A Level Physics

A Level Physics
The Physics Department will be teaching to the syllabus which is offered by Edexcel. The approach will be that used for many years with the emphasis on the practical applications of Physics, where the teaching of a topic is placed in a practical context. For instance in the first year mechanics is taught through applications in sport, sound through music, and properties of materials through medical applications. In the second year nuclear physics is taught through stars and oscillations through the impact of earthquakes. The course is an ideal foundation for such subjects as Engineering, Optometry, and Medical careers etc, as well as being fun and of value in itself. In the past students have gone on to study a whole range of different subjects at university. It is not compulsory that you take Mathematics at A level but you should be competent with mathematical skills. Coursework plays an important part in this course so you should enjoy practical work. Also there are plenty of opportunities for the use of Information Technology particularly relating to experiments.

Exam Board/ Specification Edexcel (AS Physics, A2 Physics)
Subject entry requirements: In addition to GCSE English Grade C Mathematics GCSE grade B, two GCSEs at grade B or better, one in GCSE Science and the other in GCSE Additional Science. Alternatively a grade B or better in Physics and one other science subject.

Exam Units (unit no / title):
AS

Unit 1: Physics to Go (80 minutes)

Unit 2: Physics at Work (80 minutes)

Unit 3: Exploring Physics (internal coursework)

A2

Unit 4: Physics on the Move (95 minutes)

Unit 5: Physics from Creation to Collapse (95 minutes)

Unit 6: Experimental Physics (internal coursework)

Coursework details:
Coursework contributes 20% of the AS mark and 20% of the A2 mark (so overall this corresponds to 20% of the total A level marks).