National 5 Chemistry is made up of 3 units detailed below.

Unit 1 – Chemical changes and Structure 

• Rates of Reaction 

• Atomic Structure, Chemical bonding and their properties 

• Formulae and reacting quantities 

• Acids and Bases 

Unit 2 – Natures Chemistry 

• Energy from fuels 

• Homologous Series 

• Everyday consumer Products 

Unit 3 – Chemistry in Society 

• Plastics 

• Fertilisers 

• Metals 

• Nuclear Chemistry 

• Chemical Analysis 

Course details can be found here - https://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/N5CourseSpecChemistry.pdf

Assessment

Throughout  the year pupils will sit A/B level assessments for each unit at National 4 and 5 level. Then they will have an extended assessment during Assessment fortnight. 

• Unit 1 assessment 

• Unit 2 Assessment 

• Assessment Fortnight Assessment (Unit 1, Unit 2 and Metals) 

• Unit 3 Assessment 

They will also complete an assignment which is an SQA assessed piece of coursework. This is completed in class time during January and sent to the SQA. This makes up 20% of their final grade.

Finally they sit the exam which is made up of 25 multiple choice questions and 75 marks worth of written questions. This accounts for 80% of their final grade.

Resources
https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-chemistry-65y2eacl3go9crx1

Higher Chemistry is made up of 4 units detailed below.

Unit 1 – Chemical changes and Structure 

• Trends in the Periodic Table

• Bonding and Structure 

• Oxidising and Reducing Agents 

Unit 2 – Natures Chemistry 

• Systematic carbon Chemistry

• Alcohols 

• Carboxylic Acids 

• Esters, Fats and Oils 

• Soaps, detergents and emulsions

• Proteins

• Oxidation of food

• Fragrances

• Skin Care

Unit 3 – Chemistry in Society 

• Getting the most from reactants

• Controlling the rate

• Chemical Energy 

• Equilibria 

• Chemical Analysis

• Nuclear Chemistry 

• Chemical Analysis 

Unit 4 - Researching Chemistry 

• Common Chemical Apparatus

• General practical techniques

• Reporting Experimental work 

Course details can be found here - https://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/HigherCourseSpecChemistry.pdf

Assessment

Throughout  the year pupils will sit 3 A/B level assessments. Then they will have an extended assessment during Assessment fortnight. 

• Unit 1 assessment 

• Assessment Fortnight Assessment (Unit 1, Un 4,  getting the most from reactants, controlling the rate, Chemical energy) 

• Unit 2 Assessment 

• Unit 3 Assessment 

They will also complete an assignment which is an SQA assessed piece of coursework. This is completed in class time during January and sent to the SQA. This makes up 20% of their final grade.

Finally they sit two papers for their final exam. A multiple choice paper made up of 25 marks, then a written section paper made up of 95 marks. This accounts for 80% of their final grade.

Resources 

https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-chemistry-65y2eacl3go9crx1

Advanced Higher Chemistry is made up of 4 units detailed below.

Unit 1 – Inorganic Chemistry

• Electromagnetic radiation and atomic spectra

• Atomic orbitals, electronic configurations and the periodic table 

• Transition metals 

Unit 2 – Physical Chemistry

• Chemical equilibrium 

• Reaction Feasibility

• Kinetics

Unit 3 – Organic Chemistry and instrumental analysis 

• Molecular Orbitals 

• Synthesis

• Stereo Chemistry

• Experimental determination of structure 

• Pharmaceutical chemistry

Unit 4 - Researching Chemistry 

• Common Chemical Apparatus

• Skills involved in experimental work 

• Stoichiometric calculations

• Gravimetric analysis 

• Volumetric Analysis 

• practical skills and techniques

Course details can be found here - https://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/AHChemistryCourseSpec.pdf

Assessment

Throughout  the year pupils will sit 3 A/B level assessments. Then they will have an extended assessment during Assessment fortnight. 

