Higher Human Biology
Mandatory information
Course Specification
This explains the overall structure of the Course, including its purpose and aims and information on the skills, knowledge and understanding that will be developed.
The following document shows how the revised course structure from 2018-19 onwards compares with the current course structure. The revised Higher course specification and course support notes will be published by the end of April and end of May respectively; however the content will be the same as it is in this document. The key areas of the course and the depth of knowledge required for each key area can be assessed in the question paper.
- Higher Human Biology Course Content Change Comparison
February 2018
Course Assessment Specification
This explains the structure of the Course assessment; including the type and method of assessment. It also includes information on Course coverage.
Unit Specifications
These provide an outline of what each Unit will cover within the Course and detail the Outcomes and Assessment Standards.
- Human Biology: Physiology and Health (Higher) Unit Specification
April 2015 - Human Biology: Neurobiology and Communication (Higher) Unit Specification
April 2015 - Human Biology: Immunology and Public Health (Higher) Unit Specification
June 2014 - Human Biology: Human Cells (Higher) Unit Specification
June 2014
Advice and guidance
Course and Unit Support Notes
These provide advice and guidance for teachers/lecturers on learning, teaching and assessment within the Course and its Units.
The following document contains the Course Support Notes and the Unit Support Notes for this Course. They can be printed together or separately.
Assessment support
Past Papers and Marking Instructions
Specimen Question Papers
These illustrate the standard, structure and requirements of the question papers learners will sit. These also include marking instructions.
- Higher Human Biology Specimen Question Paper
Feb 2014 - Question Paper Brief - Higher Human Biology(289 KB)
October 2015
Coursework
Provides information on marking instructions and/or the coursework assessment task(s). It includes information that centres need to administer coursework and must be read in conjunction with the course specification.
- General assessment information for Higher Human Biology
September 2016 - Guidance on conditions of assessment (409 KB)
Information on the production and submission of SQA-assessed coursework for National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher.
Unit Assessment Support
These documents contain details of Unit assessment task(s), show approaches to gathering evidence and how the evidence can be judged against the Outcomes and Assessment Standards. Teachers/lecturers can arrange access to these confidential documents through their SQA Co-ordinator.
Course Reports
- 2017 Higher Human Biology Course Report October 2017
- 2016 Higher Human Biology Course Report October 2016
- 2015 Higher Human Biology Course Report Oct 2015
- Biology 2015 – 16 Key Messages Round 1 Mar 2016
- Human Biology Verification Key Messages Oct 2015
Related Information
Contact Information
- Candidate Enquiries
- General Enquiries
- 0345 279 1000
- Centre Enquiries
- 0303 333 0330