N4 geography

The study of Geography fosters positive life-long attitudes of environmental stewardship, sustainability and global citizenship. In studying Geography you learn how human beings deal with the different surroundings in which they live in different parts of the world, and about the physical processes which shape many of our landscapes.  During the course there will also be opportunities for practical activities, including fieldwork so that learners can interact with their local environment.

Geography is a broad academic subject which will open up options for the future.  Employers and universities see Geography as a subject rich in skills, knowledge and understanding.  The demand for green jobs and skills is expected to increase rapidly as Scotland transitions to Net-Zero. This means that more employers are looking to deliver their own green strategies and shape a sustainably skilled workforce.  Geography is the perfect subject to prepare young people for this.  

Find out more:

• Choose N4 Geography

• For National 4 is Level 3 achieved in BGE

• For National 3 is Level 2 achieved in BGE

GLOBAL ISSUES

Learners will study two global issues (chosen by your teacher) from the following: 

Climate change  

• features of climate change 

• causes — physical and human  

• effects — local and global 

• management strategies to minimise impact/effects 

Natural regions  

• tundra and equatorial tropical forest climates and their ecosystems  

• use and misuse of these environments by people  

• effects of land degradation on people and the environment  

• management strategies to minimise impact/effects 

Environmental hazards  

• the main features of earthquakes, volcanoes and tropical storms  

• causes of each hazard  

• impact of each hazard on people and the landscape  

• management — methods of prediction and planning, and strategies adopted in response to environmental hazards 

Trade and globalisation  

• world trade patterns 

• causes of inequalities in trade 

• impact of world trade patterns on people and the environment  

• strategies to reduce inequalities — trade alliances, fair trade, sustainable practices 

Tourism  

• mass tourism and eco-tourism  

• causes of/reasons for mass tourism and eco-tourism  

• impact of mass tourism and eco-tourism on people and the environment  

• strategies adopted to manage tourism 

Health  (HIV, Heart Disease & Cholera)

• distribution of a range of world diseases 

• Causes

• Effects

• strategies adopted to manage

HUMAN ENVIRONMENTS

In this unit we look at the impact we humans have had on our planet. Why do we live where we do and why do so many or so few people live in certain regions? We look at how we feed our planet’s population in farming and compare our story in developed countries with that of developing countries. We will also compare life and landscape in the towns and cities across the planet to life in the countryside.

In the context of developed and developing countries:  

• use of social and economic indicators 

• physical and human factors influencing global population distribution  

• factors affecting birth and death rates 

In the context of urban areas:  

• characteristics of land-use zones in cities in the developed world 

• recent developments in the CBD, inner city, rural/urban fringe in developed world cities  

• recent developments which deal with issues in informal housing settlements in developing world cities

In the context of rural areas: 

• changes in the rural landscape in developed countries related to modern developments in farming such as: diversification, impact of new technology, organic farming, genetic modification, current government policy  

• changes in the rural landscape in developing countries related to modern developments in farming such as: genetic modification, impact of new technology, biofuels

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENTS

In this unit we cover the planet’s natural features. We learn about the UK’s weather patterns  as well as embarking on new journeys across river and limestone landscapes.  Map skills are developed as we investigate land use across a variety of landscapes. 

Weather within the context of the United Kingdom:

• the effect of latitude, relief, aspect and distance from sea on local weather conditions 

• the characteristics of the five main air masses affecting the UK  

• the characteristics of weather associated with depressions and anticyclones

Landscapes: 

• upland limestone — limestone pavements, potholes/swallow holes, caverns, stalactites and stalagmites, intermittent drainage  

• rivers and their valleys — v-shaped valleys, waterfalls, meander, ox bow lake, levee 

Land use:  

• farming  forestry  industry  recreation and tourism  water storage and supply  renewable energy

• the conflicts which can arise between land uses within the landscape  

• the solutions adopted to deal with the identified land use conflicts

At N3/4,  pupils will complete 

• 3 compulsory SQA unit assessments 

• an Added Value Unit on a chosen topic. 

These are marked by your teacher and verified by the SQA.  The course is graded as pass or fail.

N5 Geography 

Employers and universities see Geography as a subject rich in skills, knowledge and understanding. There are a wide range of employment opportunities which will be open to you by studying Geography.  These include Architecture, Engineering, Energy services, Geology, Environmental consultancy, Renewables, Agriculture, Tourism, Local Government, Education, Social services, Health care, Land management, Aviation and the Armed forces and so much more!

Find out more:

• Careers in Geography

• Geography - A World of Opportunity