Science is an important part of our heritage
and we use its applications every day in our lives at work, at
leisure and in the home. Science and the application of science
are central to our economic future and to our health and well
being as individuals and as a society. Through learning in the
sciences, children and young people develop their interest in,
and understanding of, the living, material and physical world.
They engage in a wide range of collaborative investigative
tasks, which allows them to develop important skills to become
creative, inventive and enterprising adults in a world where the
skills and knowledge of the sciences are needed across all
sectors of the economy.
Within S1-S3 pupils study science that encompasses biology, chemistry, physics and earth science. In S3 pupils can choose to study additional science that gives greater breadth and application and firm foundations to further study. In S4-6 pupils can choose to study biology, chemistry or physics up to advanced higher level.
Within S1-S3 pupils study science that encompasses biology, chemistry, physics and earth science. In S3 pupils can choose to study additional science that gives greater breadth and application and firm foundations to further study. In S4-6 pupils can choose to study biology, chemistry or physics up to advanced higher level.
BIOLOGY
National 4/5 Biology:
This exciting course in Biology covers three main subject areas:
Unit 1: Cell Biology - What happens inside the tiny cells which make up our bodies, and the all other living things, which help to keep us alive? This will include: study of cell structure and function, transport in cells, production of new cells,
DNA and protein production, enzymes and their role in cells, genetic engineering, photosynthesis, and respiration.
Unit 2: Multi-cellular Organisms - How do plants and animals control their bodies and behaviour to survive? This will include: Specialisation of cells and tissues, the role of stem cells, controlling the body (role of the brain, nerves and hormones), reproduction and inheritance, transport systems in animals (heart and blood) and plants, and effect of lifestyle on health and wellbeing.
Unit 3: Life on Earth - How is all life on the Earth interconnected, and what are the current threats to life on earth? This will include: Factors affecting Biodiversity and distribution of life on Earth, how energy moves in the ecosystem, how nutrients (e.g. nitrogen) are recycled in the ecosystem, sampling and measuring of environmental factors, natural selection and evolution, and the human impact on the environment.
How will the course be assessed?:
The National 4 course is internally assessed and will include a research project as part of the final assessment.
The National 5 course is assessed by a mixture of internal assessment and a final external exam in May.
Higher Biology offers a broad and up-to-date selection of concepts and ideas that build on national 5 and are relevant to the central position of life science within our society. Learners develop a deeper understanding of the underlying themes of biology — evolution and adaptation; structure and function; genotype and niche — and the scale of topics ranges from molecular through to whole organism and beyond. Pupils develop scientific inquiry and investigative skills, scientific analytical thinking and evaluation skills, and the ability to understand and use scientific literacy to communicate ideas and issues. The course consists of three units and a research assignment. Each unit is assessed at unit level by a short minimum competency test that must be passed. The units are as follows;
Higher biology is suitable for pupils who have gained a pass at national 5. Those with A and B grades are likely to complete the higher over one year whilst C grades will benefit from a two year pathway.
Advanced Higher Biology
This Course is designed for all learners who can respond to a level of challenge especially those considering further study or a career in biology and related disciplines. This Course is suitable for learners who are very secure in their learning of the Higher Biology Course and demonstrate this by having achieved and A or B grade in the Higher biology, Human Biology Course or an equivalent qualification. This Course emphasises practical and experiential learning opportunities, with a strong skills-based approach to learning. Much of the knowledge content will be delivered as self-study and tutorial sessions. Pupils choosing any of the science advanced Highers must be committed to independent learning.
The Course will allow opportunities for learners to develop biological knowledge and skills that directly relate to real situations. On completing the Course, learners will have developed analytical thinking skills, inquiry and investigative skills, problem solving skills and practical skills that make the experience a good preparation for studying science at university or further education.
The course consists of three units and a research assignment. Each unit is assessed at unit level by a short minimum competency test that must be passed. The units are as follows;
CHEMISTRY
Glen Urquhart High School’s Chemistry qualifications cover a variety of contexts relevant to chemistry’s impact on the environment and society through the chemistry of the Earth’s resources, the chemistry of everyday products and environmental analysis.
National 4/5
The National 4/5 Chemistry Course enables learners to develop and apply knowledge and understanding of chemistry. Learners also develop an understanding of chemistry’s role in scientific issues and relevant applications of chemistry, including the impact these could make in society and the environment.
The course is comprised of 3 units:
How will the course be assessed?
The National 4 course is internally assessed and will include a research project as part of the final assessment.
The National 5 course is assessed by a mixture of internal assessment and a final external exam in May.
Higher
The Higher Chemistry Course develops learners’ curiosity, interest and enthusiasm for chemistry in a range of contexts. The skills of scientific inquiry and investigation are developed throughout the Course, and the relevance of chemistry is highlighted by the study of the applications of chemistry in everyday contexts.
