Students wishing to do AS and A2 Level Physics must achieve a grade B in GCSE Double Award Science and preferably a grade B in GCSE Mathematics. Students will be following the AQA syllabus for this course.

WHAT YOU WILL BE LEARNING ABOUT

You will be studying at 3 modules for Advanced Subsidiary (AS) one of these will contain a coursework element and 2 for Advanced Level (A2), again one of these will contain a coursework element.

The modules studied for AS and A2:

AS

• Particles, radiation and quantum phenomena
• Mechanics and molecular kinetic theory AS
• Current electricity and elastic properties of solids (includes coursework)

A2

• Waves, fields and nuclear energy
• Nuclear Instability and astrophysics (includes coursework) A2
  

AIMS

The Physics AS and A2 Level specification encourages candidates to:

1. develop essential knowledge and understanding in physics, and where appropriate, the applications of Physics, and the skills needed for the use of these in new and changing situations;
2. develop an understanding of the link between theory and experiment;
3. appreciate how Physics has developed and is used in present day society;
4. show the importance of Physics as a human endeavour which interacts with social, philosophical, economic and industrial matters;
5. sustain and develop their enjoyment of, and interest in, Physics;
6. recognise the quantitative nature of Physics and understand how mathematical expressions relate to physical properties;
7. bring together knowledge of ways in which different areas of Physics relate to each other;
8. study how scientific models develop.

HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED

The Scheme of Assessment has a modular structure.

• At AS level: 3 external papers covering each module and a piece of coursework.
• At A2 level: 2 external papers covering each module and a piece of coursework.
• A synoptic paper covering all modules completed in June of upper sixth year.

Tests are taken at 2 specific times of year – January and June.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

AS and A2 Level Physics provide opportunity to attend University and to pursue a number of careers including those in Engineering, Teaching, Research, Banking, Construction, IT.