Faculty:
Science
Course Title:
Physics
Level(s)
Entry requirements:
Intended Audience:
Number of Units:
Added Value Unit?
Descriptor:
Nat 4 / 5
National 3 or 4 Physics as appropriate.
S5/6
3
Yes for National 4
This course will enable learners to develop ability in describing and
interpreting physical phenomena and will practice scientific
methods of investigation form which general relationships are
derived and explored.
COMPONENT 1 – QUESTION
COMPONENT 2 – ASSIGNMENT
PAPER
The purpose of the assignment is
This will have two sections;
to allow the learner to carry out
Section 1, titled ‘Objective Test’, an in-depth study of a physics
will have 20 marks.
topic.
Section 2, titled ‘Paper 2’, will
The assignment will have 20
have 60 marks.
marks (20% of the total marks).
The National 4 course assessment is comprised of 3 end of unit
assessments and other associated tasks. The course is internally
assessed and externally verified. The course has an added value
unit.
Exam at end of Course:
(National 5)
Assessment of Course:
(National 4)
Expectations for
homework;
Skills coverage:
Any other information
about the course or units
or the type of work that
will be covered?
One homework task per week – at least.
 Planning and organising
 Literacy across learning
 Problem solving
 Numeracy across learning
 Customer handling
 Thinking skills across learning
 Team working
 Health and wellbeing across
 Other technical and practical
learning
 Oral communication
 Personal learning planning
 Written communication
and career management
 Strategic management
 Working with others
 Computer literacy / using IT
 Leadership
 Additional IT or software
 Physical coordination and
 Literacy
movement
 Using numbers
 Enterprise and employability
UNITS
ELECTRICITY AND ENERGY
The Unit covers the key areas of energy transfer, heat and the gas
laws.
WAVES AND RADIATION
The Unit covers the key areas of waves and nuclear radiation.
DYNAMICS AND SPACE
The Unit covers the key areas of kinematics, forces and space.
Through each of the units above, learners will research issues, apply
scientific skills and communicate information related to their
findings, which will develop skills of scientific literacy.
Faculty:
Science
Course Title:
Physics
Level(s)
Entry requirements:
Intended Audience:
Descriptor:
CfE Higher
N5
S5/6
This course will enable learners to develop a deeper understanding
of Physics concepts and the ability to describe and interpret
physical phenomena using mathematical skills. They will develop
scientific methods of research in which issues in Physics are explored
and conclusions drawn.
COMPONENT 1 – QUESTION
COMPONENT 2 – ASSIGNMENT
PAPER
The purpose of the assignment is
This will have two sections;
to allow the learner to carry out
Section 1, titled ‘Objective Test’, an in-depth study of a Physics
will have 20 marks.
topic.
Section 2, titled ‘Paper 2’, will
The assignment will have 20
have 80 marks.
marks (17% of the total marks).
Exam at end of Course:
Expectations for
homework;
Skills coverage:
Any other information
about the course or units
or the type of work that
will be covered?
One homework task per week – at least.
 Planning and organising
 Problem solving
 Customer handling
 Team working
 Other technical and practical
 Oral communication
 Written communication
 Strategic management
 Computer literacy / using IT
 Additional IT or software
 Literacy
 Using numbers
UNITS









Literacy across learning
Numeracy across learning
Thinking skills across learning
Health and wellbeing across
learning
Personal learning planning
and career management
Working with others
Leadership
Physical coordination and
movement
Enterprise and employability
OUR DYNAMIC UNIVERSE
The Unit covers the key areas of kinematics, dynamics and spacetime.
PARTICLES AND WAVES
The Unit covers the key areas of particles and waves.
ELECTRICITY
The Unit covers the key areas of electricity, and electrical storage
and transfer.
RESEARCHING PHYSICS
Learners will collect and synthesize information from different
sources, plan and undertake a practical investigation, analyse
results and communicate information related to their findings.
Faculty:
Science
Course Title:
Level(s)
Entry requirements:
Intended Audience:
Descriptor:
Exam at end of Course:
Expectations for homework;
Skills coverage:
Any other information
about the course or units or
the type of work that will be
covered?
