Physics (Standard and Higher Levels)
Previous knowledge
Whilst the course is designed so that it can be taken without any previous knowledge, it is desirable that students who wish to study Physics at Standard Level have gained at least a grade C in Physics or a relevant GCSE Science course, and students who wish to study the Higher Level have gained an grade B or above. All students studying IB Physics should at least be studying Mathematics at Standard level. Students who have not studied Physics immediately before Diploma level, or who have not achieved the desired grades and who wish to study Physics, will only gain access to the course after an interview with the IB Coordinator and the Head of Physics to assess their suitability. (See ‘Who is the IB Diploma Programme for?’)
Physics SL
The SL Physics course is designed to have 150 hours of teaching with theory covered in 110 hours and practical work including the Group 4 project taking 40 hours.
The SL course is divided into core theory: 80 hours, options theory: 30 hours, practical work investigations: 30 hours and Group 4 project: 10 hours.
Students will study the following core theory topics:
Physics and Physical Measurement
Mechanics
Thermal Physics
Oscillations and Waves
Electric Currents
Fields and Forces
Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Energy, Power and Climate Change
JESS students will study the optional topics:
Option A: The Eye and Sight
Option E: Astrophysics
Physics HL only
The HL Physics course adds depth and breadth to the SL course. It is designed to take 240 hours of teaching with theory taking 180 hours and practical including the Group 4 project taking 60 hours.
The HL course is divided into core theory: 80 hours, additional higher level theory: 55 hours, options theory: 45 hours, practical work investigations: 50 hours and Group 4 project: 10 hours.
Students will study the following core theory topics:
Physics and Physical Measurement
Mechanics
Thermal Physics
Oscillations and Waves
Electric Currents
Fields and Forces
Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Energy, Power and Climate Change
Additional Higher level theory topics:
Motion in Fields
Thermal Physics
Wave Phenomenon
Electromagnetic Induction
Quantum Physics and Nuclear Physics
Digital Technology
JESS students will study the optional topics:
Topic E: Astrophysics
Topic I: Medical Physics
Assessment
All students will be formally examined at the end of the two-year course. In addition students will be required to undertake Internal Assessment of their practical skills over the duration of the two-year course, where their Experiment Design, Data collection and Processing, Conclusion and Evaluation and Manipulative Skills will be assessed. This will begin as soon as the course starts. Finally at the end of Year 12 all students must also take part in the Group 4 project which will allow their Personal Skills to be assessed.