The course is comprised of 3 units:
How will the course be assessed?
The Higher course is assessed by a mixture of internal assessment and a final external exam in May.
Advanced Higher
The Advanced Higher Chemistry Course develops learners’ knowledge and understanding of the physical and natural environments beyond Higher level.
The Course builds on Higher Chemistry, continuing to develop the underlying theories of chemistry and the practical skills used in the chemistry laboratory. Learners develop the skills of independent study and thought that are essential in a wide range of occupations.
The course is comprised of 3 units:
How will the course be assessed?
The Advanced Higher course is assessed by a mixture of internal assessment and a final external exam in May.
PHYSICS
National 4/5 Physics
National 4 and 5 Physics is split into 3 units that builds on Knowledge gained from S1-3:
How will the course be assessed?:
The National 4 course is internally assessed and will include a research project as part of the final assessment.
The National 5 course is assessed by a mixture of internal assessment and a final external exam in May.
Higher Physics
Higher Physics offers a broad and up-to-date selection of concepts and ideas that build on National 5 and are very topical within our society. Learners develop a deeper understanding of key topics within physics –
Dynamics, space, electricity; fundamental particles and waves — and the scale of topics ranges from looking at the fundamental particles that make up everything through to the universe as a whole. Pupils develop scientific inquiry and investigative skills, scientific analytical thinking and evaluation skills, and the ability to understand and use scientific literacy to communicate ideas and issues. The course consists of three units and a research assignment. Each unit is assessed at unit level by a short minimum competency test that must be passed. The units are as follows;
The research assignment forms part of the final assessment grade it is written under exam conditions and assessed by the SQA. The rest of the grade is made up by the exam in May.
Higher physics is suitable for pupils who have gained a pass at National 5. Those with A and B grades are likely to complete the higher over one year whilst C grades will benefit from a two year pathway.
National 4/5 Biology:
This exciting course in Biology covers three main subject areas:
Unit 1: Cell Biology - What happens inside the tiny cells which make up our bodies, and the all other living things, which help to keep us alive? This will include: study of cell structure and function, transport in cells, production of new cells,
DNA and protein production, enzymes and their role in cells, genetic engineering, photosynthesis, and respiration.
Unit 2: Multi-cellular Organisms - How do plants and animals control their bodies and behaviour to survive? This will include: Specialisation of cells and tissues, the role of stem cells, controlling the body (role of the brain, nerves and hormones), reproduction and inheritance, transport systems in animals (heart and blood) and plants, and effect of lifestyle on health and wellbeing.
Unit 3: Life on Earth - How is all life on the Earth interconnected, and what are the current threats to life on earth? This will include: Factors affecting Biodiversity and distribution of life on Earth, how energy moves in the ecosystem, how nutrients (e.g. nitrogen) are recycled in the ecosystem, sampling and measuring of environmental factors, natural selection and evolution, and the human impact on the environment.
How will the course be assessed?:
The National 4 course is internally assessed and will include a research project as part of the final assessment.
The National 5 course is assessed by a mixture of internal assessment and a final external exam in May.
Higher Biology offers a broad and up-to-date selection of concepts and ideas that build on national 5 and are relevant to the central position of life science within our society. Learners develop a deeper understanding of the underlying themes of biology — evolution and adaptation; structure and function; genotype and niche — and the scale of topics ranges from molecular through to whole organism and beyond. Pupils develop scientific inquiry and investigative skills, scientific analytical thinking and evaluation skills, and the ability to understand and use scientific literacy to communicate ideas and issues. The course consists of three units and a research assignment. Each unit is assessed at unit level by a short minimum competency test that must be passed. The units are as follows;
- DNA and the Genome
- Metabolism and Survival.
- Biology: Sustainability and Interdependence
Higher biology is suitable for pupils who have gained a pass at national 5. Those with A and B grades are likely to complete the higher over one year whilst C grades will benefit from a two year pathway.
Advanced Higher Biology
This Course is designed for all learners who can respond to a level of challenge especially those considering further study or a career in biology and related disciplines. This Course is suitable for learners who are very secure in their learning of the Higher Biology Course and demonstrate this by having achieved and A or B grade in the Higher biology, Human Biology Course or an equivalent qualification. This Course emphasises practical and experiential learning opportunities, with a strong skills-based approach to learning. Much of the knowledge content will be delivered as self-study and tutorial sessions. Pupils choosing any of the science advanced Highers must be committed to independent learning.
The Course will allow opportunities for learners to develop biological knowledge and skills that directly relate to real situations. On completing the Course, learners will have developed analytical thinking skills, inquiry and investigative skills, problem solving skills and practical skills that make the experience a good preparation for studying science at university or further education.