Chemistry
CfE Higher
National 5 Chemistry
S5/6
This course develops scientific understanding issues relating to chemistry,
and uses the development of chemical theory to build an extensive set of
skills for learners. Through application of a detailed knowledge and
understanding of chemical concepts, in practical situations, learners
develop an appreciation of the impact of chemistry on their everyday
lives.
COMPONENT 1 – QUESTION PAPER
COMPONENT 2 – ASSIGNMENT
This will have two sections;
The purpose of the assignment is to
Section 1, titled ‘Objective Test’, will allow the learner to carry out an inhave 20 marks.
depth study of a chemistry topic.
Section 2, titled ‘Paper 2’, will have
They are all practical assignments.
80 marks.
The assignment will have 20 marks
(of the total marks).
One homework task per week – at least.
 Planning and organising
 Literacy across learning
 Problem solving
 Numeracy across learning
 Customer handling
 Thinking skills across learning
 Team working
 Health and wellbeing across
 Other technical and practical
learning
 Oral communication
 Personal learning planning
 Written communication
and career management
 Strategic management
 Working with others
 Computer literacy / using IT
 Leadership
 Additional IT or software
 Physical coordination and
 Literacy
movement
 Using numbers
 Enterprise and employability
UNITS
1. CHEMICAL CHANGES AND STRUCTURE
This Unit covers the knowledge and understanding of controlling reaction
rates and periodic trends.
2. NATURES CHEMISTRY
This Unit covers the chemistry of carbon compounds found in food and
drinks and skin care products. This Unit covers the knowledge and
understanding of organic chemistry within the context of the chemistry of
food and the chemistry of everyday consumer products, soaps,
detergents, fragrances and skincare.
3. CHEMISTRY IN SOCIETY
This unit covers the chemistry behind making new products which benefit
society and the environment impact of global chemical industry.
4.RESEARCHING
Learners will collect and synthesize information from different sources, plan
and undertake a practical investigation, analyse results and communicate
information related to their findings.
Faculty:
Science
Course Title:
Chemistry
Level(s)
Entry requirements:
Intended Audience:
Number of Units:
Descriptor:
National 4 or 5
National 3 or 4 Chemistry as Appropriate.
S5/6
3
The course develops learners’ interest in and enthusiasm for
chemistry and covers a variety of context relevant to chemistry’s
impact on society, namely: the chemistry of resources from the
earth, redox reactions, the chemistry of plastics and new materials
and environmental analysis.
COMPONENT 1 – QUESTION
COMPONENT 2 – ASSIGNMENT
PAPER
The purpose of the assignment is
This will have two sections;
to allow the learner to carry out
Section 1, titled ‘Objective Test’, an in-depth study of a chemistry
will have 20 marks.
topic.
Section 2, titled ‘Paper 2’, will
The assignment will have 20
have 60 marks.
marks (20% of the total marks).
Exam at end of Course:
(National 5)
Expectations for
homework;
Skills coverage:
Any other information
about the course or units
or the type of work that
will be covered?
One homework task per week – at least.
 Planning and organising
 Problem solving
 Customer handling
 Team working
 Other technical and practical
 Oral communication
 Written communication
 Strategic management
 Computer literacy / using IT
 Additional IT or software
 Literacy
 Using numbers
UNITS









Literacy across learning
Numeracy across learning
Thinking skills across learning
Health and wellbeing across
learning
Personal learning planning
and career management
Working with others
Leadership
Physical coordination and
movement
Enterprise and employability
CHEMICAL CHANGES AND STRUCTURE
Through practical experience, learners will investigate average
rates of reaction and the chemistry of neutralisation reactions.
NATURE’S CHEMISTRY
In this Unit, learners will investigate the physical and chemical
properties of cycloalkanes, branched chain alkanes and alkenes,
and straight chain alcohols and carboxylic acids.
CHEMISTRY IN SOCIETY
Learners will focus on the chemistry of metals and their bonding,
reactions and uses. Look also at environmental impacts of certain
chemical reactions and investigate areas of nuclear chemistry.
