Banff Academy

COURSE INFORMATION

Subject / Geography / Level / Advanced Higher
Course content /

Advanced Higher Geography gives a great opportunity for pupils to become independent researchers, a skill required in first year of most degrees and college courses and a useful skill for life. Pupils can explore in depth 2 topics which greatly interest them. Throughout, pupils will learn useful geographical techniques for gathering, processing and analysing data, evaluating results and reaching reasoned conclusions. They will explore a wide range of techniques including physical analyses (beach profiles, micro-climate, slope, soil, stream, vegetation) and human techniques (environmental quality surveys, interview design, pedestrian surveys, perception studies, questionnaires, traffic surveys and land use mapping.

There are 2 main units in Advanced Higher Geography.

Unit 1 – Geographical Skills (16 SCQF points)

Unit 2 – Geographical Issues (8 SCQF points)

Course Assessment – (8 SCQF points)
Assessment / All units must be passed internally and externally in order to gain an award.

External assessment by the SQA consists of a folio sent of early May, and an exam.

The folio makes up two thirds of the marks and consists of a 3,000 word study (a project) and a 1,800 word issues essay. The study makes up 60% of the folio, and the issues essay 40%.

Internal assessment consists of 2 unit tests – all outcomes must be met.

The exam is 2.5 hours long and is worth 50 marks out of the total 150 marks for the course. There are three sections in which pupils will answers questions on map interpretation (20), gathering and processing techniques (10) and geographical data handing (20), which includes statistical techniques.
Additional Information / Recommended entry to the course in an A or B at Higher Geography.
The course is ideal for pupils who are interested in the World around them, want to explore themes in depth and who are able to take responsibility for their learning and take pride in their research work. There is more emphasis on research than a taught course.
Pupils in the past have reported back that this course helped them a great deal with their first year at College or University.