Senior Phase - National 4/National 5

 

There are a number of learning pathways students can take during their senior phase based on their personal interests and requirements for further education.

 

National 4/National 5

 

In fourth year students can opt to achieve at either National 4 or National 5 level. The course covers all of the major areas of biology and allows students to develop a deeper understanding of the underlying themes of biology: evolution and adaptation, structure and function, inheritance, life processes of living organisms, and interactions between organisms and their environment.

 

National 4/National 5 biology is studied over one year and explores the following three units

 

1. Biology: Life on Earth

2. Cell Biology.

3. Multicellular Organisms

 

National 4 develops key knowledge and skills required to progress to National 5 level in fifth year or sixth year. At National 4, students will need to pass three unit assessments, write a scientific report and complete an assignment on a biological topic, all of which is internally assessed.  On successful completion of the course students can progress to National 5 Biology

 

National 5 students will need to pass three unit assessments, write a scientific report and pass an external element. The external element is split into two sections: a written scientific assignment and an external exam at the end of the year. It is recommended that an A/B pass is achieved in the external element to allow progress to Higher level in fifth year.

 

More information on the course structure can be found on the SQA website.