GEOGRAPHY
SCQF LEVEL 4 - NAT 4
The National 4 Geography course encourages candidates to develop a range of geographical skills and techniques. You will gain a detailed understanding of the ways in which people and the environment interact in response to physical and human processes at local, national, international and global scales. This will be achieved through the study of three main topics: Physical Environments, Human Environments and Global Issues as well as an independent study into a topic of the candidate’s choice.
QUALIFICATION
National 4
DURATION
1 year full time/5 periods a week
COURSEWORK
Assignment
EXAM
None
COST
£5
TEACHERS
Mr McNiven
Miss Strachan
WHY TAKE THIS COURSE?
Geography helps you to make sense of the world around you. It introduces you to our changing world, its human interactions and physical processes. You will develop the knowledge and skills to enable them to contribute to their local communities and wider society. The study of geography fosters positive life-long attitudes of environmental stewardship, sustainability and global citizenship. Practical activities, including fieldwork, provide opportunities for candidates to interact with their environment
The National 5 course has variety of interesting topics such as urban issues, world development, weather, glaciation and natural hazards such as volcanoes, earthquakes and tropical storms – to name but a few.
The course emphasises the development and application of skills. You will develop research skills by using information collected from a range of sources about geographical issues as well as use a range of mapping skills, including the use of Ordnance Survey maps. You will develop a range of fieldwork skills by participating in a class field trip as well as collect data independently for an assignment. From your field trips and data collection you will develop numeracy skills by gathering, using and interpreting a range of graphical information. You will gain experience in contributing to group work and working on their own through taking part in investigative and critical thinking activities.
wHAT WILL YOU EXPERIENCE?
This Course has four mandatory Units: Physical environments, Human environments, Global issues and the Added Value Unit. Within each Unit there is a considerable degree of flexibility in contexts which can be studied to allow personalisation and choice.
Physical Environments
In this Unit, learners will develop geographical skills and techniques in the context of physical environments. Key topics include location of landscape type; formation of key landscape features; land use management and sustainability; and weather. Learners will study a selection of landscape types from contexts within Scotland and/or the UK. Landscape types will be glaciated uplands and coastal landscapes.
Human Environments
In this Unit, learners will develop geographical skills and techniques in the context of human environments. Learners will study and compare developed and developing countries drawn from a global context. Key topics include contrasts in development; world population distribution and change; and issues in changing urban and rural landscapes.
Global issues
You will develop skills in using numerical information in the context of global issues, together with a detailed knowledge and understanding of significant global geographical issues. Key topics include:
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climate change (features of climate change)
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natural regions (tundra and equatorial tropical forest climates and their ecosystems)
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environmental hazards (the main features of earthquakes, volcanoes and tropical storms)
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trade and globalisation (world trade patterns)
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tourism (mass tourism and eco-tourism)
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health (distribution of a range of world diseases)
Candidates will study two of the topics outlined above.
Added value unit
In the added value unit, learners will choose an issue for personal study drawn from geographical contexts. They will research their chosen issue and present their findings. Through this activity they will have opportunities to experience challenge and application as they further develop and apply the skills, knowledge and understanding acquired in the other three Units of the Course.
Outdoor learning
Pupils will have the opportunity to experience outdoor learning by visiting Ballater and the Burn O Vat. Here they will have opportunities to use a variety of fieldwork techniques to collect data which will aid preparation for their added value unit.
KEY FACTS
Everything you need to know before selecting this course
entry requirements
Taking Geography in S3 would be beneficial however many candidates would still be capable of achieving National 4 without this. Please speak to the Principal Teacher of Social Subjects if this is the case.
what will you get?
To achieve the National 4 Geography Course, learners must pass all the required Units, including the Added Value Unit.
Pupils will achieve a National 4 certificate.
National 4 Courses are not graded.
progress
Everything you need to know about future pathways from this course
EMPLOYMENT
Most careers will benefit from your experience in Geography however some jobs more closely related to the skills and knowledge developed include Petroleum Engineer, Geoscientist, Meteorologist, Hydrologist, Urban planner, Armed forces, Pilot, National park ranger, Geologist, Conversation officer, GIS specialist, Farmer, Ecologist, Lecturer, Environmental Health Officer, Cartographer, Tour manager, Minerals Surveyor, Landscaper, Game keeper, Geography teacher, and Environmental Consultant/Manager.
Skills developed through Geography:
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Problem Solving: working independently, resilience, time management, positive work ethic.
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Leadership: leading groups, building confidence, organisational skills. You are required to complete coursework which demands you to take responsibility for your own learning and have a proactive, motivated attitude towards your studies.
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Teamwork: working successfully in a group, delegation, presenting information.
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Communication: working with others, presenting findings, using clear and concise language.
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OS map skills: using ordnance survey maps to identify a variety of physical and human features.
my world of work
This link will take you to an excellent resource on MyWOW which looks at potential career routes when you select a combination of subjects.
STUDENT STORIES
Information from pupils who have studied this course as to how they feel it was.
Craig - S4
I really enjoyed using ordnance survey maps as it helped develop my mapping skills. I feel it is a useful skill to have especially if you want to go walking in the mountains or go out exploring.
