CURRICULUM CHANGES: Physics 12 IRP for BC

Observations: September 3 2005
The timetable set out in the "Observations: May 31 2002", at least as it applies to Physics 12, has clearly not been followed. At this stage there does not appear to be a revision timetable for Physics 11/12. There have been some minor changes to the Physics 12 PLOs from an examinations perspective. These can be found here.

Observations: May 31 2002
There is some discussion that provincial exams may be dropped, possibly replaced by some other form of high school leaving evaluation. At this point any discussion on the matter seems to be pure speculation. Whether or not the timetable proposed a year ago for science course revisions is still applicable is unknown, at least to me.

In a note released March 19 2001 by Darlene Monkman, Science Curriculum Coordinator for the British Columbia Ministry of Education, the following timetable for science course revisions was set out. In particular, visitors to this site should note dates relevant to Physics 11 and 12:

• April 2003 - March 2004 : Revise Physics 11/12
• September 2004: Optional implementation of revised Physics 11/12

Science Curriculum Revision.

Year 1 - April 1, 2001 to March 31, 2002
Establish an Overall K-12 Science Curriculum Plan
Revise Science K-7 IRP
Revise Science Safety Manual

Year 2 - April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003
Distribution of K-7 IRP with optional implementation for September 2002
Revise Science 8-10 IRP
Conduct a review of Earth Science11/Geology 12, Applications of Physics
11/12, Resource Sciences 11/12, Agriculture 11

Year 3 - April 1, 2003 to March 31, 2004
Distribution of Science 8-10 IRP with optional implementation for September
2003
Review/Renew Science and Technology 11
Revise Biology 11/12 and Physics 11/12

Year 4 - April 1, 2004 to March 31, 2005
Distribution of Biology 11/12 and Physics 11/12 with optional implementation
for September 2004
Revise Chemistry 11/12 and one other Senior Science

The last updates to the Physics 12 course description were put into effect in September 1997. These are summarized here.

Dropped

• All options dropped: Quantum Physics/Fluids/AC Electronics
• Kepler's Laws dropped from Circular Motion section
• Escape velocity dropped from gravitation section
• Magnetic force between current-carrying wires dropped
• Magnetic field around a current-carrying wire dropped
• Torque on a current-carrying loop dropped
• Slide-wire potentiometer dropped

Added or status clarified

• Scalar quantities now expressly included
• Identifying workplace and community applications now expressly included
• Efficieny (e.g. of a motor) now expressly included
• Total orbital energy (KE+PE) now included
• Gathering and analyzing data expressly stated as a learning outcome (A10)

Other observations

• Projectile motion does not have to be over level ground (restriction removed ca. 1988)
• Written response section requires descriptive answers in at least two problems
• Graphing questions (A10) have started off as fairly straightforward but are evolving in difficulty
• Graphing calculators are permitted (effective 1999) but there are concerns about their use

These changes are incorporated into provincial examinations beginning with the 1997-98 school year. According to the most recent table of specifications for the physics examination, the general format should remain much as it has been for the past number of years with two exceptions: the "options" section no longer applies and a question based on item A10 (graphing  and interpretation of data) draws in. The total marks remains set at 120, divided equally between multiple choice questions and written response problems.

Need a Physics 11/12 Curriculum Guide aka IRP?

Need Physics 12 Examination Specifications ? (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Need Physics 12 Examinations, Keys, Reports to Schools? (all require Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Last updated: 09/04/05

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