The course consists of three units and a research assignment. Each unit is assessed at unit level by a short minimum competency test that must be passed. The units are as follows;
- Cells and Proteins
- Organisms and Evolution
- Investigative Biology
CHEMISTRY
Glen Urquhart High School’s Chemistry qualifications cover a variety of contexts relevant to chemistry’s impact on the environment and society through the chemistry of the Earth’s resources, the chemistry of everyday products and environmental analysis.
National 4/5
The National 4/5 Chemistry Course enables learners to develop and apply knowledge and understanding of chemistry. Learners also develop an understanding of chemistry’s role in scientific issues and relevant applications of chemistry, including the impact these could make in society and the environment.
The course is comprised of 3 units:
- Unit 1: Chemical Changes and Structure
- Unit 2: Nature’s Chemistry
- Unit 3: Chemistry in Society
How will the course be assessed?
The National 4 course is internally assessed and will include a research project as part of the final assessment.
The National 5 course is assessed by a mixture of internal assessment and a final external exam in May.
Higher
The Higher Chemistry Course develops learners’ curiosity, interest and enthusiasm for chemistry in a range of contexts. The skills of scientific inquiry and investigation are developed throughout the Course, and the relevance of chemistry is highlighted by the study of the applications of chemistry in everyday contexts.
The course is comprised of 3 units:
- Unit 1: Chemical Changes and Structure
- Unit 2: Nature’s Chemistry
- Unit 3: Chemistry in Society
How will the course be assessed?
The Higher course is assessed by a mixture of internal assessment and a final external exam in May.
Advanced Higher
The Advanced Higher Chemistry Course develops learners’ knowledge and understanding of the physical and natural environments beyond Higher level.
The Course builds on Higher Chemistry, continuing to develop the underlying theories of chemistry and the practical skills used in the chemistry laboratory. Learners develop the skills of independent study and thought that are essential in a wide range of occupations.
The course is comprised of 3 units:
- Unit 1: Inorganic and Physical Chemistry
- Unit 2: Organic Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis
- Unit 3: Researching Chemistry
How will the course be assessed?
The Advanced Higher course is assessed by a mixture of internal assessment and a final external exam in May.
PHYSICS
National 4/5 Physics
National 4 and 5 Physics is split into 3 units that builds on Knowledge gained from S1-3:
- Dynamics and Space: This unit covers how we actually make different types of measurements such as vectors and scalars, velocity and acceleration, Newton’s laws, projectile motions, space travel and observations and cosmology.
- Electricity and Energy: This looks further at fossil fuels and renewable energies, the generation and distribution of electricity to society, the construction of different types of electrical circuits to carry out simple and complex tasks, heat, pressure and how gas particles around us behave in everyday situations.
- Waves and radiation: This unit develops understanding of wave characteristics and behaviours, how we use the electromagnetic spectrum and light through refraction and reflections, nuclear radiation and nuclear reactions and how the world around us has been affected through use of nuclear reactions.
How will the course be assessed?:
The National 4 course is internally assessed and will include a research project as part of the final assessment.
The National 5 course is assessed by a mixture of internal assessment and a final external exam in May.
Higher Physics
Higher Physics offers a broad and up-to-date selection of concepts and ideas that build on National 5 and are very topical within our society. Learners develop a deeper understanding of key topics within physics –
Dynamics, space, electricity; fundamental particles and waves — and the scale of topics ranges from looking at the fundamental particles that make up everything through to the universe as a whole. Pupils develop scientific inquiry and investigative skills, scientific analytical thinking and evaluation skills, and the ability to understand and use scientific literacy to communicate ideas and issues. The course consists of three units and a research assignment. Each unit is assessed at unit level by a short minimum competency test that must be passed. The units are as follows;
- Our Dynamic Universe: This unit looks further at vectors and scalars, velocity and acceleration, Newton’s laws, projectile motions, space travel and observations and cosmology as well as developing new ideas and problem solving skills through studying topics such as special relativity and gravitation.
- Electricity: This builds on the ideas from s4 that show practical applications of physics in the multibillion pound electrical and semiconductor industry through looking at ac and dc electronics, semiconductors, capacitance and a more complex circuit problems.
- Waves and particles: This unit dives into the news grabbing stories of modern day physics looking at what matter actually is in the standard model, looking at the difference between waves and particles, and observing how light can make particles behave strangely through the photoelectric effect as well as looking further at the effects of nuclear physics on society and the implications of Einstein’s famous E=mc2 equation and what it means for us.
- Researching Physics Unit.
The research assignment forms part of the final assessment grade it is written under exam conditions and assessed by the SQA. The rest of the grade is made up by the exam in May.
Higher physics is suitable for pupils who have gained a pass at National 5. Those with A and B grades are likely to complete the higher over one year whilst C grades will benefit from a two year pathway.
