As part of the overall Science Department, an integrated Science course is taught in the early years. Different sections of work cover different aspects of Physics, Chemistry and Biology, and offer to pupils a broad base of Science knowledge which can be developed in later years.
Biology[top]
The Biology elective will give pupils a deeper understanding of Biology at level 4.
It is particularly suitable for pupils who wish to study Biology in the senior phase (S4-S6) and anyone who wants to investigate real world science problems.
This course provides excellent preparation and progression for SQA qualifications in Biology and jobs such as Medicine, Biomechanics etc.
Pupils wishing to choose 2 or more sciences to study in the senior phase (for SQA presentation) are strongly advised to choose at least one science elective in S2/S3. The elective course in S2/S3 will also be available to choose at the end of S2 in the main science column. The course has activities and experiments for 4 separate units.
The units are:
Biodiversity – Study (some) of the millions of different living organisms on planet Earth, what they do and how they live together.
Body Systems and Cells – Your body is an amazing machine. Find out what the different parts are, what they do and what they are made from.
Growth and Development – Here you will learn how a living organism changes over time and why.
Inheritance – It's in your genes. Find out about DNA and how it is used to create new life, and why you look like other family members but why you're not identical ( unless you're a twin).
Chemistry[top]
The Chemistry elective will give pupils a deeper understanding of Chemistry at level 4.
It is particularly suitable for pupils who wish to study Chemistry in the senior phase (S4-S6) and anyone who wants to investigate real world science problems.
This course provides excellent preparation and progression for SQA qualifications in Chemistry and jobs such as Chemical Engineering, Pharmacy etc
Pupils wishing to choose 2 or more sciences to study in the senior phase (for SQA presentation) are strongly advised to choose at least one science elective in S2/S3. The elective course in S2/S3 will also be available to choose at the end of S2 in the main science column.
The course has activities and experiments for 4 separate units.
The units are:
Atoms and bonding – The stuff the universe is made from!
Learn about the tiny particles that make up everything in the known universe.
Chemical Reactions – Most objects in the universe are made from different combinations of atoms. In this section you will investigate the different ways new materials are made.
Earths Materials – It's amazing the stuff you can dig up these days! Find out the dazzling array of materials you can find on planet Earth and what you can do with them.
Chemical Energy – investigate different ways of producing energy from chemical sources and the global impact of each type.
Physics[top]
The Physics elective will give pupils a deeper understanding of Physics at level 4. It is particularly suitable for pupils who wish to study physics in the senior phase (S4-S6) and anyone who wants to investigate real world science problems.
This course provides excellent preparation and progression for SQA qualifications in Physics and jobs such as Electrical or Mechanical Engineering to name but a few.
Pupils wishing to choose 2 or more sciences to study in the senior phase (for SQA presentation) are strongly advised to choose at least one science elective in S2/S3. The elective course in S2/S3 will also be available to choose at the end of S2 in the main science column.
The course has activities and experiments for 3 separate units.
The units are:
Planes, trains and automobiles – how fast/high/far can you make an object go. Tasks will include designing and building rockets and boats then experimenting to measure the speed, and efficiency of each object. Further opportunities to redesign and improve on your project will highlight the underlying science
Electronics – learn about electronic components and design and study different circuits, and then use electronic sound engineering equipment to make some noise!
Energy Eco – Warriors ! – investigate different ways of producing energy from renewable sources or nuclear power and the global impact of each type.
Practical Electronics[top]
This elective is hands on! Over two years you will learn practical skills that have real value in jobs. You can also progress to Physics at SQA National 4/5 level in the senior phase. This will give you a stronger application for careers such as engineering apprenticeships.
In this elective you will:
Learn about loads of electric and electronic components, computer chips and circuit boards
Learn to computer design electronic circuits that do different jobs
Select a design and solder together real components, computer chips and electronic circuit boards to make a working electronic system as part of the final project.
Global Science Citizenship [top]
The Global Science Citizenship elective will give pupils an opportunity to study science in a wider context and the impact on society. The course allows pupils to look at key scientific issues, what they are, the advantages and disadvantages and the moral and ethical issues surrounding each topic The course has activities and experiments for 6 separate units.
The units are:
Earth Science – Study the carbon cycle, its impact on life and environmental issues
Scotland – The amazing impact that Scottish scientists have had across centuries
Health – Modern contributions and controversies from areas such as Stem Cell research, Genetic Engineering, Organ donation and others
Energy – The pros and cons of using different sources of energy for large scale generation of electricity. Nuclear power, renewable energy and fossil fuel sources will be compared
Drugs – Here you will study the effect of drugs and alcohol on Scotland and look at the Pharmaceutical Industry
Water – We need clean water! Here you will find out how to get it and how access to safe, clean water varies across the world.
