Geography
Geography
What will I Learn?
Sustainability + Climate Change
Environmental Hazards - Earthquakes, Volcanoes & Hurricanes
Geography of Health - Heart Disease, Malaria & HIV/Aids
What skills will I develop?
Skills in literacy through using and analysing information.
Research skills as you investigate themes, events, and case studies.
The ability to use information from a range of sources to produce detailed and reasoned lines of argument.
What do I need to do this?
An interest in the wider world and issues linked to how humans interact with the world around them along with a passion for finding out about Global Issues and how we face the challenges of a rapidly changing world.
A willingness to develop your written, oral presentation, and an investigative skills and an enthusiasm for learning new things.
Is there is an Exam?
There is a formal assessment for the Sustainability and Climate Change topic which requires you to produce a report based on research you have undertaken. Successful completion of this assessment will achieve a National Progression Award at Level 4.
Other assessments in S3 will review knowledge and skills regularly so you will be able to have a clear understanding of how you are progressing.
What comes next?
In S4, you can either take National 4 or National 5 Geography depending on your progress in S1 - S3.
Where can this take me?
Studying Geography supports you in developing a wide range of skills which are in demand in the workplace such as being able to interpret and analyse and present information in a formal way.
What will I Learn?
You will build on the knowledge and skills developed in S3.
You will focus on these three key areas
Human Geography - Topics are Population & Development, and Urban and Rural landscape management.
Physical Geography - Topics are Rivers & Limestone Landscapes; Landscape management and sustainability and weather in the UK.
Global Issues - Topics are Climate Change and Natural Hazards.
What skills with I develop?
You will develop straightforward mapping skills, including the use of Ordnance Survey maps.
You will develop straightforward research skills, including fieldwork skills.
You will learn to use and interpret a limited range of numerical and graphical sources of information.
What could be helpful?
Demonstrating a good knowledge and understanding of core topics in BGE Social Studies
Achieving Level 3 and beginning to work towards Level 4 in BGE Social Subjects.
If you are confident in 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 and assessed tasks.
A National 4 in Geography is assessed through the end of Unit assessments, and the production of an Added Value research based task. All of these assessments are completed in class.
What comes next?
This can lead to the National 5 Geography or other National 5 Social Studies courses dependent on progress during this course.
Where can this take me?
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/National 4.
You will focus on these three key areas
Human Geography - You will develop and apply knowledge and understanding of the processes and interactions at work within human environments. Topics are Population & Development, and Urban and Rural landscape management.
Physical Geography - You will develop and apply knowledge and understanding of the processes and interactions at work within physical environments. Topics are Rivers & Limestone Landscapes, Landscape management and sustainability and weather in the UK.
Global Issues - You will develop and apply knowledge and understanding of global geographical issues which demonstrate the interaction of physical and human factor. Topics are Climate Change and Natural Hazards.
What skills with I develop?
You will develop mapping skills, including the use of Ordnance Survey maps.
You will develop research skills, including fieldwork skills.
You will learn to use and interpret a range of numerical and graphical sources of information.
What could be helpful?
You should have achieved the BGE Social Studies fourth curriculum level, or National 4 Geography, History or Modern Studies. ,
If you are confident in 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 and assessed tasks throughout the year.
There is a final end of year SQA exam which accounts for 80% of the final mark and a research based assignment which accounts for 20% of the final mark.
What comes next?
This can lead to the Higher Geography or other Higher Social Studies courses dependent on progress during this course.
Where can this take me?
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 N5.
You will focus on these three key areas
Human Geography - You will develop and apply knowledge and understanding of the processes and interactions at work within urban and rural environments. Topics are Population; Rural Land Degradation and Management; and Urban Change and Management.
Physical Geography - You will develop and apply knowledge and understanding of the processes and interactions at work within physical environments. Topics are Atmosphere; Hydrosphere; Lithosphere; and Biosphere
Global Issues - You will develop and apply knowledge and understanding of global geographical issues which demonstrate the interaction of physical and human factors, and evaluate the strategies adopted to manage these issues. Topics are Climate Change and Development and Health
What skills with I develop?
Researching and evaluating a wide range of information collected from a range of sources about complex geographical issues
Using a wide range of mapping skills and techniques in geographical contexts which may be familiar or unfamiliar, including the use of Ordnance Survey maps
Using a wide range of research skills and techniques, including fieldwork skills, in geographical contexts which may be familiar or unfamiliar
Using a wide range of numerical and graphical skills and techniques in geographical contexts which may be familiar or unfamiliar
What could be helpful?
You should have achieved the National 5 Geography course at Grades A-C or equivalent qualifications in other Social Subjects.
A very good standard of English is advantageous and candidates should have achieved a National 5 English pass.
Is there is an Exam?
During the course you will have a number of progress checks throughout the year focussing on developing your ability to produce high quality Describe and Explain question answers; and source based data handling and analysis questions.
The Higher course has a final SQA exam which consists of two papers. The exam accounts for 73% of your overall mark.
You will also be required to produce an assignment which is completed under exam conditions in class. The assignment accounts for 27% of your overall mark.
What comes next?
You can take Advanced Higher Geography which will allow you to further develop your skill set.
Where can this take me?
Geography is a unique SQA qualification as it is the only course at Higher level which will qualify as a Science or Social Science for University admissions.
Keys skills developed in this course are also in demand by lots of employers, Universities and Colleges.