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Course Outlines

Full details of the course content of SQA courses can be found on the SQA web site http://www.sqa.org.uk/

S1 Integrated Science

The S1 Science course is integrated and includes Biology, Chemistry and Physics material. The units of work are based on the content of the 5-14 Environmental Studies syllabus. The primary aims of the course are to build on the young pupils previously acquired knowledge and to develop their scientific skills. The courses are based on practical activities and build up to an understanding of concepts and development of skills. The topics covered are listed below:

  • Introduction to the Sciences
  • Solids, Liquids and Gases
  • Compounds and Mixtures
  • Living and Growing
  • Our Bodies and Energy
  • Energy Changers
  • Space

S2 5-14

The Sciences in S2 are taught in rotation so that pupils can be taught by a specialist in Physics, Chemistry or Biology. The first cycle for each class lasts approximately 8 weeks. The units are based on pupil experimental activities.

The aim is to encourage an interest in Physics as it applies to everyday life and to give a better idea of the difference between Physics and Biology or Chemistry. The topics covered in S2 Physics are:

  • Electricity
  • Heat
  • Light and Sound

Homework is an integral part of each topic.

The assessments are designed on the 5-14 documentation to allow pupils to be examined up to level F. Attainment in this course allows prediction to be made for progression in the study of Physics.

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S3 /S4 Standard Grade Physics SQA

Full details of the assessment arrangements and content of this course can be obtained on the SQA web site http://www.sqa.org.uk/

Course Aims

The course aims to contribute to the general education of pupils by helping to make sense of their physical environment through specific enquiry and to provide a suitable basis for further study in Physics. The course aims to develop the skills necessary to find the solutions to scientific problems through success and enjoyment develop positive attitudes. These attitudes will include being open-minded and willing to recognise other points of view, being prepared to show initiative and accept responsibility, developing an interest in Physics, in themselves and in their environment and being aware that they can make decisions which affect the well being of themselves, others and the quality of their environment.

  • Unit 1 Telecommunications
  • Unit 2 Using Electricity
  • Unit 3 Health Physics
  • Unit 4 Electronics
  • Unit 5 Transport
  • Unit 6 Energy Matters
  • Unit 7 Space Physics

Assessment

Assessment is continuous and consists of :

  • End of Unit Tests
  • Practical Abilities testing
  • S3 Examination
  • S4 Prelim Examination
  • SQA Examination.

A Credit award is required for progression to Higher Physics. A General award would usually allow progression to Intermediate 2 Physics.

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S3/S4 Access 3 /Intermediate 1 SQA

Full details of the assessment arrangements and content of this course can be obtained on the SQA web site http://www.sqa.org.uk/

As a result of following Intermediate 1 Physics , pupils should acquire:

  • An increased knowledge and understanding of facts and ideas, of techniques and of applications of physics in society.
  • Skill in applying their knowledge and understanding in a wide variety of theoretical and precatical problem solving contexts
  • Skills associated with carrying out experimental and investigative work in Physics and analysing the information obtained.

Course Aims

The course has been designed to offer students opportunities to study Physics at an appropriate level so as to develop an understanding of some of the basic concepts, principles and techniques by emphasising an understanding of the applications of Physics and society. The course does not require the level of mathematics required for Standard Grade Physics. The 6 units of the course are:

D373 09
Telecommunication - 0.5 credit
D374 09
Practical Electricity - 0.5 credit
D375 09
Radiations - 0.5 credit
D376 09
Sound and Music - 0.5 credit
D377 09
Movement - 0.5 credit
D378 09
Electronics - 0.5 credit

The units are the same for Access3 and Intermediate 1 with the outcomes modified to meet the needs of Access students.

Assessment

Assessment is continuous and consists of :

  • National end of Unit tests NABs
  • S3 Examination in June
  • Prelim examination in S4
  • Write up of practical experiments.
  • S4 National Examination for Intermediate 1 only.

Access students can sit the Intermediate 1 NABs and achieve a pass at Access at a lower cut-off than required for an Intermediate 1 pass. They may also attempt a modified question paper designed for Access. Pupils do not require to attempt the National examination for a pass at Access.

Resources

  • Text book
  • Pupil's worksheets and examples
  • Sheets of examples
  • Virtual Physics Intermediate 1 software

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Intermediate 2 Physics SQA

Full details of the assessment arrangements and content of this course can be obtained on the SQA web site http://www.sqa.org.uk/

Course

The course is designed to allow students who have achieved General Level in Standard Grade Physics to continue with the study of Physics. A pupil who performs well at this level may then progress on to Higher Physics in S6.

