Advanced Higher Biology Investigation Timeline

1. Introduction                                                                               June 2007      
• Pupils are given SQA guidelines on Investigation
• Class time used to discuss the project significance and possible topics
• Pupils are asked to begin brainstorming during the summer
• Daybooks to be given out at the start of term in August

2. Evidence of Brainstorming                                                         Wed 19^th Sept 2007
• Several ideas should be written up in Daybook
• Each should be supported by website, text, media references, etc.
• Daybooks will be collected to check that above is complete

3. Finalise Topic                                                                            Fri 5^th Oct 2007
• Aim must now be clearly stated in Daybook
• Daybooks will be collected to check that above is complete
• Upon return of Daybook, topic should now begin to be more thoroughly investigated and all relevant background information and references should be recorded in Daybook

4. First Draft of Plan                                                                     Fri 23^rd Nov 2007
• Proposed procedure, apparatus and material should be identified
• Daybooks will be collected to check that investigation of topic and all relevant background information is complete and that the procedure, apparatus and materials required have been recorded
• Possible hypothesis should be formulated

5. Finalised Plan                                                                            Thu 20^th Dec 2007
• Plan must be clearly stated and detailed
• All necessary apparatus and materials must be listed
• Schedule of practical activity must be included in the plan
• Daybooks will be collected to check that above is complete

6. Lab work/ Practical Work during class Time

      Class time during the following weeks will be dedicated to Investigations

• Week 22 Mon 4^th- Fri 8^th Feb            Practical Work
• Week 23 Tues 19^th- Fri 22^nd Feb       Practical Work
• Week 24 Mon 25^th- Fri 29^th Feb        Report Writing

7. First Draft of Report                                                                  Thu 20^th Mar 2008
• This report will be collected and the teacher will read, and comment on necessary or suggested improvements and return this to the pupil following the Easter weekend.

8. Final Draft of Report                                                              Wed 2^nd April 2008
• This version will be collected and submitted to the SQA FOR EXTERNAL ASSESSMENT!
• At this time Daybooks will also be collected for the final time and marked on a PASS/FAIL basis as the NAB INTERNAL ASSESSMENT, in accordance with Outcomes 1 and 2 as stated in the Pupil Investigation Guidance from the SQA