• Unit 1 assessment 

• Assessment Fortnight Assessment (Unit 1, Un 4,  getting the most from reactants, controlling the rate, Chemical energy) 

• Unit 2 Assessment 

• Unit 3 Assessment 

They will also complete a project

Resources 

https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-chemistry-65y2eacl3go9crx1

1. Cosmetic Chemistry 

2. Microbiology 

3. Electronics & Optometry

4. Topical Science

S1 

B1 - Ecology 

B2 - Cells and Microbes 

C1 - atoms and the Periodic Table 

C2 - Acids, Bases and our environment 

P1 - Electricity and Magnetism 

P2 - Exploring the Solar System 

S2 

B3 - The Human Body

B4 - DNA & Inheritance

C3 - Chemistry of the Earth 

C4 - Forensic Chemistry 

P3 - Engineering

P4 - Firrhill Grand Prix

Pupils rotate round these topics throughout the year so every class will have a different order of topics but they will all complete all 6 by end of the year.

National 5 Biology is made up of 3 units detailed below.

Unit 1 – Cell Biology 

• Cell Structure

• transport across cell membranes 

• DNA nad the production of proteins 

• Proteins

• Genetic engineering 

• Respiration 

Unit 2 – Multicellular Organisms

• Producing new cells 

• Control and Communication 

• Reproduction

• Variation and Inheritance

• transport Systems - Plants 

• Transport Systems - Animals 

• Absorption of materials 

Unit 3 – Life on Earth 

• Ecosystems

• Distribution of organisms

• Photosynthesis

• Energy in ecosystem

• Food Production 

• Evolution of species

Course details can be found here - https://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/n5-course-spec-biology.pdf

Assessment

Throughout  the year pupils will sit A/B level assessments for each unit at National 4 and 5 level. Then they will have an extended assessment during Assessment fortnight. 

• Unit 1 assessment 

• Assessment Fortnight Assessment 

• Unit 2 Assessment 

• Unit 3 Assessment 

They will also complete an assignment which is an SQA assessed piece of coursework. This is completed in class time during January and sent to the SQA. This makes up 20% of their final grade.

Finally they sit the exam which is made up of 25 multiple choice questions and 75 marks worth of written questions. This accounts for 80% of their final grade.

Resources
https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-biology-85c52epafoe7m7q5

Higher Biology is made up of 3 units detailed below.

Unit 1 – DNA and he genomes

• The structure of DNA

• Replication of DNA

• Gene expression

• Cellular differentiation

• The structure of the genome

• Mutations

• Evolution

• Genomic sequencing

Unit 2 – Metabolism and survival

• Metabolic pathways

• Cellular respiration

• Metabolic rate

• Metabolism in conformer and regulators

• Metabolism and adverse conditions

• Environmental control of metabolism

• Genetic control of metabolism

Unit 3 – Sustainability and interdependence

• Food supply, plant growth and productivity

• Plant and animal breeding

• Crop protection

• Animal welfare

• Symbiosis

• Social Behaviour

• Components of biodiversity

• Threats to biodiversity

  
  

Course details can be found here - https://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/h-course-spec-biology.pdf

Assessment

Throughout  the year pupils will sit A/B level assessments for each unit at Higher level. Then they will have an extended assessment during Assessment fortnight. 

• Unit 1 assessment 

• Assessment Fortnight Assessment 

• Unit 2 Assessment 

• Unit 3 Assessment 

They will also complete an assignment which is an SQA assessed piece of coursework. This is completed in class time during January and sent to the SQA. This makes up 20% of their final grade.

Finally they sit the exam which is made up of 25 multiple choice questions and 95 marks worth of written questions. This accounts for 80% of their final grade.

Resources
https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-biology-85c52epafoe7m7q5

Higher Human Biology is made up of 3 units detailed below.

Unit 1 – Human cells

• division and differentiation in human cells

• structure and replication of DNA

• gene expression

• mutations

• human genomics

• metabolic pathways

• cellular respiration

• energy systems in muscle cells

Unit 2 - Physiology and health

• gamete production and fertilisation

• hormonal control of reproduction

• the biology of controlling fertility

• antenatal and postnatal screening

• the structure and function of arteries, capillaries and veins

• the structure and function of the heart

• pathology of cardiovascular disease (CVD)

• blood glucose levels and obesity

  
  

Unit 3 - Neurobiology and immunology

• divisions of the nervous system and neural pathways

• the cerebral cortex

• memory

• the cells of the nervous system and neurotransmitters at synapses

• non-specific body defences

• specific cellular defences against pathogens

• immunisation

• clinical trials of vaccines and drugs

  
  

  
  

  Course details can be found here - https://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/h-course-spec-human-biology.pdf

Assessment

Throughout  the year pupils will sit A/B level assessments for each unit at Higher level. Then they will have an extended assessment during Assessment fortnight. 

