BI10B1: Access Biology Course SCQF Level 7 (Advanced Higher)

BI10B1: ACCESS BIOLOGY COURSE SCQF LEVEL 7 (ADVANCED HIGHER) (2026-2027)

Last modified: 01 Oct 2026 14:16

Course Overview

The Biology Access Course will cover a wide range of themes in line with the Advanced Higher Biology syllabus. The course encompasses subject areas such as proteins, sexual reproduction and parasitism. However, the course has an emphasis on scientific skill development, provisioning you with a core understanding of scientific method, experimental design, data analysis and presentation, as well as enhancing skills such as critical thinking and problem solving.

You will expand your current knowledge, enhance your scientific skillset and develop your interest in biology, as well as prepare to study independently at university level. Learning outcomes and skills will be embedded in the materials and activities. Teaching and learning will be solely online and involve engaging lectures and practical exercises.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	1
Term	Full Year	Credit Points	15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Dr Martin Barker

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Either Programme Level 0 or Programme Level 1

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

Biology Access is a flexible, online course. 100% online, you can study anywhere you have internet access. Available 24/7, all year round, you can enrol whenever you like and study at your own pace. It is designed to help you access university and college courses, when you don’t have the Advanced Higher Biology qualifications you need.

What you’ll study

Access Biology course will cover a wide range of themes, in line with the Advanced Higher Biology syllabus, from subject based material such as cells and proteins, to investigative biology where the focus is on scientific principles and processes.

Skills and learning outcomes will be embedded in the materials and activities, and will include critical thinking, note-taking, familiarity with scientific literature, problem solving and data collection.

Access Biology aims to:

Provide a qualification equivalent to Advanced Higher Biology
Highlight core biological subjects and topical issues in biology, demonstrating how these impact society and the environment
Give opportunities to practice skills required to become a fully independent learner
Provide an introduction to biology and learning in a higher education institution.

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 21st September 2026 for Term 1 and Full Year courses and 8th January 2027 for Term 2 courses.

Summative Assessments

Class Test - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	20
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Unit 4: Cells and Proteins. Assessed by MCQ exam (worth 20% of the course grade). Grade released upon completion.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Apply	Extend and apply scientific knowledge to new situations, to interpret and analyse information to solve problems, make predictions and draw valid conclusions supported by evidence
Conceptual	Evaluate	Plan and design biological experiments/investigations to test a hypothesis and carry out biological experiments safely, systematically recording observations and collecting data.
Factual	Remember	Draw on knowledge and understanding of biology to make accurate statements, describe complex information, provide detailed explanations and integrate knowledge
Reflection	Evaluate	Critically evaluate experimental procedures by identifying sources of error and suggesting and implementing improvements

Class Test - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	25
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Unit 2: Practical Skills for Biologists. Assessed by MCQ Exam divided into two parts (worth 12.5% each). Grade released upon completion.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Apply	Extend and apply scientific knowledge to new situations, to interpret and analyse information to solve problems, make predictions and draw valid conclusions supported by evidence
Factual	Remember	Draw on knowledge and understanding of biology to make accurate statements, describe complex information, provide detailed explanations and integrate knowledge

MCQs and Individual Project

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	25
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Unit 5: Investigative Biology. Assessed by two MCQs (worth 5% and 10% of the course grade respectively) and an individual project (worth 10% of the course grade). MCQ grades released upon completion; project grade released within 3 weeks.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Apply	Extend and apply scientific knowledge to new situations, to interpret and analyse information to solve problems, make predictions and draw valid conclusions supported by evidence
Conceptual	Evaluate	Plan and design biological experiments/investigations to test a hypothesis and carry out biological experiments safely, systematically recording observations and collecting data.
Factual	Remember	Draw on knowledge and understanding of biology to make accurate statements, describe complex information, provide detailed explanations and integrate knowledge
Reflection	Evaluate	Critically evaluate experimental procedures by identifying sources of error and suggesting and implementing improvements

Class Test - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	5
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Unit 1: What is Science? Assessed by MCQ exam (worth 5% of the course grade). Grade released upon completion.

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Class Test - Multiple Choice Questions

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	25
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Unit 3: Organisms and Evolution. Assessed by MCQ Exam divided into two parts (worth 12.5% each). Grade released upon completion.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Apply	Extend and apply scientific knowledge to new situations, to interpret and analyse information to solve problems, make predictions and draw valid conclusions supported by evidence
Factual	Remember	Draw on knowledge and understanding of biology to make accurate statements, describe complex information, provide detailed explanations and integrate knowledge

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed element(s)

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Grades from the assessment components that were passed on the first attempt are carried forward.

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Apply	Extend and apply scientific knowledge to new situations, to interpret and analyse information to solve problems, make predictions and draw valid conclusions supported by evidence
Conceptual	Evaluate	Plan and design biological experiments/investigations to test a hypothesis and carry out biological experiments safely, systematically recording observations and collecting data.
Reflection	Evaluate	Critically evaluate experimental procedures by identifying sources of error and suggesting and implementing improvements
Factual	Remember	Draw on knowledge and understanding of biology to make accurate statements, describe complex information, provide detailed explanations and integrate knowledge

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