Advanced Higher Biology
Topics Taught
Advanced Higher Biology is a course designed for those who have a good pass at either Higher Biology or Higher Human Biology and want to study the subject further. Three units form the course; Cell and Molecular Biology, Environmental Biology, an Investigation of 2000 words (counts as half a unit) and a further half unit to be chosen from Biotechnology, Animal Behaviour and Physiology and Health. Students at this level are expected to be able to engage in their studies autonomously to a large extent, theory is taught in seminar type classes, Scholar materials are available from the Heriot Watt University web site, and the data for the investigation can be collected during the visit to the Marine Biology Station at Millport which usually takes place over three days in late September/ early October as a residential weekend.
Homework
Written essays are required on a regular basis along with past paper type questions and Scholar exercises from the website. It is expected that considerable research and background reading will be part of the Private Study arrangements for students as well as preparing for a regular Multiple choice exercise held in class time.
Assessments (Internal and External)
The NABs form the basic requirement for certification (one for each unit) and the successful candidate will write their Investigation in the prescribed way based upon the data collected. An almost weekly formative assessment programme provides candidates with up to the minute feed back as to their progress through the materials and Scholar materials also provide diagnostic tests to aid the student with individual problems.
Next Steps
Many students of AH Biology go on to study biologically-oriented degrees at University in Medical, Dental and Veterinarian areas as well as a wide diversity of other careers.