• Unit 1 assessment 

• Assessment Fortnight Assessment 

• Unit 2 Assessment 

• Unit 3 Assessment 

They will also complete an assignment which is an SQA assessed piece of coursework. This is completed in class time during January and sent to the SQA. This makes up 20% of their final grade.

Finally they sit the exam which is made up of 25 multiple choice questions and 95 marks worth of written questions. This accounts for 80% of their final grade.

Resources
https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-biology-85c52epafoe7m7q5

Advanced Higher Biology is made up of 3 units detailed below.

Unit 1 – Cells and proteins

• laboratory techniques for biologists

• proteins

• membrane proteins

• communication and signalling

• protein control of cell division

  
  

Unit 2 - Organisms and evolution

• field techniques for biologists

• evolution

• variation and sexual reproduction

• sex and behaviour

• parasitism

  
  

Unit 3 - Investigative biology

• scientific principles and process

• experimentation

• reporting and critical evaluation of biological research

  
  

  
  

  Course details can be found here - https://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/ah-course-spec-biology.pdf

  
  

Assessment

Throughout  the year pupils will sit A/B level assessments for each unit at Higher level. Then they will have an extended assessment during Assessment fortnight. 

• Unit 1 assessment 

• Assessment Fortnight Assessment 

• Unit 2 Assessment 

• Unit 3 Assessment 

They will also complete a project which is an SQA assessed piece of coursework. This is completed in class time during at the start of the academic year and sent to the SQA. This makes up 25% of their final grade.

Finally they sit the exam which is made up of 100 marks (20 MC and 80 written questions). This accounts for 75% of their final grade.

Resources
https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-biology-85c52epafoe7m7q5

The Engineering Science course at Firrhill is split up into eight different units.

·         Systems

·         Energy and efficiency 

·         Engineering roles, impacts and responsibilities

·         Analogue Electronics

·         Digital Electronics

·         Drive Systems

·         Pneumatics 

·         Structures and forces

Course specification:

EngineeringScienceCourseSpecN5.pdf (sqa.org.uk)

The National 5 Engineering Science course has eight unit tests and the November assessment which covers all course material that has been delivered up to that point.

The November assessment will cover:

·         Systems

·         Energy and efficiency 

·         Engineering roles, impacts and responsibilities

·         Analogue Electronics

·         Digital Electronics

·         Drive Systems

·         Structures and forces

 If time allows, there will be a second larger assessment in March. 

SQA examinations timings:

The National 5 Engineering Science paper is 110 marks in 1 hour and 50 minutes. 

They will also complete an assignment which is an SQA assessed piece of coursework. This is completed in class time during February. This assignment is then sent by the school to the SQA for marking. This assignment is out of 50 marks. The assignment contains questions that cover all of the course content.

More information about the assignment can be found here:

EngineeringScienceCourseSpecN5.pdf (sqa.org.uk)

Resources

https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-engineering-science-f8eoqv89ccefnafo

·         Systems approach

·         Energy and efficiency 

·         Engineering roles, impacts and responsibilities

·         Analogue Electronics

·         Digital Electronics

·         Drive Systems

·         Pneumatics 

·         Structures and forces

Course specification:

HigherCourseSpecEngineeringScience.pdf (sqa.org.uk)

The Higher Engineering Science course has unit tests throughout the academic year and the November assessment which covers all course material that has been delivered up to that point.

The November assessment will cover:

·         Systems approach 

·         Energy and efficiency 

·         Engineering roles, impacts and responsibilities

·         Analogue Electronics

·         Drive Systems

·         Structures and forces

If time allows, there will be a second larger assessment in March. 

SQA examinations timings:

The Higher Engineering Science paper is 110 marks in 2 hour and 30 minutes. 

They will also complete an assignment which is an SQA assessed piece of coursework. This is completed in class time during February. This assignment is then sent by the school to the SQA for marking. This assignment is out of 50 marks. The assignment contains questions that cover all of the course content.

More information about the assignment can be found here:

HigherCourseSpecEngineeringScience.pdf (sqa.org.uk)

Resources

https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-engineering-science-f8eoqv89ccefnafo

Unit one: Dynamics and Space

Sub units: Dynamics, Energy (types except heat) and Space

Unit two:

Energy and Electricity 

Sub units:

Electricity, Properties of Matter (includes heat energy)

Unit three:

Waves and Radiation:

Sub units: 

Waves, Radiation

Course specification:

sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/N5CourseSpecPhysics.pdf

The National 5 Physics course has seven unit tests and the November assessment which covers all course material that has been delivered up to that point. If time allows, there will be a second larger assessment in March. 

