Russian Federation: Description of Physics Programs and Curriculum
The physics curriculum (program) for the Russian students assessed in TIMSS Advanced 2015 followed the 2004 Federal Education Standards for Upper Secondary Education (Grades 10-11) of 2004. The content of this program are presented at two levels: Basic and Profile. These levels are distinguished by the amount of the material being studied and the amount of instructional time. The Basic level program is designed for those students who plan to learn a profession that is not related to physics. The Profile level program includes at least 4 lessons (3 hours) per week and provides sufficient depth of physics study to make it possible for students to enter a profession where physics is actively used. It includes a large amount of content and has higher requirements for its mastery. The mastery of this content makes it possible for students to continue to university-level studies in physics disciplines.
The Profile level curriculum includes an explanation of the main goals of the program and provides for the organization and planning of physics courses, including:
- General characteristics of the Profile course
- Compulsory content and learning outcomes
- The number of lessons per week and per year
- General learning skills and activities
The goals of studying physics at the Profile level of secondary general education are:
- To develop knowledge of scientific methods, a contemporary physical picture of the world, properties of matter and energy, dynamic and statistical laws of nature, elementary particles and fundamental interactions, the structure and evolution of the universe, and the basics of fundamental physical theories
- To master skills to observe, plan, and carry out experiments; process measurement results; hypothesize; and build models and establish the boundaries of their application
- To apply knowledge to explain natural phenomena, properties of matter, and principles of technical devices; to solve physical problems; and to evaluate the reliability of new information
- To develop cognitive interests, intellectual and creative abilities in problem solving in physics, and independent acquisition of new knowledge; and abilities to execute experimental studies and prepare reports, essays and other creative works
- To develop respect for opposing opinions and work cooperatively; the ability to evaluate scientific achievements morally and ethically; and respect for the creators of science and technology
- To use acquired knowledge and skills to solve practical problems, manage and protect the environment, and promote the safety of human life and society
The compulsory learning content lists the topics to be taught in secondary school physics courses. A list of requirements for graduates of secondary school includes the learning outcomes related to the topics taught. These requirements are generally described in terms of what students should know and what they should be able to do. In addition, students should be able to use the knowledge and skills that they acquire in everyday life. These program has been in place since 2004 and was updated by the Ministry of Education and Science in 2012. The content and topics of the Profile physics course are listed below.
| Content Area | Topics |
|---|---|
| Physics as a Science and the Nature of Science | Scientific methods; the role of experiment and theory in the study of nature; modelling of natural phenomena and objects; scientific hypotheses; the role of mathematics in physics; physical laws and theories and the limits of their applicability; the physical picture of the world |
| Mechanics | Motion; equations of uniformly accelerated rectilinear motion; circular motion with constant velocity; centripetal acceleration; the principle of superposition of forces; the laws of dynamics; inertial reference frames; Galileo’s principle of relativity; forces in mechanics: gravity, elasticity, friction; Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation; weight and weightlessness; the laws of conservation of momentum and mechanical energy; moment of force; equilibrium of a solid body; mechanical vibrations; amplitude, period, and frequency of oscillation; the equation of harmonic oscillations; free and forced vibrations; resonance; mechanical waves; wavelength |
| Molecular Physics | The atomic hypothesis of the structure of matter and its experimental evidence; the model of the ideal gas, absolute temperature scale; temperature as a measure of the average kinetic energy of the thermal motion of particles; the relationship between the pressure of an ideal gas and the average kinetic energy of thermal motion of its molecules; the equation of state of an ideal gas; gas processes; model of the structure of liquids; saturated and unsaturated vapor; humidity in air; model of the structure of solids; changes in aggregate states of matter; the first law of thermodynamics; adiabatic processes; the second law of thermodynamics; principles of thermal machines; efficiency of a heat engine; problems of energy and environmental protection |
| Electrodynamics | Elementary electric charge; the law of conservation of electric charge; Coulomb’s Law; the principle of superposition of electric fields; the potential of an electric field; conductors and dielectrics in an electric field; energy of an electric field; electrical current; series and parallel circuits; electromotive force (EMF); Ohm’s law for a complete circuit; electric current in metals, liquids, gases and vacuum; plasma; semiconductors; conductivity of semiconductors; semiconductor diodes; semiconductors; induced magnetic fields. Ampere’s force law; Lorentz force; magnetic flux; Faraday’s law of induction; Lenz’s law; self-inductance; inductance; energy of a magnetic field; magnetic properties of matter; oscillating circuits; free electromagnetic oscillations; forced electromagnetic waves; alternating current; production, transmission and consumption of electrical energy; electromagnetic fields; speed of electromagnetic waves; properties of electromagnetic radiation; light as an electromagnetic wave; the speed of light; interference of light; diffraction of light; diffraction grating; the laws of reflection and refraction of light; total internal reflection dispersion of light; various types of electromagnetic radiation and their practical application; the formula of thin lens; optical instruments |
| Quantum Physics | Max Planck’s quantum hypothesis; the photoelectric effect; Stoletov experiments; Einstein’s equation for the photoelectric effect; photons; the planetary model of the atom; Bohr’s quantum postulates and line spectra; de Broglie’s hypothesis and wave-particle duality; electron diffraction; lasers; models of nuclear structure; nuclear forces; nucleon models; nuclear binding energy; nuclear spectra; nuclear reactions; chain reactions in nuclear fission; radioactivity; radioactive decay |
| Structure of the Universe | The solar system; stars and their sources of energy; modern ideas about the origin and evolution of the Sun and stars; our galaxy; other galaxies; the spatial scale of the observable universe; the applicability of the laws of physics to explain the nature of space objects; redshift in the spectra of galaxies; modern views on the structure and evolution of the universe |
Textbooks are written specifically in accordance with the approved program and teachers develop classroom materials based on the curricular documents. It is up to both textbook authors and classroom teachers to decide additional topics to include beyond what is specified in the physics program. Teachers are given the autonomy to develop their own approaches to teaching the course content in terms of sequencing the topics and can adapt their teaching to the need of their students in terms of knowledge and development.