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Frequently Asked Questions
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Thinking about the course?
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Advancing Physics was launched in 2000 and is designed specifically for the AS/A2 system, with over 14,000 students studying AS and A2 in 2002.
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Choice
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The course is modern and allows choice in study, including research and presentation tasks, small experimental projects and opportunities to study in depth.
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Physics is well respected by universities and can lead to a wide variety of exciting careers.
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Up to date
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- The course includes sections on particle physics and cosmology, and takes account of important trends, including:
- The digital revolution in communication
- The increasing use of micro-sensors
- The growth of 'designer materials'
Still not sure? Read the FAQs for more information, or contact advancing.physics@iop.org with any queries.
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What resources do I need to study Advancing Physics?
What exam grades have past students gained?
What subjects would physics go well with?
Will physics at A-level improve my chances of being accepted by universities?
What sort of careers are open to physicists?
Can I contact other Advancing Physics students?
How is Advancing Physics assessed?
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What resources do I need to study Advancing Physics?
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The main resource for AS and A2 are the Student’s Books, priced at £18.00. The Student CD-ROMs (£18.75 each) are very useful resources which feature a wealth of further reading, questions and answers, datasets and more.
A PC at home would be useful for private study, but your school or college should provide Advancing Physics either on individual PCs or on a network.
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What exam grades have past students gained?
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Advancing Physics students achieved the best AS physics pass rates in June 2001, with 65% gaining a ‘C’ grade or above.
In 2002, A2 students achieved a 95% pass rate for A2, with 30% gaining an 'A' grade
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What subjects would go well with physics?
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Physics naturally goes well with other science subjects, and would also complement arts-based A-levels. A good proportion of candidates study Maths – a choice that would certainly aid understanding in physics – but plenty do not, and it is not essential to combine the two.
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Will physics at A-level improve my chances of being accepted by universities?
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There is no doubt that physics is highly regarded by universities. Obviously, it is essential if you want to continue physics at degree level, but it would be very useful if you’re considering engineering, maths or another science subject.
For those who may study an arts subject at degree level, a physics A-level indicates a high level of application and well-rounded interests.
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What sorts of careers are open to physicists?
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Physics applications, like the career opportunities, are extremely varied. Employers today actively seek out people who can prove their ability to think logically, understand complex ideas and apply them to the real world. If you want a career in science, the media, education, business or a host of other fields, physics can help give you the edge.
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Some physicists tackle the application of physical ideas to industrial and engineering problems.
Physics graduates also find employment in medicine, computing and finance. Typical sectors where physicists are found include:
- Research and development
- Design and production
- Telecommunications
- Medical physics
- Astronomy and Astrophysics
- Meteorology
- Education
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Can I contact other Advancing Physics students?
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Click here to find out more about the Connecting Advancing Physics Students (CAPS) email network.
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How is Advancing Physics assessed?
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Advancing Physics AS
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The AS year is assessed by two exams and three short pieces of coursework.
The two exams, worth 90 marks each, are straightforward and include short and structured questions.
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Coursework
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The three short coursework tasks, worth 40 marks each, should take three hours of contact time and an equivalent amount of independent study. They comprise:
Instrumentation task
Materials research and presentation
Making sense of data
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Advancing Physics A2
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The A2 year is assessed by three exams and two pieces of coursework.
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The first two exams are worth 70 marks each and have a similar format to those for AS.
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The third paper, Advances in Physics (90 marks), is a synoptic exam. Candidates receive a printed text about physics including data and diagrams some weeks before the exam. This gives you plenty of time to read the passage and look up unfamiliar ideas before answering questions about it in Section A of the exam.
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Section B of this paper contains two structured questions about physics and its applications.
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Coursework
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These two tasks give you the opportunity to work independently, choosing your own topic. Each task is expected to take two weeks of contact time and the associated independent study time:
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Practical Investigation – on any aspect of physics which interests you
Research Report - on a physics topic of your choice, which requires the use and synthesis of ideas from different areas (40 marks each)
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