What is the Scientific Technologies course?
NPA Scientific Technologies is an SQA Group Award at Level 6 which incorporates Chemical knowledge, numeracy skills related to Science, Laboratory safety and Practical skills. The award allows pupils to become competent to work in science based departments within a broad range of companies including food companies, the whisky industry and the oil industry.
This course is for pupils who have done National 5 Chemistry and Maths and one other Science. It is best suited to those doing Higher or Advanced Higher Chemistry with an additional Science.
What skills are developed?
- Practical related
(planning, observing, recording, concluding and evaluating)
- Problem solving Practical
- Explaining and understanding things
- Logical thinking
- Numerical manipulation
- Communication (numerical, written and graphical)
- Motivation and taking the lead
What kind of person does it take?
- Ability to apply both practical and theoretical knowledge
- Desire to solve problems
- Good at planning and thinking ahead
- Sets targets and work towards them
- Ability to break big problems into smaller tasks
- Ability to persevere and continually repeat work to ensure it is correct
Horizons – where can this subject take you?
A career in practical science is interesting and diverse. It can cover a multitude of different disciplines. It involves continuous learning with modern advances and new discoveries. It often involves working in multi-disciplinary, multi-cultural, multi-site teams
Career options are huge but include:
Agrochemical, Food science, Biofuels, Petroleum, Pharmaceuticals, Cosmetics, Environmental, Forensics, Brewing, Quality control.
Pathways – how can I make progression?
College
Many diverse courses on offer at Moray College
Link to Moray College: https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/hnc-applied-sciences/
Employment
Opportunities with local employers like Diageo, Baxters
University
Provides a pathway to a Foundation or Modern Apprenticeship.
https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/hnc-applied-sciences/
Related subjects Scientific Technologies works well with:
Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Environmental Science, Maths, Home Economics
