03PHY

NCEA Level 3 Physics

Course Description

Teacher in Charge: Zev Fishman.

In this contextualised physics course, students will be using physics to explore the physical world around them. Students will form insights into modern physics, which encapsulates quantum and nuclear science, and the future of energy generation in Aotearoa. Students will also be studying astronomy and our relationship to the stars. Finally, students will be learning about the physics of musical instruments and the practical uses of laser technology.

  • AS 91525 3.5 Modern Physics
  • AS 91527 3.7 Socio-scientific Physics
  • AS 91521 3.1 Practical investigation
  • AS 91415 3.6 Astronomy
  • AS 91523 3.3 Waves
  • AS 91522 3.2 Physics in context

Note: Due to a mixture of Physics and Earth/Space Science standards which make up this course, it is officially classified as Level 3 Science (General) for the purposes of University Entrance. Keep this in mind when choosing between 03PHY and 03PHX.

Although this course offers more than 20 credits, the required 14 credits could be gained from any combination of the Level 3 standards provided by the course, in consultation with the teacher, student, and parents.

Recommended Prior Learning

You should have gained at least 14 credits in any Level 2 Science course, including 7 credits from Level 2 Physics.

Credit Information

You will be assessed in this course through all or a selection of the standards listed below.

This course is eligible for subject endorsement.

This course is approved for University Entrance.

Total Credits Available: 21
Internal Assessed Credits: 17
External Assessed Credits: 4
Assessment
Description
Level
Internal or
External
Credits
L1 Literacy Credits
UE Literacy Credits
Numeracy Credits
A.S. 91415 v2
NZQA Info

Earth and Space Science 3.6 - Investigate an aspect of astronomy


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 4r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91521 v2
NZQA Info

Physics 3.1 - Carry out a practical investigation to test a physics theory relating two variables in a non-linear relationship


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91522 v2
NZQA Info

Physics 3.2 - Demonstrate understanding of the application of physics to a selected context


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91523 v2
NZQA Info

Physics 3.3 - Demonstrate understanding of wave systems


Level: 3
Internal or External: External
Credits: 4
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91525 v2
NZQA Info

Physics 3.5 - Demonstrate understanding of Modern Physics


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 0 *
Numeracy Credits: 0
A.S. 91527 v2
NZQA Info

Physics 3.7 - Use physics knowledge to develop an informed response to a socio-scientific issue


Level: 3
Internal or External: Internal
Credits: 3
Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
University Entrance Literacy Credits: 3r *
Numeracy Credits: 0
Credit Summary
Total Credits: 21
Total Level 1 Literacy Credits: 0
Total University Entrance Literacy Credits: 7
Total Numeracy Credits: 0

Approved subject for University Entrance

Number of credits that can be used for overall endorsement: 21

Only students engaged in learning and achievement derived from Te Marautanga o Aotearoa are eligible to be awarded these subjects as part of the requirement for 14 credits in each of three subjects.

Disclaimer

Course availability is dependent on numbers and staffing, and course entry cannot be confirmed until the beginning of the 2025 school year.