Abbey College offers the Advancing Physics course, the most up-to-date course available, which provides a combination of applied physics suitable for prospective engineers, and advanced conceptual physics to interest Physics Nobel laureates of the future. But do not get the idea that this is a course for boffins only: the course provides a route for those who wish to study Physics out of interest. The special relationship between Abbey College Physics Department and the University of Birmingham provides students with a unique transition to university.

What is a typical lesson like?

In Physics there is no such thing as a typical lesson. The format of lessons depends upon the students, being adapted to suit the strengths of each individual student. For example, special care is taken to ensure that those who are not so strong as others are not disadvantaged, and with this goal in mind computer simulations and modelling play a large part in lessons. Experiments are key to the physical sciences, and so Physics involves much practical work, and coursework focuses on this, together with developing research and presentation skills.

How can I succeed in this subject?

Many people think that Physics is a difficult subject, but in fact it requires much less fact-learning than just about any other subject. Physics at AS and A2 is about understanding interlocking concepts rather than facts, and the best way to understand is to ask questions. Extend this to your everyday life. Why does a pan of hot water cool down more quickly without a lid? Why does a car's engine cooling fan have unequally spaced blades?  Why does a car airbag have a hole in the back of it? How does an aeroplane stay in the air? Why doesn't a cathedral collapse? Physics is not just something you do in lessons - you learn it on your way to college, playing darts, kicking a ball, or just sitting watching TV. Physics keeps your mind active and alive.

For what careers is Physics useful?

You might think that a Physics qualification is useful only for those who want to do Physics at University. Well, it is useful for that. But are you interested in designing bridges and roads to help the developing world? Or developing the next generation of environment-friendly vehicles? Or perhaps you want to help develop financial models that might help avoid another credit crunch? Or develop the next 'killer' computer game? Or be the Medical Physicist responsible for imaging bodies and brains, or treating tumours. How about designing the structure of dresses? (Yes - Physics explains the bias- cut dress). But Universities Medical Schools and future employers see Physics as an important A Level, not necessarily for the knowledge developed, but more for the analytic approach to problem solving it develops. But physics is even more useful: it is FUN, and once you discover that fact you will be drawn in deeper and deeper. But beware: Physics is not for rule followers.

Supportive materials:

We are often asked which book we recommend to help learn Physics. We bring you bad news: there is no single book that could ever help every student; each student is different. We recommend that you buy a selection

Books and resources:

Advanced Physics, Steve Adams and Jonathan Allday, Oxford £37.00

A very good book covering all permutations of the AS/A2 course, written in a very accessible style, but without excluding the more advanced student.

A-level Physics, Roger Muncaster, Nelson Thornes, £35.99.

The best A Level book available. It is not as glossy as Evans and Allday, and doesn't follow the modern 'spread' approach, but its strength is in its rigorous approach to the subject. It is more suited to those who are good at Maths.

The New Science of Strong Materials: Or Why You Don't Fall Through the Floor, J E Gordon, Penguin, £12.99

A delightful book, written so that anybody can learn something from it.

QED - The Strange Theory of Light and Matter, Richard Feynman, Penguin, £9.99.

Richard Feynman was one of the most brilliant scientists of the 20th Century, but unlike most he was also a superb communicator. Everybody should read this. In fact, everybody should read everything ever written by Feynman.

Physics for Scientists and Engineers, Philip Tipler and Gene Mosca, £47.99,

This is a book for students (and teachers) who want to be stretched. Sometimes the A-level course delves rather shallow, but this book will help convince the inquisitive student of what was stated as 'fact' in lessons.

The Institute of Physics (which was involved in the development of the course) provides excellent web support at

http://advancingphysics.iop.org/support_materials/as_student/index.html

http://advancingphysics.iop.org/support_materials/a2_student/index.html

Teacher: Anthony Chabot.