Course at a glance
Introduction
This level 3 Diploma in Physics is of a similar academic standard and content to an A level in the subject. The course will be of interest to anyone who already has a basic knowledge and understanding of physics commensurate with GCSE level and wishes to develop their subject knowledge. It may also be of interest to students who wish to refresh their knowledge and understanding of physics as part of continuing professional development or as part of ongoing higher level planned study.
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Entry Requirement
Entry to this Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma requires that potential students have gained GCSE/IGCSE or equivalent qualifications and have, good English oral, reading and writing skills.
Advice on enrolment and guidance of prior learning (APL) can be obtained through out contact centre. The course is a rolling programme and can be started at any point in the year. Successful students can go on to Higher Education, including remaining as students at OLC to complete courses in our portfolio of higher awards.
All students must be aged 16 or over.
Assessment
The coursework is assessed through continuous assessment with no formal exit examinations.
Study Hours
Approximately: 200 hours of personal study time for the entire course is recommended. All of which is supported by the OLC Course Tutor, who we greatly encourage students to access support from throughout their course.
Quality Assurance
This course has been developed by the College’s professional team of tutors to meet the needs of sector based employers and employees. It is also part of the College’s validated level three Diplomas’, recognised internationally, as verified and moderated Centre for Interactive Education (CIE Global). Further details of our accreditations are provided on our website.
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Course Length
1 Year.
Awarding Body
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Course content
During your study you will be provided with an opportunity to explore the basic principles of physics together with learning key equations and reactions to support theories and models within the topic.
The overarching aim of the course is to provide you with an opportunity to study the basic concepts of physics in a real-world context and therefore be able to understand their relevance and application in the modern world.
The course is divided into 10 units and the main associated content of each unit is outlined below:
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Unit 1: Mechanics and momentum
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Motion
- Vectors and scalars
- Projectiles
- Forces and acceleration
- Newton’s Laws
- Collision
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Unit 2: Waves and materials
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Types of waves
- Polarisation
- Refraction and reflection
- Measurement of wavelengths
- Image brightness
- Density of materials
- Tensile strength of materials
- Young’s Modulus
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Unit 3: Magnetic Fields
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Electromagnetic induction
- Faraday and Lenz’s Laws
- Simple AC generators and transmission of electricity
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Unit 4: Electrical charges
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Basic circuitry, current, voltages, resistance
- Potential difference
- Power and applications
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Unit 5: Particle nature of light and space
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Photoelectric effect
- Kinetic energy
- The electron bolt
- Collision
- Fluorescence
- Electron diffraction
- Wave particle duality
- Space luminosity
- Astronomical distances
- Life cycle of stars and the universe
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Unit 6: Dimensional mechanics
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Linear and kinetic energy
- Gravity and gravitational forces
- Motion of masses
- Capitance
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Unit 7: Oscillation
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Simple harmonic motion
- Simple pendulum
- Phase and damping
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Unit 8: Nuclear and particle physics
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Atomic structure
- Evidence for the nucleus
- Measuring radioactivity and radioactive decay
- X-ray diffraction
- Nuclear density
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Unit 9: The atomic mass unit
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Particles and mass
- Fission and fusion
Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma Unit 10: Thermodynamics
During this unit you will study the following topics:
- Heat: specific heat capacity, transfer, latent and change
- The ideal gas and gas laws
- The pressure law
- The Mole
- Work and energy
Progression
This Accredited Level 3 Physics Diploma can be used to gain entry to a Level 4 Diploma or higher.