SQA examinations timings and assessment:

The National 5 Physics paper is split up into two sections: section 1 is multiple choice and section 2 is longer, written answers.

The National 5 Physics paper is 2 hours 30 minutes long without a break in between section 1 and section 2. Total marks is 135. 

Section 1: 25 marks. A rough guidance is that 45 minutes should be spent on this section.

Section 2: 110 marks. A rough guidance is that 1 hour 45 minutes should be spent on this section. 

They will also complete an assignment which is an SQA assessed piece of coursework. This is completed in class time during late January and early February and then sent by the school to the SQA for marking. This assignment is out of 25 marks. 

Resources

https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-physics-wfpgnj1nuo1xi8a9

Unit one: Our Dynamic Universe

Sub units: Kinematics & Dynamics and Gravitation & Space Physics

Unit two:Particles and Waves

Unit three: Electricity 

Course specification:

HigherCourseSpecPhysics.pdf (sqa.org.uk)

The Higher course has five unit tests and the November assessment which covers all course material that has been delivered up to that point. If time allows, there will be a second larger assessment in March. 

SQA examinations timings:

The Higher Physics paper is split up into two sections: section 1 is multiple choice and section 2 is longer, written answers.

The Higher Physics paper is 3 hours long with a break in between section 1 and section 2. Total marks is 155. 

Section 1: 25 marks. 45 minutes. 

Section 2: 130 marks. 2 hours and 15 minutes. 

They will also complete an assignment which is an SQA assessed piece of coursework. This is completed in class time during the weeks between assessment fortnight and the winter break. This assignment is then sent by the school to the SQA for marking. This assignment is out of 20 marks. 

Resources

https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-physics-wfpgnj1nuo1xi8a9

Advanced Higher Physics:

Three different units in Advanced Higher Physics. Each subtopic in Advanced Higher Physics is detailed in the Advanced Higher Physics course spec below. 

Unit one: Rotational Motion and Astrophysics

Unit two: Quanta and Waves

Unit three: Electromagnetism

Course specification:

AHPhysicsCourseSpec.pdf (sqa.org.uk)

The Advanced Higher Physics course has unit tests throughout the year. The November assessment covers all course material that has been delivered up to that point. If time allows, there will be a second large assessment in March. 

SQA examinations timings:

The Advanced Higher Physics is one paper which is 3 hours long. 

The Higher Physics paper is 3 hours long with no break. It has a total of 155 marks.  

Over the year, Advanced Higher Physics will complete a project on a specific area of Physics. This project will give them a great experience of writing their own risk assessments, carrying out their own experiment, gathering data, analysing their data & the uncertainties in their data and finally concluding & evaluating their results. This project is 30 marks. 

Resources

https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-physics-wfpgnj1nuo1xi8a9

National 4 Chemistry is made up of 3 units detailed below.

Unit 1 – Chemical changes and Structure 

• Rates of Reaction 

• Atomic Structure, Chemical bonding and their properties 

• Formulae and reacting quantities 

• Acids and Bases 

Unit 2 – Natures Chemistry 

• Energy from fuels 

• Homologous Series 

• Everyday consumer Products 

Unit 3 – Chemistry in Society 

• Plastics 

• Fertilisers 

• Metals 

• Nuclear Chemistry 

• Chemical Analysis 

Course details can be found here - https://www.sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/CfE_CourseUnitSupportNotes_N4_Sciences_Chemistry.pdf

Assessment

Throughout  the year pupils will sit 3 National 4 Assessments one for each unit. They also have to complete a N4 AVU and an Outcome 1 report. These are both based on practical work that they will complete in class then they will do a write up for each.

All 5 of these assessments must be passed in order to gain a National 4 qualification.

Resources
https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-chemistry-65y2eacl3go9crx1

Unit one: Dynamics and Space

Sub units: Dynamics, Energy (types except heat) and Space

Unit two:

Energy and Electricity 

Sub units:

Electricity, Properties of Matter (includes heat energy)

Unit three:

Waves and Radiation:

Sub units: 

Waves, Radiation

Course specification:

sqa.org.uk/files_ccc/N5CourseSpecPhysics.pdf

The National 5 Physics course has seven unit tests and the November assessment which covers all course material that has been delivered up to that point. If time allows, there will be a second larger assessment in March. 

