The clue is in the name. Chemistry is a worthwhile A-Level to consider if you’re thinking of studying a degree and/or pursuing a career in a specialist engineering discipline like chemical engineering or biomedical engineering.
If you’re interested in studying engineering at university and find yourself weighing up the best A-Level subjects to get you there, it’s worth having Chemistry on your shortlist.
It’s common for aspiring engineers to prioritise Maths and Physics at A-Level. And while these are important subjects, it’s worth considering sciences like Chemistry and Biology too. In this post, we’ll take a closer look at how a Chemistry A-Level can equip you to study engineering at degree level.
How does a Chemistry A-Level Prepare You For An Engineering Career?
The Chemistry A-Level will involve you learning about three core subject areas.
Physical Chemistry
If you remember your GCSE Chemistry, you’ll know that this branch of Chemistry is concerned with the physical properties of chemical compounds. Specific topics include atomic structure, thermodynamics and oxidation.
This branch of chemistry can enhance your understanding of some of the fundamentals of mechanical engineering. For example, understanding how materials behave under different conditions (like stress, temperature changes) is crucial.
Organic Chemistry
This is the branch of chemistry that studies the structure, properties and reactions of organic compounds and organic materials
Organic chemistry sets you up for an engineering degree because it allows you to understand how carbon compounds form the building blocks of materials and products that we use every day.
For example, in biomedical engineering, organic chemistry is key in designing pharmaceuticals and understanding biological systems.
Likewise, in materials engineering, understanding organic compounds gives you insights into the creation of new polymers and plastics that make up everyday consumer products, as well as specialised materials used in aerospace, automotive, and biomedical industries.
Inorganic Chemistry
Inorganic chemistry covers the study of inorganic compounds and metals. In terms of its ability to prepare you for an engineering degree or career, inorganic chemistry can help you understand how the properties of metals and inorganics is fundamental in developing new materials for use in everything from construction to electronics.
In civil or environmental engineering, knowledge of inorganic chemistry is vital for gaining of understanding of cement chemistry, metallurgy, and environmental remediation.
What types of engineering does a Chemistry A-Level allow you to work in?
Chemistry A-Level lays the groundwork for understanding the fundamental properties and behaviors of materials – knowledge that is essential in a number of key engineering fields.
Chemical Engineering
Naturally, this is a direct fit, where chemistry principles are essential in processes involving chemical production and transformation.
Environmental Engineering
Chemistry is crucial for understanding and solving environmental challenges, such as pollution control and sustainable resource management.
Biomedical Engineering
Knowledge of chemistry is essential for drug development, understanding biological systems, and medical device innovation.
Civil Engineering
Chemistry aids in understanding the properties of construction materials and environmental impact assessments.
Mechanical Engineering
Understanding materials and their properties can be crucial in designing mechanical systems and components.
What soft skills can a Chemistry A-level give you?
Critical thinking and analytical skills
Engineering is all about solving complex problems, and chemistry develops your ability to think critically and analytically. You learn to approach problems systematically, conduct experiments to test hypotheses, and analyze results to draw conclusions. These skills are directly applicable to engineering, where critical analysis and problem-solving are daily tasks.
Mastery of material science
A significant part of engineering involves understanding and working with different materials.
Chemistry A-Level provides you with a deep understanding of how materials behave under various conditions, how they can be altered and combined to create new substances with desirable properties.
This knowledge is crucial, especially in fields like materials science, chemical engineering, and biomedical engineering.
Understanding environmental impact
Chemistry plays a pivotal role in understanding and addressing environmental issues. With a growing emphasis on sustainable engineering practices, knowledge of chemistry enables you to design processes and products that are environmentally friendly and sustainable.
Skills in chemistry are particularly relevant in environmental engineering and any field where the environmental impact is a key consideration.
Practical laboratory skills
Chemistry A-Level involves a significant amount of practical laboratory work. This hands-on experience is invaluable in engineering, where experimental testing, prototype development, and lab-based research are often essential components of the job.
Learning lab techniques, safety protocols, and data analysis in chemistry sets a strong foundation for future engineering practices.
Adaptability to technological advances
Chemistry, as a field, is constantly evolving with new discoveries and technological advancements. Studying chemistry at A-Level equips you with a mindset to adapt and grow with these changes, a quality that is highly beneficial in the engineering world.
Engineers must be able to integrate new technologies and methods into their work, and a background in chemistry provides the perfect platform for this adaptability.
Interdisciplinary understanding
Chemistry is inherently interdisciplinary, often overlapping with physics, biology, and environmental science.
This broad perspective is highly advantageous in engineering, where projects often require a multidisciplinary approach.
Understanding the chemical aspects of a problem can lead to more innovative and comprehensive solutions in engineering.
Enhanced communication skills
Chemistry A-Level often involves presenting findings, writing reports, and working in teams. These activities hone your communication skills – both written and verbal.
Effective communication is essential in the engineering field, where you must convey complex technical information clearly and concisely to colleagues, clients, and stakeholders.
Global & ethical perspective
Modern engineering challenges require not just technical skills but also a global and ethical perspective.
Chemistry teaches you about the impact of materials and processes on the environment and society. This awareness is crucial for becoming a responsible engineer who designs solutions that are not only effective but also sustainable and ethical.
Real-world applications & industry relevance
Chemistry A-Level includes a focus on real-world applications, making your learning experience highly relevant to the engineering industry. Whether it’s understanding the chemistry behind energy-efficient materials, pollution control technologies, or synthetic materials, the practical knowledge you gain provides a strong foundation for an engineering career.
Chemistry deserves its place alongside Physics and Maths as a crucial A-Level that can give you a firm grounding in some of the key concepts and core skills necessary to succeed as an engineer.
Whether you’re interested in chemical, biomedical or civil engineering, Chemistry A-Level is a qualification that ensures you have plenty of exciting options at your fingertips!