi-step synthetic pathways to target molecules
- Select appropriate reagents, conditions, and protecting groups for each synthetic transformation
- Analyze mass spectra to deduce molecular mass, molecular formula, and key fragmentation ions
- Interpret IR spectra to identify characteristic absorption bands arising from functional groups
- Assign proton and carbon-13 NMR signals including integration, chemical shift, and splitting patterns to specific molecular environments
- Integrate evidence from multiple spectroscopic techniques to determine the structure of an unknown organic compound
10
Further Organic Chemistry
Structure Determination
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Determine molecular formula from mass spectra by identifying the molecular ion peak.
- Identify functional groups from characteristic absorption bands in IR spectra.
- Interpret 1H NMR spectra including chemical shift, integration, and splitting to deduce molecular structure.
- Explain the principles of electron impact mass spectrometry and fragmentation.
- Predict the number of signals, their integration, and splitting patterns for given organic molecules.
- Propose a consistent structure by combining evidence from MS, IR, and NMR data.
11
Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Acids, Bases and Buffers
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Define pH and calculate pH of strong and weak acids and bases
- Explain buffer solutions and calculate their pH
- Perform acid-base titrations and select indicators
12
Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Electrochemistry
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Calculate standard cell potentials
- Predict the direction of redox reactions
- Describe the construction and use of electrochemical cells
13
Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Group 2: The Alkaline Earth Metals
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the reactions of Group 2 elements with water, oxygen and acids
- Explain the trend in reactivity down the group
- Describe the solubility of Group 2 hydroxides and sulfates
14
Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Group 7: The Halogens
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the trends in physical properties of halogens
- Explain the reactivity trend and displacement reactions
- Describe the reactions of halide ions with silver nitrate and concentrated sulfuric acid
15
Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Kinetics II
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Derive rate equations from experimental data
- Determine the rate constant and its units
- Explain the Arrhenius equation and activation energy
16
Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Periodicity
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Explain trends in atomic radius, ionisation energy and electronegativity across Period 3
- Describe the bonding and structure of Period 3 elements and their oxides
- Explain the acidic/basic nature of Period 3 oxides
17
Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Thermodynamics
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Define entropy and calculate entropy changes
- Use Gibbs free energy to predict spontaneity
- Explain the effect of temperature on spontaneity
18
Further Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
Transition Metals
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the characteristic properties of transition metals
- Explain the formation of coloured compounds
- Describe the catalytic activity of transition metals
19
Organic Chemistry
Alcohols and Phenols
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Distinguish between primary, secondary, and tertiary alcohols using structural formulas and chemical tests.
- Predict the oxidation products of primary and secondary alcohols with reagents such as acidified dichromate.
- Explain the relative acidities of alcohols, phenols, and water using inductive effects and resonance stabilization.
- Write balanced equations for the oxidation of ethanol to ethanal and ethanoic acid, specifying necessary conditions.
20
Organic Chemistry
Alkanes and Halogenoalkanes
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the properties and reactions of alkanes
- Explain free radical substitution
- Describe nucleophilic substitution of halogenoalkanes
21
Organic Chemistry
Alkenes and Alkynes
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe addition reactions of alkenes
- Explain Markovnikov's rule
- Describe the properties and reactions of alkynes
22
Organic Chemistry
Amines and Amino Acids
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Classify amines as primary, secondary or tertiary
- Describe basicity of amines
- Describe the structure and properties of amino acids
23
Organic Chemistry
Aromatic Chemistry
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the structure and stability of benzene
- Explain electrophilic substitution reactions
- Describe the directing effects of substituents
24
Organic Chemistry
Carbonyl Compounds
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Distinguish between aldehydes and ketones
- Describe nucleophilic addition reactions
- Identify carbonyl compounds using Tollens' and Fehling's tests
25
Organic Chemistry
Carboxylic Acids and Derivatives
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Describe the acidity of carboxylic acids
- Explain the formation of esters, acyl chlorides and amides
- Describe hydrolysis reactions
26
Organic Chemistry
Introduction to Organic Chemistry
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Identify the functional groups present in a given organic molecule and classify it into a homologous series.
- Apply IUPAC nomenclature rules to systematically name alkanes, alkenes, haloalkanes, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and esters, including branched and cyclic structures.
- Distinguish between structural isomerism (chain, position, functional group) and stereoisomerism (geometric and optical) with reference to molecular connectivity and spatial arrangement.
- Determine the presence of geometric (cis/trans or E/Z) isomerism in alkenes and cyclic compounds, and assign configurations using CIP priority rules.
- Explain optical isomerism in terms of chiral centers, enantiomers, and their non-superimposable mirror image relationship, including the concept of racemic mixtures.
- Draw and compare structural formulas of isomers to demonstrate differences in connectivity or spatial orientation.
27
Organic Chemistry
Polymers
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Distinguish between addition and condensation polymers
- Describe the formation of polyesters and polyamides
- Explain the properties of polymers
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 601/8512/0
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- CCEA
- Qualification Type
- GCE A Level
- Operational Start
- Sept 2016
- Operational End
- Aug 2029