SQA examinations timings and assessment:

The National 5 Physics paper is split up into two sections: section 1 is multiple choice and section 2 is longer, written answers.

The National 5 Physics paper is 2 hours 30 minutes long without a break in between section 1 and section 2. Total marks is 135. 

Section 1: 25 marks. A rough guidance is that 45 minutes should be spent on this section.

Section 2: 110 marks. A rough guidance is that 1 hour 45 minutes should be spent on this section. 

They will also complete an assignment which is an SQA assessed piece of coursework. This is completed in class time during late January and early February and then sent by the school to the SQA for marking. This assignment is out of 25 marks. 

Resources

https://padlet.com/kirstyfoote/how-to-pass-physics-wfpgnj1nuo1xi8a9

National 4 Physics

Unit one: Dynamics and Space

The Unit covers the key areas of speed and acceleration, relationships between forces, motion and energy, satellites and cosmology. Learners will research issues, apply scientific skills and communicate information related to their findings, which will develop skills of scientific literacy

Unit two:

Energy and Electricity 

The Unit covers the key areas of generation of electricity, electrical power, electromagnetism, practical electrical and electronic circuits, gas laws and the kinetic model. Learners will research issues, apply scientific skills and communicate information related to their findings, which will develop skills of scientific literacy.

Unit three:

Waves and Radiation:

The Unit covers the key areas wave characteristics, sound, electromagnetic spectrum and nuclear radiation. Learners will research issues, apply scientific skills and communicate information related to their findings, which will develop skills of scientific literacy.

Added Value Unit: Physics Assignment (National 4)

In this Unit, learners will draw on and extend the skills they have learned from across the other Units, and demonstrate the breadth of knowledge and skills acquired, in unfamiliar contexts and/or integrated ways.

Assessment

Throughout  the year pupils will sit 3 National 4 Assessments: one for each unit. They also have to complete a N4 AVU and an Outcome 1 report. For Physics, the AVU is research based while the Outcome 1 is practical work that they will complete in class then they will do an experimental write up.

All 5 of these assessments must be passed in order to gain a National 4 qualification.

Course specification:

CfE_CourseSpec_N4_Sciences_Physics.pdf

This Unit provides a broad context for the Course. It introduces engineering concepts by exploring a range of engineered objects, and straightforward engineering problems and solutions. This Unit also allows the learner to explore some existing and emerging technologies and challenges, and to consider implications relating to the environment, sustainable development, and, economic and social issues.

Electronics and Control (National 4)

This Unit explores a range of key concepts and devices used in analogue and digital electronic control systems. Skills in problem solving are developed through simulation, practical projects and investigative tasks in a range of contexts.

Mechanisms and Structures (National 4)

This Unit develops a basic understanding of simple mechanisms and structures. Skills in problem solving are developed through simulation, practical projects and investigative tasks in a range of contexts.

Added Value Unit: Engineering Science Assignment (National 4)

This Unit requires the learner to apply and integrate skills and knowledge from the other Units to solve an appropriately challenging engineering problem. This unit is attempted once all of the teaching of the other units is completed.

Course specification:

CfE_CourseSpec_N4_Technologies_EngineeringScience.pdf

The three mandatory units cover key biological topics and a research-based assignment: 

• Cell Biology: This unit introduces foundational biological concepts.

• Multicellular Organisms: Learners study reproduction, growth, development, and maintaining internal stability.

• Life on Earth: This unit explores ecology, interdependence, and adaptations.

• Added Value Unit: Biology Assignment: This unit requires students to apply their knowledge from the other units to research and report on a current biological issue, demonstrating their skills. 

The course emphasises practical learning and can lead to the National 5 Biology course.

Assessment

Throughout the year pupils will sit three National 4 Assessments one for each unit. They also have to complete a N4 AVU and an Outcome 1 report. These are both based on practical work that they will complete in class then they will do a write up for each. All assessments are internally assessed on a pass/fail basis.

All five of these assessments must be passed in order to gain a National 4 qualification.

There is no external SQA exam for this qualification. 

Course Specification can be found at CfE_CourseSpec_N4_Sciences_Biology.pdf