-SQA-SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY. Hanover House 24 Douglas Street GLASGOW G2 7NQ NATIONAL CERTIFICATE MODULE DESCRIPTOR

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1 -SQA-SCOTTISH QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY Hanover House 24 Douglas Street GLASGOW G2 7NQ NATIONAL CERTIFICATE MODULE DESCRIPTOR -Module Number Session Superclass- RH -Title- EVOLUTION (x 1 / 2 ) -DESCRIPTION- Purpose This module introduces candidates to the subject of evolution and provides them with the means of extending their knowledge of inheritance and genetics. The module is suitable for inclusion in Biology or Human Biology programmes. Offered in conjunction with other Stage 2 Biology modules it could be a preparation for Higher Education. Preferred Introducing Inheritance (x 1/2). Entry Level Genetics (x 1/2). Outcomes The candidate should: 1. collate evidence for evolution; 2. analyse theories of evolution. Assessment Procedures Acceptable performance in this module will be satisfactory achievement of all the Performance Criteria specified for each Outcome. The following abbreviations are used below: PC Performance Criteria Instrument of Assessment Note: The Outcomes and PCs are mandatory and cannot be altered. The may be altered by arrangement with SQA. (Where a range of performance is indicated, this should be regarded as an extension of the PCs and is therefore mandatory.)

2 OUTCOME 1 COLLATE EVIDENCE FOR EVOLUTION PCs (a) The selection of evidence for the diversity of organisms is correct in terms of: (iv) (v) (vi) (vii) speciation; adaptive radiation; inheritance; survival; competition; isolation; migration. (b) The selection of evidence from comparative anatomy is correct in terms of: phenotypic variation; convergence; divergence. (c) The selection of evidence from comparative biochemistry is correct in terms of: (iv) immunological tests; protein sequences; DNA hybridisation; genotypic variation. Assignment An assignment to assess the candidate's ability to systematically collate evidence for evolution, under open book conditions. The assignment should take the form of a folio of work, within which evidence is systematically collated, to cover Performance Criteria (a) to (c). Satisfactory achievement of the Outcome will be demonstrated by the candidate achieving all the Performance Criteria within the structured report. OUTCOME 2 ANALYSE THEORIES OF EVOLUTION PCs (a) The description of each theory of evolution is complete with respect to: core hypothesis; proposer; evidence; - 2 -

3 (b) The analysis of the evidence for each theory of evolution is complete in terms of the mode by which characteristics are: acquired; expressed; inherited. Assignment An assignment to assess the candidate's ability to analyse theories of evolution. The assignment should be a critical analysis and take the form of a structured report to a minimum of 1000 words covering at least 2 theories of evolution, 1 of which must be Darwinian. Satisfactory achievement of the Outcome will be demonstrated by the candidate achieving all parts of the Performance Criteria within the report

4 The following sections of the descriptor are offered as guidance. They are not mandatory. CONTENT/CONTEXT Candidates should be encouraged to develop a critical analysis of theories of evolution. It should be emphasised that evidence to date is still open to a great deal of discussion. Corresponding to Outcomes 1-2: 1. (a) Evidence: Natural diversity of living organisms, unequal distribution of organisms and discontinuous variation. Examples could include: industrial melanism in peppered moths, Darwin's finches, sickle cell trait, development of resistant strains, missing links. (b) (c) Comparative anatomy: homologous and analogous structures, vestigial structures, comparative embryology, fossils, incompleteness of fossil record, phylogenetic relationship, pentadactyl limb. Immunological tests: antigen/antibody compatibility, cross-species compatibility. Comparison of amino acid sequences in, for example, cytochrome C, fibrinogen, haemoglobin. (Details of techniques are not required here). Causes of variation: Examples could include chromosome and gene mutation. Details of meiosis need only include: crossing over, independent assortment, recombination. Consideration should be given to the way in which environmental factors effect variation of organisms. 2. The candidate could address issues raised by theories of evolution including that attributed to Darwin. To this end the candidate should have access to a wide range of texts or similar resources. SUGGESTED LEARNING AND TEACHING APPROACHES A candidate-centred, resource-based approach is likely to be the most appropriate for this module. The Outcomes can be integrated so that concepts can be developed. Candidates should be encouraged to investigate the subject using as wide a range of resources as possible. Selection of data, tabulation and drawing conclusions are examples of a problem-solving approach appropriate for establishing concepts

5 Each candidate should be formatively assessed throughout the module. Where a candidate is unsuccessful in achieving an Outcome, provision should be made for remediation and reassessment. Copyright SQA