This course contains 3 units:
- DNA and the Genome
- Metabolism and Survival
- Sustainability and Interdependence
Each unit will be assessed continually in class, through the use of past paper based homework and an A-D level class test and SQA assessment.
The Higher Biology course offers a broad and up-to-date selection of concepts and ideas 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. Learners 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 elements of the Course are Knowledge and Understanding, Analytical Thinking Skills and Scientific Literacy.
The following links will direct you to useful information for the Higher Biology course:
Higher Biology Course Specification
Higher Biology Coursework Assessment Task
SQA publishes samples of coursework and question paper responses with commentaries to fully understand examiner expectation for assignment and question papers.
Understanding Standards resources:
Understanding Standards Materials
Past Papers:
To help with revision click on the links below to open the past papers. These can also be found, with marking schemes on the SQA website.
Higher Biology Specimen Paper 1
Higher Biology Specimen Paper 2