COURSE

The aim of the National 4 and 5 courses is to develop pupils’ knowledge and understanding of Geography about people, how we live in, adapt to and change our planet.  It is the science of the environment, related to people.  Geography is part social science and part physical science.

CONTENT
The course is divided into three units:

Unit 1     Physical Environment

This involves the study of:

• Different landscapes in Britain, how people live in them and develop them and the conflicts and management issues arising as a result.
• Glaciated upland areas and coastal scenery are studied.
• Ordnance Survey map skills.
• Geographical fieldwork skills are further developed during an excursion to Loch Lomond in May.
• Weather systems that affect the UK and the impacts of climate change.

Unit 2     Human Environments

Students study:

• Global population issues and their impacts on development.
• Economic development in relation to cities and countryside.
• Case studies of urban and rural life are studied for more developed and less developed countries.
• These skills are developed during an excursion to Glasgow.

Unit 3    Global Issues

Pupils will study a topic on world health and a topic on environmental hazards.

The health unit examines:

• Factors affecting health issues in different parts of the world.
• Detailed case studies of heart disease, AIDS and malaria are included along with studies of other mortality factors.

The hazards unit examines:

• Causes, key features and impacts of earthquakes, volcanoes and tropical storms.
• Preparing for natural disasters and methods of reducing their impacts.
• Detailed case studies of Mount Saint Helens, 2011 Japan or Haiti earthquake and Hurricane Katrina.

HOW WILL IT BE ASSESSED?

At the end of each unit, candidates sit an internal assessment. At the end of the course they sit an external examination set by the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

• Pupils will sit an added value unit in S4. This will be a project relating to river fieldwork. It will be assessed externally.

The overall grade awarded is determined by the performance in the final examination and the added value unit.

CAREERS/PROGRESSION Studying Geography can provide relevant and essential skills for a variety of different careers such as:

Archaeologist                          Environmental Agencies
Engineer                                  Geologist
Landscape Architect              Meteorologist
Nature Conservationist         Surveyor
Teacher                                     Tourism
Planning Work                        Civil Service