Physics

Course summary

This is a two-year course and at the end of Year 13, three written papers assess all of the six modules listed. No coursework contributes to the A Level Physics grade but there is a non-examined practical assessment that is reported separately. Knowledge of investigative techniques will be tested in the written exams. If you have an inquisitive mind and would like to discover and understand more about the physical world around you then Physics could be the subject for you. As this is a demanding course it is recommended that you should be sitting the higher papers at GCSE in Science/Physics and Mathematics, and aiming for a Grade 6 or above. This is in addition to the general sixth-form entry requirements. Physics deals with profound questions about the nature of the Universe and with some of the most important, practical, environmental, and technological issues of our time. Physics is concerned with observing natural phenomena and man-made systems, trying to understand them, and predicting what might happen in new and unknown situations. It is a very broad subject and therefore develops skills that are useful outside Physics, e.g. practical and mathematical problem solving, the ability to reason clearly and communicate complex ideas. As well as classical Physics, more modern ideas such as cosmology, medicine, and nuclear Physics are also studied. Physics A Level is split into six teaching modules as shown below: 1 Development of practical skills 2 Foundations of Physics 3 Forces and Motion 4 Electrons, Waves, and Photons 5 Newtonian World & Astrophysics 6 Particles and Medical Physics The wide range of skills acquired by studying A-level Physics means many career paths are possible including engineering, IT, medicine, finance, and of course, rocket science!