Subject Knowledge Enhancement: Chemistry (36 weeks)

Why study with us?

This is an 18 unit, 36 week Teaching Agency funded course.

It is aimed at students wishing to commence a PGCE in Chemistry or Physics starting the following September. This would normally be aimed at students who already have a degree but with insufficient Physics or Chemistry content. During the first semester (September to December) students study a combination of Physics and Chemistry at a basic level. At the start of the second semester, in January, they will choose to specialise in a Physics or Chemistry route where the subject knowledge will be studied at a more advanced level.

What can this course lead to?

This course enables you to build your subject knowledge in order to train to teach Secondary Science with a Chemistry specialism. There are excellent job opportunities in this subject due to their being a national shortage of teachers in this subject.

Entry requirements See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credits

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: 60 credits Selection criteria

Academic requirements

We ideally require a 2:2 Hons degree including some study of science. Ideally this should be backed up with an A Level grade C or above in Chemistry or Physics or other physical science. Applicants without science in the degree but with a good science GCSE (grade C or above) may also be considered. Applicants with a lower classification in their degree may be considered on a discretionary basis by the course tutor. All applicants must demonstrate in their application and at interview the potential to benefit from the enhancement course.

CRB Enhanced Disclosure

All entrants to the enhancement course must obtain a CRB Enhanced Disclosure with University of Cumbria. Included within this is satisfactory provisional registration with the General Teaching Council.

ITT offer

All entrants must provide evidence that they have a confirmed place on a suitable scheme of Initial Teacher Training (ITT) to train as a Chemistry or Physics teacher in order to secure their place on the enhancement course. Acceptable offers include a place on a PGCE in Chemistry or Physics at University of Cumbria or other University or Higher Education Institution or a place on a Graduate Teacher Programme to train as a Secondary Science teacher.

Modules

Semester one

• Biochemistry
• Earth and Atmosphere
• Environmental Chemistry
• Energy
• Environmental Physics
• Introduction to Organic Chemistry
• Introduction to Electricity
• Chemical Building Blocks
• Introduction to Waves
• Metals
• Radioactivity

Semester two

• Atomic Structure
• Structure and Bonding
• Quantitative Chemistry
• Industrial Chemistry
• Rates of Reaction
• Aqueous Chemistry
• Fuels
• Further Organic Chemistry
• Chemical Analysis
• Developing a Chemical Storyline
• Modelling Atomic Structure
• Molecular Interactions
• Advanced Quantitative Chemistry
• Chemical Kinetics
• Advanced Organic Chemistry
• Chemical Themes and Processes
• Quantitative Reaction Kinetics
• Complex Chemical Reactions
• Thermodynamics
• Transition Metals
• Chemical Projects
• Chemistry Beyond the Curriculum

Course summary

The course can be divided into two parts. Part one is taught through semester one and includes studying a range of subject related topics.

The topics will be delivered using a variety of teaching and learning strategies including practical work, group activities, peer presentations, peer assessment, e-learning, individual and group written tasks all covering basic chemistry and physics content plus the associated scientific processes and skills.

In semester two, you will join the students on the six month subject knowledge enhancement courses and two distinct groups will be formed: one studying Chemistry and one studying Physics.