All Chemistry is taught within the modern Queen's building, which includes three custom built teaching laboratories, a departmental library and all necessary resources.

The subject teaching is shared between the Head of Department and Mr David Grant, who are experienced teachers and subject examiners.

Chemistry at Christ College is a voyage of discovery and understanding of this fascinating subject. Taught wherever possible from an experimental viewpoint, we aim to secure the best possible results for all of our pupils.

Since the year 2000 138 candidates have sat A-level Chemistry. All 138 candidates have passed, 103 of them securing grade A or B.

All of us possess the ability to appreciate nature and the world around us. However for many that appreciation alone is not enough, we require an understanding of our domain, and that understanding is the world of chemistry.

Everything that we touch, everything that we see or taste is Chemistry.

From the air that we breathe, to the colour of the flowers, to the strength of a diamond - all is revealed in an understanding of chemistry.

The study of chemistry – or biochemistry - is essential to our understanding of the human body. Some 80% of the body is water. Dehydrate that water and you are left with approximately 12 kg of chemicals – some of the most breathtakingly complex and beautiful of molecules – but chemicals all the same.

Every thought or emotion that passes across your mind involves the flow of neurotransmitters (chemicals) between synapses in the brain.

The next wonder drug will be made by chemists of the future.

The majority of the universe is composed of just the two simplest elements - hydrogen and helium. All of the other 100 plus elements are formed when a dying star collapses in upon itself, and under immense temperatures and pressures produced fuses these simple elements into heavier ones. As the dying star explodes it scatters it soul and with it these elements to the solar winds. These eventually coalesce into new worlds, and these are the elements that combine to make up your body – born in the stars – you are literally stardust!

Head of Department: Dr. Paul W Smith
Email: paul.smith@christcollegebrecon.com