Faculty:
Science
Course Title:
Human Biology
Level(s)
Entry requirements:
Intended Audience:
Number of Units:
Descriptor:
CfE Higher
National 5 Biology
S5/6
4
The course allows learners to develop deeper understanding of the
underlying themes specifically Human Physiology, Immunity and
Biochemistry.
COMPONENT 1 – QUESTION
COMPONENT 2 – ASSIGNMENT
PAPER
The purpose of the assignment is
This will have two sections;
to allow the learner to carry out
Section 1, titled ‘Objective Test’, an in-depth study of a biology
will have 20 marks.
topic.
Section 2, titled ‘Paper 2’, will
The assignment will have 20
have 80 marks.
marks (17% of the total marks).
Exam at end of Course:
Expectations for
homework;
Skills coverage:
Any other information
about the course or units
or the type of work that
will be covered?
Regular homework will be provided throughout the year.
 Planning and organising
 Problem solving
 Customer handling
 Team working
 Other technical and practical
 Oral communication
 Written communication
 Strategic management
 Computer literacy / using IT
 Additional IT or software
 Literacy
 Using numbers
UNITS









Literacy across learning
Numeracy across learning
Thinking skills across learning
Health and wellbeing across
learning
Personal learning planning
and career management
Working with others
Leadership
Physical coordination and
movement
Enterprise and employability
HUMAN CELLS
The study of cell division and differentiation. The structure and
function of DNA and cell metabolism.
PHYSIOLOGY AND HEALTH
The study and reproduction including hormone control and
treatment of infertility. The cardiovascular system and disease.
NEUROBIOLOGY and COMMUNICATION
The study of the nervous system communication and social
behaviour.
IMMUNOLOGY AND PUBLIC HEALTH
The study of the immune system and its activity and the control of
infectious diseases and evasion of immune responses by pathology.
Faculty:
Science
Course Title:
Biology
Level(s)
Entry requirements:
Intended Audience:
Number of Units:
Descriptor:
National 4 or 5
National 3 or 4 Biology as appropriate
S5/6
3
The course will be of interest and value to learners wishing to
develop skills, knowledge and understanding of biology. The
Course is a broad and up-to-date selection of concepts and ideas
relevant to the central position of life and science within our society.
COMPONENT 1 – QUESTION
COMPONENT 2 – ASSIGNMENT
PAPER
The purpose of the assignment is
This will have two sections;
to allow the learner to carry out
Section 1, titled ‘Objective Test’, an in-depth study of a biology
will have 20 marks.
topic.
Section 2, titled ‘Paper 2’, will
The assignment will have 20
have 60 marks.
marks (20% of the total marks).
The National 4 Course assessment is comprised of Unit assessments
and other associated tasks. The Course is internally assessed and
externally verified. The course has an added value Unit.
Exam at end of Course:
(National 5 Only)
Exam at end of Course:
(National 4 Only)
Expectations for
homework;
Skills coverage:
Any other information
about the course or units
or the type of work that
will be covered?
One homework task per week – at least.
 Planning and organising
 Problem solving
 Customer handling
 Team working
 Other technical and practical
 Oral communication
 Written communication
 Strategic management
 Computer literacy / using IT
 Additional IT or software
 Literacy
 Using numbers
UNITS









Literacy across learning
Numeracy across learning
Thinking skills across learning
Health and wellbeing across
learning
Personal learning planning
and career management
Working with others
Leadership
Physical coordination and
movement
Enterprise and employability
CELL BIOLOGY
Cell Biology covers a number of areas including ultrastructure
photosynthesis and respiration.
MULTICELLULAR ORGANISMS
The focus on cellular level processes will lead to an understanding
of the importance and roles of the cell. By comparing the
processes in multicellular plants and animals, learners investigate
increasing levels of complexity.
LIFE ON EARTH
In Life on Earth, the concepts of biodiversity and interdependence
are covered, along with the processes leading to evolution as well
as food security and ethical issues.