While chemistry is in large part a practical subject, there is much you can do to explore the subject matter further at home. The following recommendations allow you to deepen your understanding and follow a thread that might not be well covered in the A-Level syllabus. Supercurricular work will be helpful for you UCAS application, but that should not be the main motivation. It is more impressive when a student evidences genuine passion rather than merely goes through the motions of it.
1. Listen to podcasts to extend your scientific literacy
- Chemistry in its Element: Weekly episodes from the Royal Society of Chemistry, journeying through the Periodic Table.
- Chemistry World Podcast: Interviews and discussions on current Chemistry news.
- Inside Science: BBC Radio 4 shares the latest news from the science world.
- The Life Scientific: BBC Radio 4 interviews with leading scientists about their life and work.
- SciShow Tangents: Lighthearted chats about scientific research, with the creators of the SciShow YouTube channel.
- The Infinite Monkey Cage: Comedic panel programme hosted by Brian Cox looking at bizarre science questions with scientists and celebrity guests.
- Gresham College Science Lectures: Popular public lectures for the very latest knowledge.
2. Subscribe to Chemistry YouTube channels
- NileRed: A graduate Chemistry technician creates engaging experiment videos. Nearly 10 million subscribers!
- Periodic Videos: Short explainer videos for each element on the Periodic Table.
- Reactions: Primers on the chemistry behind everyday phenomena, from the American Chemical Society.
- The Organic Chemistry Tutor: Systematically annotated walkthroughs of general and organic concepts and their related problems.
- Professor Dave Explains: Concise interdisciplinary explanations from Chemistry topics to ‘everything around you’.
3. Read for wider understanding
- Imperial College London have gathered a thoughtful list of recommended readings from their own students and staff. See their explanations here, and some of the standout choices below:
- Chemistry: A Very Short Introduction by Peter Atkins (2015): An achievable read covering the scope, concepts and impact of Chemistry.
- Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvellous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World by Mark Miodownik (2013): Reveals the wonder of everyday materials like steel, glass and graphene through personal stories and engaging narratives.
- The Disappearing Spoon by Sam Kean (2010): Fascinating stories connected with elements of the Periodic Table.
- Napoleon’s Buttons: How 17 Molecules Changed History by Penny Le Couteur and Jay Burreson (1991): Surprising effect of chemical effects on exploration, invasion and progress.
- Uncle Tungsten: Memories of a Chemical Boyhood by Oliver Sacks (2002): An autobiographical account of how this famous scientist found solace in learning and developed his intellectual curiosity for Chemistry through school.
- Periodic Tales: The Curious Lives of the Elements by High Aldersey-Williams (2011): The behaviour, use, cultural impact and history of the elements told from a personal angle.
4. Take online courses for academic depth
A comprehensive list of ‘massive open online courses’ (or MOOCs) for Chemistry can be found here. Most of them dig into particular niches that may interest you but would be too numerous to list individually. Start with the two recommendations below, and then browse the others at your leisure.
- Exploring Everyday Chemistry (University of York on FutureLearn): Recommended for the transition from A-Level towards university study.
- Introduction to Chemistry: Reaction and Ratios (Duke University on Coursera): Course for non-experts on Chemistry concepts as a preparation for further study.
5. Enter a competition to inspire your motivation
- UK Chemistry Olympiad: Take your creativity and problem solving skills to their maximum. Starting with a written test and then proceeding to further rounds of practical demonstrations and theory exams.
6. Find Chemistry inspiration online
- Chemical & Engineering News
- Chemistry World: News, features and puzzles.
- The Chemical Engineer: Website of this monthly magazine from the Institution of Chemical Engineers.
Chemistry University Entrance Tuition
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