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A Level

In Eastleigh ()

Price on request

Description

  • Type

    A Level

  • Duration

    1 Year

Advanced level Physics was initially developed as a first step towards a University degree in Physics or Engineering. Its uses has since broadened as a qualifying examination for many other subject areas, so that now the vast majority of Physics students continue to Higher Education in a wide range of courses and take up careers in many different fields. Students spend all their lessons in a.

Important information

Government funding available

About this course

Students wishing to follow the A level course should have at least five GCSE passes at C or above, including grade BB in Double Science (not Applied Science) or grade B in Physics, and a grade B in Mathematics. The average GCSE grade needs to be grade C or above. We regret that GCSE Applied Science does not contain sufficient Physics and is not a suitable qualification for this course. We...

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Course programme


Physics
Advanced level Physics was initially developed as a first step towards a University degree in Physics or Engineering. Its uses has since broadened as a qualifying examination for many other subject areas, so that now the vast majority of Physics students continue to Higher Education in a wide range of courses and take up careers in many different fields.

Students spend all their lessons in a laboratory. A variety of teaching styles is used including practical demonstrations, the use of videos and some computer simulations.

Practical work forms an important part of the course and individual investigations would include using a computer with sensors to study motion. The department provides at a text book which covers all the material needed on the course. Printed notes are provided for the more specialised topics.

The syllabus is Edexcel AS Physics and A level Physics.

What Will I Learn On This Course?

Through a study of physics, students gain a better understanding of the material world around them. This should lead them to catch some of the excitement of modern Physics as it seeks to explain how the Universe came to be as it is today, and what fundamentals particles it is made from. They will be better equipped to follow the scientific discussions of the day, such as global warming, and, of course, qualified to study a wide range of subjects at degree level

Course Content And Method Of Assessment

AS
Unit 1 : , "Physics on the Go". This covers motion, energy and materials: how, for example, we might decide which material is suitable for a hip replacement. (Written examination 1hr 30mins.)
Unit 2 : "Physics at work". How we can use physics to understand music and how music may be recorded onto a CD, for example. This unit also covers how we use our knowledge of physics to power satellites. (Written Examination 1hr 30mins.)
Unit 3 : Experimental Skills. This coursework consists of a case study in which the student has to plan as experiment, carry it out and write it up. This might, for example, mean carrying out as experiment to examine the properties of a material to see if it is suitable for a particular task.

A2
Unit 4 : "Physics on the Move". This deals with thinking about how physics is used in transport and also the science of communications and the discovery of fundental particles (Written Examination 1hr 30mins.)
Unit 5 : "Physics from Creation to Collapse". What happened at the Big bang? How do stars evolve? How can we make buildings earthquake proof?. (Written Examination 1hr 30mins)
Unit 6 : "Experimental physics". Plan an experiment, carry it out, record the measurements, analyse your results and make your conclusions.

After The Course

The following list gives an idea of the career opportunities that have been taken up by former students of the department after completing the second year of the A2 course:

Meteorology Communications Alternative Energy Engineering Geophysics
Environmental Physics Industry Material Science Medical Physics
Computing The Media (technical) Scientific Civil Service Architecture
Scientific Civil Service Architecture Accountancy Law
Law Management The Police Service The Forces Medicine Theatre Management
Economics and Business

Subject Combinations

Most Physics students also study A level Mathematics and these two subjects alone can lead to a wide range of possible degree courses and hence careers in Science, Engineering in all its many branches, many careers in Para-Medical fields and also in numerous careers with an Environmental aspect.

Physics, whether at AS or A2 level, can also be a useful support for other non-science based areas such as Business Studies, Economics and languages where some technical knowledge would be an advantage in future studies or employment.

Entry Requirements

Students wishing to follow the A level course should have at least five GCSE passes at C or above, including grade BB in Double Science (not Applied Science) or grade B in Physics, and a grade B in Mathematics. The average GCSE grade needs to be grade C or above. We regret that GCSE Applied Science does not contain sufficient Physics and is not a suitable qualification for this course. We strongly advise candidates to continue studying Mathematics alongside their AS and A2 Physics.

AS Physics

Price on request