AS/A2 Physics

AS/A2 Physics

Why study Physics?
Physics is about unravelling the universe, to try and find out how it works. Discoveries in Physics have been at the heart of most advances in technology. It is an exciting and challenging subject to study, requiring an enquiring mind and clear thinking. The range of ideas in Physics could not be greater from observing the furthest reaches of the universe to experiments on the inner secrets of the nucleus. The rewards of Physics include a deeper understanding of the universe and the development of skills that are highly sought after both by universities and employers.

What will I study and how will it be assessed?
You will follow the Advancing Physics AS/A2 course at College. Developed by the Institute of Physics and the OCR examination board, this course allows you to learn about the fundamental ideas in Physics and their modern technological settings. It shows how Physics is used and its place in todays world. You are encouraged to use your imagination and have the opportunity to develop practical, data-handling and ICT skills. The course is supported by a full range of resources both in print and in electronic form.

The main themes of the AS course include:

• Communication electricity, optics and information theory.


• Materials properties and structures.


• Wave and quantum behaviour interference, diffraction, photons and electrons.


• Space, time and motion vectors and mechanics.

The main themes of the A2 course include:

• Models and rules including radioactivity, gravity and theories of the universe.


• Matter gases, the effects of temperature and the motion of atoms.


• Fields electric and magnetic fields.


• Fundamental particles atomic, nuclear and sub-nuclear structure.

In both the AS and A2 courses, your achievement is assessed through written examinations (80%) and through coursework (20%).

There are two written exam papers in the AS course. The first is taken in January and is worth 30% of the AS total (15% of the A Level). The second is taken in June and is worth 50% of the AS total (25% of the A Level). The coursework, which counts for 20% of the AS total (10% of the A Level), consists of two assignments spread over the year:

• Instrumentation project where you design, test and evaluate a sensor system.


• Materials presentation you carry out research into a material of your own choice and make a presentation.

In the A2 course there is a written exam paper in January (15% of the A Level) and a final paper in June (25% of the A Level). There are two pieces of coursework, spread over the year, which are worth 10% in total of the A Level:

• Practical investigation where you do your own experiments on an aspect of Physics.
  


• Research report you carry out research on a topic in Physics that interests you, and produce a report on it.
  

Does Physics link particularly well with other subjects?
The approach and skills that you learn in Physics complement all other scientific and technical subjects and Mathematics. There are common areas of study with the Mechanics content of some of the AS/A2 Maths modules, and with the basic principles in AS Electronics. However, depending on career aspirations and preferences, our students study a wide variety of other AS subjects including Chemistry, Biology, Computing, History, Geography and Music Technology.

Where might it lead me?
The skills that you gain through studying Physics are in high demand in the world beyond College. Physics A Level is a well-respected academic and scientific qualification that keeps many doors open on your career path. The degree courses that many of our students go on to study cover a wide range of subjects from Engineering and Medicine to Mathematics and Computing, as well as Physics, Astrophysics and Electronics.

Entry Requirement
You will have studied Physics as part of Core and Additional Science or on its own at GCSE. It does not matter which you have taken but we do require a minimum Grade B in your Physics related subject and also a Grade B in Mathematics. Past experience has shown us that students who do not gain these minimum qualifications at GCSE tend to struggle with Physics at College. Mathematical methods are used extensively in Physics and it is recommended that one of your other AS subjects is Maths, particularly if you are planning to continue on to the A2 course. However it is possible to study AS/A2 Physics without studying AS/A2 Maths. You should be aware though that nearly all Engineering, Physics and related degree courses require you to have A Level Maths. If you are considering studying Physics without the support of AS Maths then ask for advice at one of the College Open Evenings or at your Admissions/Enrolment interview. All AS Physics students who are not taking AS Maths attend an extra weekly Maths support lesson if their timetable permits.