Biology - Higher Human
SCQF Framework
SCQF Level: 6
SCQF Credit Points: 24
Skills Framework
Delivering Centre
Vale of Leven Academy
Purpose and Aims
The course develops candidates’ interest and enthusiasm for human biology in a range of stimulating, relevant and enjoyable contexts. It also allows flexibility and personalisation by offering a choice of contexts to study. The skills of scientific inquiry and investigation are developed throughout the course. This will enable candidates to become scientifically-literate citizens.
The course provides a broad-based, integrated study of a range of biological topics which develop the concepts of human biology. The content is set in contexts that are of particular significance and relevance to the human species.
The course allows candidates to acquire a deeper understanding of cellular processes, physiological mechanisms and their impact on health, aspects of the nervous system, and defence mechanisms as they apply to the human species.
The development of skills enables candidates to adapt their learning to new situations, solve problems, make decisions based on evidence, and evaluate the impact of scientific developments on their health and wellbeing, society and the environment. By setting the acquisition of knowledge and skills in the context of Higher Human Biology, a stimulating, relevant and enjoyable curriculum prepares candidates for further education, training or employment, in areas associated with life sciences.
The course aims to:
- Develop and apply knowledge and understanding of human biology
- Develop an understanding of human biology’s role in scientific issues and relevant applications of human biology, including the impact these could make in society
- Develop scientific inquiry and investigative skills
- Develop scientific analytical thinking skills, including scientific evaluation, in a human biology context
- Develop the skills to use technology, equipment and materials safely in practical scientific activities
- Develop planning skills
- Develop problem-solving skills in a human biology context
- Use and understand scientific literacy to communicate ideas and issues and to make scientifically informed choices
- Develop the knowledge and skills for more advanced learning in human biology
- Develop skills of independent working
Recommended Entry
Candidates should have achieved the National 5 Biology course or equivalent qualifications and/or experience prior to starting this course.
Progression
- Advanced Higher Biology
- Other qualifications in biology or related areas
- Further study, employment and/or training
Career Options
Further Information
Course Content
The course content includes the following areas of human biology:
Human cells
The key areas covered are:
- Division and differentiation in human cells
- Structure and replication of DNA
- Gene expression
- Mutations
- Human genomics
- Metabolic pathways
- Cellular respiration
- Energy systems in muscle cells
Physiology and Health
The key areas covered are:
- Gamete production and fertilisation
- Hormonal control of reproduction
- The biology of controlling fertility
- Antenatal and postnatal screening
- The structure and function of arteries, capillaries and veins
- The structure and function of the heart
- Pathology of cardiovascular disease (CVD)
- Blood glucose levels and obesity
Neurobiology and Immunology
The key areas covered are:
- Divisions of the nervous system and neural pathways
- The cerebral cortex
- Memory
- The cells of the nervous system and neurotransmitters at synapses
- Non-specific body defences
- Specific cellular defences against pathogens
- Immunisation
- Clinical trials of vaccines and drugs
Course Assessment Structure
Question Paper - 120 marks
Question paper 1 (multiple choice) : 25 marks
Question paper 2: 95 marks
This is 80% of the overall marks for the course assessment. Marks are distributed proportionally across the course content. The majority of marks are awarded for demonstrating and applying knowledge and understanding. The other marks are awarded for applying scientific inquiry, scientific analytical thinking, problem-solving skills and the impact of applications of human biology on society. The question papers assess breadth, challenge and application of skills, knowledge and understanding from across the course. They assess the application or extension of knowledge and/or skills in unfamiliar situations, practical and theoretical contexts. They also assess scientific inquiry skills, analytical thinking skills and problem-solving skills.
The question papers give candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:
- demonstrating knowledge and understanding of human biology by making accurate statements, describing information, providing explanations and integrating knowledge
- applying human biology knowledge to new situations, analysing information and solving problems
- planning or designing experiments/practical investigations to test given hypotheses or to illustrate particular effects
- selecting information from a variety of sources
- presenting information appropriately in a variety of forms
- processing information (using calculations and units, where appropriate)
- making predictions and generalisations based on evidence/information
- drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence/justification
- evaluating experiments/practical investigations and suggesting improvements
Question paper 1 contains multiple-choice questions.
Question paper 2 contains restricted-response and extended-response questions.
Assignment - 20 marks
The assignment has a total mark allocation of 20 marks. This is scaled to 30 marks by SQA to represent 20% of the overall marks for the course assessment.
The assignment assesses the application of skills of scientific inquiry and related human biology knowledge and understanding.
It allows assessment of skills that cannot be assessed by a question paper; for example, handling and processing data gathered through experimental work and research skills.
Assignment overview
The assignment gives candidates an opportunity to demonstrate the following skills, knowledge and understanding:
- applying knowledge of human biology to new situations, interpreting information and solving problems
- planning, designing and safely carrying out experiments/practical investigations to test given hypotheses or to illustrate particular effects
- selecting information from a variety of sources
- presenting information appropriately in a variety of forms
- processing information (using calculations and units, where appropriate)
- making predictions and generalisations based on evidence/information
- drawing valid conclusions and giving explanations supported by evidence/justification
- evaluating experiments/practical investigations and suggesting improvements
- communicating findings/information effectively
The assignment offers challenge by requiring candidates to apply skills, knowledge and understanding in a context that is one or more of the following:
- unfamiliar
- familiar but investigated in greater depth
- integrating a number of familiar contexts
Candidates research and report on a topic that allows them to apply skills and knowledge in human biology at a level appropriate to Higher.
The topic must be chosen with guidance from teachers and/or lecturers and must involve experimental work.
The assignment has two stages:
- research
- report
The research stage must involve experimental work which allows measurements to be made.
Candidates must also gather data/information from the internet, books or journals.
Candidates must produce a report of their research.