Assessment for National 4
To achieve the Biology National 4 award, learners must pass all of the required Units, including the Added Value Unit. National 4 courses will be internally assessed by teachers and graded as pass/fail.
The Course has four mandatory Units including an added value unit at National 4.
Biology: Cell Biology
In this Unit, learners will develop knowledge and skills and carry out practical and other learning activities related to study and investigation of the cell. This will include cell structure and processes within cells, such as transport, photosynthesis and respiration, as well as DNA, protein and biotechnology.
Biology: Multicellular Organisms
In this Unit, learners will develop knowledge, skills and carry out practical and other learning activities related to study and investigation of whole organisms. This will include a comparative approach to the study of plants and animals, through areas such as reproduction and inheritance, the need for transport within organisms, digestion and associated enzymes, control and communication, and health.
Biology: Life on Earth
In this Unit, learners will develop knowledge and skills and carry out practical and other learning activities related to the study and investigation of life on Earth. This will include world ecosystems, evolution, natural selection and competition, behaviour, biodiversity, decay, recycling, microorganisms, and ethical issues.
Added Value Unit (AVU)
The National 4 Biology course includes an AVU which is usually and extended piece of writing based on internet research of a students choice of an area within the course.
Conditions of award
To achieve the N4 Biology award, learners must pass all of the required Units, including the Added Value Unit at National 4 level and complete an LO1 (experimental write up task).
Further details of units and course content can be obtained from
www.sqa.org.uk/curriculumforexcellence.
Progression
Passing National 4 Biology may provide progression to National 5 subjects within the Science faculty.
