Biology

What will I Learn?

• We look at the structure of cells and the processes within them.

• We find out about life on earth and how organisms interact with one another.

• We explore how biological issues affect the world around us.
  
  

What skills with I develop?

• Numeracy and problem solving skills that are key to Biology, along with the use of experimental techniques.
  
  

What could be helpful?

• If you are confident in Maths and English this will help you succeed with this course.

• An interest in finding out about life on earth, how your body works and industries in biology is recommended.
  
  

Is there is an Exam?

• During the S3 course you will have a number of progress checks throughout the year, practical write ups and assessed tasks.  This is to help you understand your progress through the year.
  
  

What comes next?

• In S4, you can continue with National 4 or National 5 Biology dependent on progress.  The National 4 course is assessed in school with not final exam.  The National 5 course has a final SQA Exam and Assignment.
  
  

Where can this take me?

• This course can lead to National 5 Biology and on to Higher Human Biology and Advanced Higher Biology.  These courses open a lot of opportunities for various courses at College, University or life after school.

What will I Learn?

• You will build on the knowledge and skills developed in S3. 

• You will focus on these three key areas

  1. Cell Biology

  2. Multicellular Organisms

  3. Life on Earth
     
     

What skills with I develop?

• A deeper understanding of biology’s role in scientific issues.

• An understanding of biology in society and the environment.

• Scientific inquiry skills to plan, carry out experiments and analyses results.
  
  

What could be helpful?

• S3 Biology to ensure you have developed the core knowledge and skills required to succeed.

• If you are confident in Maths and English, this will also help you succeed with this course.
  
  

Is there is an Exam?

• During this course you will have a number of progress checks throughout the year, practical write ups and assessed tasks.

• A National 3 in Biology is assessed through a end of Unit assessment, a practical write-up and a research task. All of these assessments are completed in class.
  
  

What comes next?

• This can lead to the National 4 Biology dependent on progress during this course.
  
  

Where can this take me?

• This course can lead to National 4 Biology.

• These courses open a lot of opportunities for various courses at College, University or life after school.

What will I Learn?

• You will build on the knowledge and skills developed in S3. 

• You will focus on these three key areas

  1. Cell Biology

  2. Multicellular Organisms

  3. Life on Earth
     
     

What skills with I develop?

• A deeper understanding of biology’s role in scientific issues.

• An understanding of biology in society and the environment.

• Scientific inquiry skills to plan, carry out experiments and analyses results.
  
  

What could be helpful?

• S3 Biology to ensure you have developed the core knowledge and skills required to succeed.

• If you are confident in Maths and English this will also help you succeed with this course.
  
  

Is there is an Exam?

• During this course you will have a number of progress checks throughout the year, practical write ups and assessed tasks.

• A National 4 in Biology is assessed through a end of Unit assessment, a practical write-up and a research task. All of these assessments are completed in class.
  
  

What comes next?

• This can lead to the National 5 Biology dependent on progress during this course.
  
  

Where can this take me?

• This course can lead to National 5 Biology.

• These courses open a lot of opportunities for various courses at College, University or life after school.

What will I Learn?

• You will build on the knowledge and skills developed in S3. 

• You will focus on these three key areas

  1. Cell Biology

  2. Multicellular Organisms

  3. Life on Earth
     
     

What skills with I develop?

• A deeper understanding of biology’s role in scientific issues.

• An understanding of biology in society and the environment.

• Scientific inquiry skills to plan, carry out experiments and analyses results.
  
  

What could be helpful?

• S3 Biology to ensure you have developed the core knowledge and skills required to succeed.

• If you are confident in Maths and English this will also help you succeed with this course.
  
  

Is there is an Exam?

• During this course you will have a number of progress checks throughout the year, practical write ups and assessed tasks.

• There is a final end of year SQA exam and assignment.
  
  

What comes next?

• This can lead to the Higher Biology or Higher Human Biology dependent on progress during this course and we recommend an A - B at N5 to proceed to a Higher science course.
  
  

Where can this take me?

• This course can lead to Higher Biology and Higher Human Biology.

• These courses open a lot of opportunities for various courses at College, University or life after school.

What will I Learn?

• DNA and the Genomes, including how cells specialize and mutations and their effect on evolution

• Metabolism and survival including different metabolic processes and surviving changing conditions.

• We also look at interdependence and sustainability including animal behaviour and welfare and threats to biodiversity.
  
  

What skills with I develop?

• Numeracy and problem solving skills that are key to Biology, along with the use of experimental techniques.
  
  

What could be helpful?

• You should aim to have an A or B at N5 Biology to be successful in this course.

• N5 maths A – C is important  as you will need to apply your mathematical skills to a range of problems. It would be helpful if you are confident in English
  .

Is there is an Exam?

• During the course you will have a number of progress checks throughout the year, practical write ups and assessed tasks.

• The Higher course has a final SQA exam and assignment.
  
  

What comes next?

• You can continue to Advanced Higher Biology or look at NPA Level 6 - Scientific Technologies course as an alternative.
   

Where can this take me?

• This course can lead to Advanced Higher Biology.

• Keys skills developed in this course are in demand by lots of employers, Universities and Colleges.

What will I Learn?

• Human cells, including how they divide, mutate and use energy in our bodies.

• Physiology of reproduction and Health/ Disease of the Cardiovascular system.

• We also look at how the brain works and how our bodies fights infection.
  
  

What skills with I develop?

• Numeracy and problem solving skills that are key to Biology, along with the use of experimental techniques.
  
  

What could be helpful?

• You should aim to have an A or B at N5 Biology to be successful in this course.

• N5 maths A – C is important  as you will need to apply your mathematical skills to a range of problems. It would be helpful if you are confident in English.
  
  

Is there is an Exam?

• During the course you will have a number of progress checks throughout the year, practical write ups and assessed tasks.

• The Higher course has a final SQA exam and assignment.
  
  

What comes next?

• You can continue to Advanced Higher Biology or look at NPA Level 6 - Scientific Technologies course as an alternative.
  
  

Where can this take me?

• This course can lead to Advanced Higher Biology.

• Keys skills developed in this course are in demand by lots of employers, Universities and Colleges.

What will I Learn?

• There are 3 main areas that you will find out about. Cells and proteins includes; lab techniques.

• Organisms and evolution includes; field techniques.

• Investigative biology covers; scientific principles experimentation, reporting.
  
  

What skills with I develop?

• You will develop a range of skills during the Advanced Higher Biology course.

• Numerical, problem solving and practical skills are some of the key skills develops.

• In addition to self study skills such as time management and communication skills.
  
  

What could be helpful?

• You should aim to have have an A or B grade in Higher Biology or Higher Human Biology. A Higher A - C grade in Mathematics and English would be helpful.

• An interest in practical biology and problem solving.

Is there is an Exam?

• There will be a number of progress checks throughout the year, practical write ups and assessed tasks.

• There are two main components to the course. 

• Component 1 is a 3 hour question paper. This is examined through at the end of the year. 

• Component 2 is the project. This can be completed throughout the year in class and sent to SQA for marking.
  
  

What comes next?

• Advanced Higher Biology can lead to a range of further opportunities.

• This includes a range of college and university course as well as a range of exciting careers.

• Biology has many transferable skills which are beneficial even outside of science careers.
  
  

Where can this take me?

• This course will prepare you for what to expect of a 1st year University course.

• The organisation, time-management and discipline required for self study will prepare you for College, University or life after school.