With the return of the Advanced Higher Biology projects, SSERC are delivering a 2-day course, to explore investigations that support the curriculum at this level.

This course is particularly suited to practitioners who are new to delivering the AH Biology course in school.  Project ideas will be discussed, with networking opportunities to share best practice with colleagues.

Course Dates: 10th and 11th September 2024

Closing Date: 19th June 2024

Booking for this course is no longer possible as the closing date has passed.

Course Leader

Annie McRobbie
01383 626070
annie.mcrobbie@sserc.scot

Subsidised course fee payable to SSERC (Residential, with accommodation) – £190
Subsidised course fee payable to SSERC (Non-Residential, no accommodation) – £80
The total course fee is £490 (Residential) and £380 (Non-Residential) but SSERC are subsidising this course fee to the value of £300

Course Aims   

This course aims to support the delivery of Advanced Higher Biology with practical, hands-on experiments that will support investigations and projects at this level.  

Course Outcomes   

By the end of this course, you should be able to:  

    • Carry out a range of experiments that utilise many of the Laboratory Techniques for Biologists, as outlined in the course specification, e.g. using a centrifuge, haemocytometer, colorimeter, aseptic techniques and microsyringes.
    • Perform a direct cell count to explore the effect of an antifungal treatment.
    • Explore enzyme activity (including inhibition) using a colorimetric assay and gas sensor technology.
    • Deepen student understanding of protein molecules by exploring protein structure using RasMol.
    • Use titrations to construct a standard curve and determine the concentration of an unknown.
    • Carry out complex microbiological techniques that are applicable to the AH Biology course with appropriate risk awareness and safety precautions.
    • Understand the value of R as a statistical package and how to use this across a range of different investigations.
    • Exploring the effect of pH on the solubility of a protein, with supporting bioinformatic approaches.
Overnight accommodation between day 1 and 2 can be provided on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis at a local hotel. Please refer to the cost tab for the residential course fees.

The course will be held at SSERC in Dunfermline. Our SSERC buildings are at 2 Pitreavie Court, Dunfermline, KY11 8UU. SSERC is a short (5-10 minutes) walk from Rosyth railway station and close to the end of the A823(M) spur off Junction 2 of the M90 motorway. Car journey times (approximately): Edinburgh – 30 min; Glasgow – 60 min; Aberdeen – 2.5 hours; Inverness – 3 hours.