Physics

In order to study DP Physics, students should have a 5 to study at standard level and a 6 to study at higher level in their G10 report card for Physics.

The course enables students to:

1. Develop conceptual understanding that allows connections to be made between different areas of the subject, and to other DP sciences subjects

2. Acquire and apply a body of knowledge, methods, tools and techniques that characterize science

3. Develop the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesize scientific information and claims

4. Develop the ability to approach unfamiliar situations with creativity and resilience

5. Design and model solutions to local and global problems in a scientific context

6. Develop an appreciation of the possibilities and limitations of science

7. Develop technology skills in a scientific context

8. Develop the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively

9. Develop awareness of the ethical, environmental, economic, cultural and social impact of science.

Course content:

A. Space, time and motion

B. The particulate nature of matter

C. Wave behaviour

D. Fields

E. Nuclear and quantum physics

Required skills:

Past experience shows that students will be able to study physics at SL successfully with no background in, or previous knowledge of, science. Their approach to learning, characterized by the IB learner profile attributes, will be significant here. However, for most students considering the study of physics at HL, while there is no intention to restrict access, some previous exposure to formal science education would be necessary. Specific topic details are not specified but students who have undertaken the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) or studied an equivalent national science qualification or a school-based science course would be well prepared for an HL subject.

Distinction between SL and HL:

Students at SL and HL share the following:

• An understanding of science through a stimulating experimental programme

• The nature of science as an overarching theme

• The study of a concept-based syllabus

• One piece of internally assessed work, the scientific investigation

• The collaborative sciences project

The SL course provides students with a fundamental understanding of physics and experience of the associated skills. The HL course requires students to increase their knowledge and understanding of the subject, and so provides a solid foundation for further study at university level. The SL course has a recommended 150 teaching hours, compared to 240 hours for the HL course. This difference is reflected in the additional content studied by HL students. Some of the HL content is conceptually more demanding and explored in greater depth. The distinction between SL and HL is therefore one of both breadth and depth. The increased breadth and depth at HL result in increased networked knowledge, requiring the student to make more connections between diverse areas of the syllabus.

Internal Assessment: 

Internal assessment is an integral part of the course and is compulsory for both SL and HL students. It enables students to demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge, and to pursue their personal interests, without the time limitations and other constraints that are associated with written examinations. The internal assessment should, as far as possible, be woven into normal classroom teaching and not be a separate activity conducted after a course has been taught. The internal assessment requirements at SL and at HL are the same. Students have 10 hours to complete it. 

Section under construction.

• Chee Wong  |  cwong@danubeschool.com 

• Consultation time by Appointment Only. (Please contact the subject teacher via email.)