As a result of following Intermediate 2 Physics , pupils should acquire:

  • An increased knowledge and understanding of facts and ideas, of techniques and of applications of physics in society.
  • Skill in applying their knowledge and understanding in a wide variety of theoretical and precatical problem solving contexts
  • Skills associated with carrying out experimental and investigative work in Physics and analysing the information obtained.

There are four units in the course.

The titles of the units are :

D379 11
Mechanics and Heat - 1 credit
D380 11
Electricity and Electronics - 1 credit
D381 11
Waves and Optics - 0.5 credit
D382 11
Radioactivity - 0.5 credit

Assessment

Departmental assessment is continuous and is based on

  • Short tests
  • Homework
  • National end of Unit tests NABs
  • Prelim examination in two parts March and April/May
  • A second Prelim in April
  • Write up of practical experiments

The National assessment of the SQA for the Units consists of:

  • National end of Unit tests (NABs)
  • a write up of a practical experiment.

To achieve an Intermediate Higher Course award a candidate must pass all the NABs (Unit tests and the National Course examination.

Resources

Students are issued with:

  • a student handbook
  • sheets of examples
  • additional notes as required
  • Virtual Intermediate 2 Physics Higher software

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Higher Physics SQA

Full details of the assessment arrangements and content of this course can be obtained on the SQA web site http://www.sqa.org.uk/

Course Outline

This course aims to provide opportunity for reinforcing and extending pupils' knowledge and understanding of the concepts of Physics and developing their ability to solve problems. Although not applications led as in Standard Grade, the course seeks to illustrate and emphasise situations where the principles of Physics are used and applied. The assessment material usually contains questions where experience in considering applications would be an advantage. In particular pupils should acquire:

  • An increased knowledge and understanding of facts and ideas, of techniques and of applications of Physics in society.
  • skill in applying their knowledge and understanding in a wide variety of theoretical and practical problem solving contexts
  • willingness to make critical and evaluative comments
  • interest in current developments in and applications of Physics.

The Higher course comprises 3 units designed to allow progression from Standard Grade Credit Physics or Intermediate 2 Physics. The demands of the units are not only more extensive in terms of content but also in terms of complexity.

The titles of the units are :

D383 12
Mechanics and Properties of Matter - 1 credit
D380 12
Electricity and Electronics - 1 credit
D384 12
Radiation and Matter - 1 credit

Assessment

Departmental assessment is continuous and is based on

  • Short tests
  • Homework
  • National end of Unit tests NABs
  • Prelim examination in two parts March and April/May
  • A second Prelim in April
  • Write up of practical experiments

The National assessment of the SQA for the Units consists of:

  • National end of Unit tests (NABs)
  • a write up of a practical experiment.

To achieve a Higher Course award a candidate must pass all the NABs (Unit tests and the National Course examination.

Resources

Students are issued with:

  • a text book
  • a student handbook
  • sheets of examples
  • additional notes as required
  • Virtual Physics Higher software

They also have access to Virtual Higher Physics software for which a license is held. Students also have password access to other materials on the schools Virtual Learning Environment site. Students also have home password access to the Herriot Watt SCHOLAR site for Higher Physics.

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Advanced Higher Physics SQA

Full details of the assessment arrangements and content of this course can be obtained on the SQA web site http://www.sqa.org.uk/

Course Outline

This course aims to build on the concepts, skills and attitudes developed at Higher Level. It aims to provide a challenging experience for those who wish to study the subject to a greater depth and to assist students towards an understanding of the use of mathematical models and techniques for describing the behaviour of nature.

It also aims to provide opportunity for students to engage in extended independent research and to increase awareness of the applications and of developments at the frontiers of Physics.

The Advanced Higher course comprises 3 units designed to allow progression from Higher Grade Physics. The demands of the units are not only more extensive in terms of content but also in terms of complexity. The titles of the units are :

D385 13
Mechanics - 1 credit
D386 13
Electrical Phenomena- 1 credit
D387 13
Wave Phenomena - 1 credit
D388 13
Physics Investigation - 1 credit

Assessment

Departmental assessment is continuous and is based on

  • Short tests
  • Homework
  • National end of Unit tests NABs
  • Prelim examination in two parts March and April/May
  • A second Prelim in April
  • Write up of practical experiments

The National assessment of the SQA for the Units consists of:

  • National end of Unit tests (NABs)
  • a write up of a practical experiment.

To achieve an Advanced Higher Course award a candidate must pass all the NABs Unit tests and the National course examination.

Resources

Students are issued with:

  • a text book “Physics for Advanced Level” by Jim Breithaupt
  • a student handbook
  • sheets of examples
  • additional notes as required
  • Virtual Physics AH software

They also have access to Virtual Advanced Higher Physics software for which a license is held. Students also have password access to other materials on the schools Virtual Learning Environment site. Students also have home password access to the Herriot Watt SCHOLAR site for Advanced Higher Physics.

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