Progressing into the Senior Phase (S4-S6)

Making Your Choices!

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  Which SQA national qualifications you need and whether or not you need them all in ‘one-sitting’?
  
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  The specific skills which you may require?
  
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  Whether you need accredited hours of volunteering in order to apply?
  
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  If it is essential that you have relevant work experience?
  

Administration and IT National 4, 5 and Higher

The national 4 and 5 courses will build on the broad general education offered in S1-S3 and will progress to Higher level.

Administration is a growing sector which cuts across the entire economy and offers wide-ranging employment opportunities. Moreover, administrative and IT skills have extensive application not only in employment but also in other walks of life.

Aims of the course

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There will be a significant practical component in this course, which involves experiential learning, encouraging the integration of skills, knowledge and understanding through practical activities. Its use of real-life contexts makes it relevant to the world of work and its uniqueness lies in enabling learners to work towards industry standard in IT in an administration-related context. Pupils will develop a range of skills;, including the ability to use the following IT applications: word processing, spreadsheets, databases, presentations and desktop publishing; the ability to use technology, including the internet, for electronic communication and investigation; and the ability to organise, manage and communicate information.

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dministrative Practices

This Unit will give pupils a broad introduction to administration in the workplace. They will develop an understanding of key legislation affecting both organisations and employees, the benefits to organisations of good customer care and the skills, qualities and attributes required of administrators. They will be able to apply this understanding in carrying out a range of administrative tasks required for organising and supporting events.

This unit will develop skills in IT, problem solving and organising and managing information in largely familiar administration-related contexts. Pupils will select the following IT applications — word processing, spreadsheets, databases — and use them to create and edit business documents. The Unit will allow emerging technologies to be incorporated so as to ensure that its content remains current and relevant.

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ommunication in Administration

This unit will prepare pupils to use IT for gathering and sharing information with others in largely familiar administration-related contexts. They will develop an understanding of what constitutes a reliable source of information and an ability to identify and use the most appropriate methods for gathering information. They will also be able to communicate information in ways appropriate to its context, audience and purpose. The Unit will allow emerging technologies to be incorporated so as to ensure that its content remains current and relevant.

Art and Design

Progression to National 4/5 courses in the Senior school phase builds on this prior knowledge and gives participants an opportunity to work in a creative environment which encompasses the CfE principles. Broad generic skills are also built into the course drawn from

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  Literacy Health & Wellbeing and Thinking Skills.
  

The combined elements of this course are designed to extend the student’s ability to full potential.

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  Each folio is based around research and investigation of a particular artist, designer or art movement or style. This knowledge then influences and informs the candidate’s subsequent practical folio which is monitored internally and subsequently sent for external assessment.
  

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  Knowledge and understanding of the working practise and cultural and historical influence of artists and designers is examined in a 1 hour written paper.
  

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  Design Folio ~ 40 hours
  
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  Expressive Folio ~ 40 hours
  
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  Art & Design Studies ~ 2 blocks of 20 hours.
  

Pupils can choose to specialise in Design or Expressive for their course.

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  Design or Expressive Studies ~ 80 hours
  
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  Design or Expressive Enquiry ~ 40 hours.
  

Biology

All of the plants and animals on the planet depend on each other for survival. In this unit we will look at these relationships and the factors which influence where specific plants and animals live by sampling organisms in the local environment. We will also look at the roles these organisms play in these areas and how they have adapted to do so

We will look at how energy gets into the food chain through the process of photosynthesis and how this energy moves is passed between organisms. We will also look at how food is produced on a global scale and the nutrients required for its growth.

Animals and plants have all adapted to live in certain environments. You will learn about the interactions between these organisms and how humans have managed a range of environments. In addition you will discover ways in which you can monitor a specific environment.

Different organisms reproduce in different ways. In this topic you will learn about the benefits of each type of reproduction. You will also learn about how genetic information is passed between generations and how this affects our features such eye and hair colour.

All living things are made up of cells. You will learn about the many different types of cells and how they are perfectly suited to do specific jobs in your body. You will also learn the tissues and organs which allow us to stay alive.

As part of this unit you will learn more about the human body and how all of the parts work together to ensure that we can survive. You will also look at how your body copes with changes in the environment but manages to keep things like your temperature the same regardless of the external conditions.

Cell Biology

This topic will look at the wide variety of cells and using microscopes and other practical activities you will look at the internal structure of cells. You will also learn more about how cells can be used to treat some medical conditions.

For cells to survive they must allow certain substances such as water and oxygen to pass in and out. This topic will look at the processes which allow this to take place.

You will also look at the structure of DNA and how it carries genetic information from generation to generation. You will learn about genetic medical conditions and how modern genetics is used in a wide variety of medical applications.

The National 4 the course will be internally assessed through the assessment of each unit. You will also be assessed on an added value unit where you will carry out a project and will be given a test at the end. Through this added value unit you will be able to demonstrate the breadth of knowledge and skills you have acquired from across all the other units.

At National 5 the course will be externally assessed. The units completed as part of the course will also be assessed to check your level of understanding of each unit.

If you are successful at achieving a National 4 qualification in Biology you can progress to any of the sciences at National 5 level.

Those successful in achieving a National 5 qualification in Biology can progress to Higher Biology.

Biology qualifications can be used in a wide variety of careers such as:

Medicine Dentistry Animal Care Physiotherapy Nursing

Research Agriculture Biotechnology Conservation Ecology

Genetics Veterinary Aquaculture and many more!

Higher

Course Description

The course provides a broad based study of biological topics which builds on the concepts developed in National 5. The three units are: DNA and the Genome, Metabolism and Survival, and Sustainability and Interdependence. Opportunities are provided to gain knowledge of biological facts and ideas as well as to develop problem solving and practical skills. The relevance of recent advances in genetics, environmental biology, etc is examined and students are encouraged to develop an open-minded approach. As with National 5, language skills are important both for the completion of practical reports and for the short essay questions which are part of the course assessments.

The course consists of two 40-hour units - Cell & Molecular Biology and Environmental Biology, and one 20-hour unit - Animal Behaviour. Each of these is assessed by an end of topic NAB and the external exam.

A further 25 hours is allocated to devising and carrying out a short individual investigation. This helps to develop planning and research skills which will be of use in any future university or college course.

 

Careers Information