National Sciences

PhysicsChemistry

Biology

Broad General Education until end of S3 finishing Level 4 outcomes and working towards National levels 4 and 5

In S4, National 4 and 5 outcomes will be covered until a decision can be made as to the appropriate level of presentation for each pupil.

Timescale

Dynamics and Space

Electricity and Energy

Waves and Radiation

Course Content: N3- 5Physics

Chemical Changes and Structure

Chemistry in Society

Nature's Chemistry

Course Content : N3 – 5 Chemistry

Cell Biology

Multicellular organisms

Life on Earth

Course Content: N3 – 5 Biology

All sciences have the same assessments at the levels:

National 3 – pass/fail National 4 – pass/fail National 5 – Graded A-D

Assessments

Activity 1: a scientific report of an experiment or practical investigation

Activity 2: a short report of a research investigation

Activity 3: 3 sets of questions on key areas and problem solving

National 3 – all internal assessment

Activity 1: a scientific report of an experiment or practical investigation

Activity 2: a short report of a research investigation

Activity 3: 3 sets of questions on key areas and problem solving

Added Value Unit – a research project completed under exam conditions and assessed internally as a pass or fail

National 4 – all internal assessment

Activity 1: a scientific report of an experiment or practical investigation

Activity 2: a short report of a research investigation

Activity 3: 3 sets of questions on key areas and problem solving

National 5 – Internal Assessment

Exemplars

Course question paper - 80 marks This covers knowledge and understanding

and problem solving of the key areas within the 3units.

SQA Exam

Course assignment - 20 marks A research project written up under exam

conditions and sent away for assessment by the SQA

National 5 – External Assessment

Prelims Prelim in December for those deemed N5 or

possibly N5

Achievement of less that 40% in this exam would mean pupils would be unlikely to be successful at N5 and so a presentation level of N4 would be more appropriate

Success (pass) at National 4 would see possible entry to National 5 in that subject or National 4 in another science

Success (A-C) at National 5 will allow entry to CfE Higher in that science

Where a pupil has achieved a C pass at National 5 it may be more appropriate that the pupil study the CfE Higher over 2 years.

Progression

Homework Individual approach by departments within

faculty

Homework tasks will reflect the assessment strategies employed by the SQA

Resources Paper materials from school

Suggested websites

Textbooks

Revision guides

Practice papers

Supported study Physics – Monday and Tuesday

Chemistry – Monday and Tuesday

Biology – Monday and Thursday

Exam dates for N5 Physics – May 22nd 2014

Chemistry – May 12th 2014

Biology – May 16th 2014