What is in Higher Biology

Higher Biology has three areas: DNA and the genome, Metabolism and survival, and Sustainability and interdependence, with practical techniques and scientific skills throughout.

Weeks before your first paper

Hours a week for biology

Topic 1: DNA, replication and gene expression

Topic 2: Differentiation, the genome and mutations

Topic 3: Evolution and genomic sequencing

Topic 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration

Topic 5: Metabolic rate and survival

Topic 6: Environmental and genetic control of metabolism in micro-organisms

Topic 7: Food supply, photosynthesis, breeding and crop protection

Topic 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity

26 weeks, 104 hours in all

Start with Topic 1

DNA, replication and gene expression: 14.4 of your hours. It is 3 of the 20 questions on each timed paper, 15%.

Hours per topic
Topic	Your hours	Share of the checks
Topic 1: DNA, replication and gene expression	14.4	15%
Topic 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration	14.4	15%
Topic 7: Food supply, photosynthesis, breeding and crop protection	14.4	15%
Topic 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity	14.4	15%
Topic 2: Differentiation, the genome and mutations	9.6	10%
Topic 3: Evolution and genomic sequencing	9.6	10%
Topic 5: Metabolic rate and survival	9.6	10%
Topic 6: Environmental and genetic control of metabolism in micro-organisms	9.6	10%

Week by week

Week 1Section 1: DNA, replication and gene expression
Week 2Section 1: DNA, replication and gene expression
Week 3Section 1: DNA, replication and gene expression
Week 4Section 1: DNA, replication and gene expression, Section 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration
Week 5Section 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration
Week 6Section 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration
Week 7Section 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration
Week 8Section 4: Metabolic pathways and cellular respiration, Section 7: Food supply, photosynthesis, breeding and crop protection
Week 9Section 7: Food supply, photosynthesis, breeding and crop protection
Week 10Section 7: Food supply, photosynthesis, breeding and crop protection
Week 11Section 7: Food supply, photosynthesis, breeding and crop protection, Section 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity
Week 12Section 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity
Week 13Section 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity
Week 14Section 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity
Week 15Section 8: Animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour and biodiversity, Section 2: Differentiation, the genome and mutations
Week 16Section 2: Differentiation, the genome and mutations
Week 17Section 2: Differentiation, the genome and mutations, Section 3: Evolution and genomic sequencing
Week 18Section 3: Evolution and genomic sequencing
Week 19Section 3: Evolution and genomic sequencing
Week 20Section 3: Evolution and genomic sequencing, Section 5: Metabolic rate and survival
Week 21Section 5: Metabolic rate and survival
Week 22Section 5: Metabolic rate and survival, Section 6: Environmental and genetic control of metabolism in micro-organisms
Week 23Section 6: Environmental and genetic control of metabolism in micro-organisms
Week 24Section 6: Environmental and genetic control of metabolism in micro-organisms
Week 25A timed paper and two Section 2 style questions, then review every lost mark
Week 26A timed paper and two Section 2 style questions, then review every lost mark

Check your topics with the free test

Question paper	2 hours 30 minutes, 100 marks
Section 1	20 marks of multiple choice
Section 2	80 marks of written answers
Exam day 2027	Wednesday 12 May, 09:00 to 11:30

The key areas

DNA and the genome: the structure and replication of DNA, gene expression, cellular differentiation, the structure of the genome, mutations, evolution and genomic sequencing.
Metabolism and survival: metabolic pathways, cellular respiration, metabolic rate, conformers and regulators, adverse conditions, and the environmental and genetic control of metabolism in micro-organisms.
Sustainability and interdependence: food supply and photosynthesis, plant and animal breeding, crop protection, animal welfare, symbiosis, social behaviour, and the components of and threats to biodiversity.

The assignment

The course award also includes an assignment: a report on a biology investigation, 20 marks scaled to 25, worth 20% of the award. It is carried out in school, and this course does not cover it.

How this course maps the key areas

The course groups the key areas into eight sections, each with two lessons, Section 1 style multiple choice and Section 2 style questions. Set the planner above with the weeks you have and how sure you are of each section, and it splits your hours.

Try 2 questions

Question 1Section 1 style

Which describes the structure of RNA?

Question 2Section 1 style

A table of wheat yield against nitrogen fertiliser: 0 kg per hectare, 4.0 tonnes per hectare; 50, 6.0; 100, 7.2; 150, 7.6; 200, 7.6.
Nitrogen fertiliser (kg per hectare)	Yield (tonnes per hectare)
0	4.0
50	6.0
100	7.2
150	7.6
200	7.6

A field trial measured the yield of a wheat cultivar at five rates of nitrogen fertiliser. The table shows the results: 0 kg per hectare, 4.0 tonnes per hectare; 50 kg, 6.0 tonnes; 100 kg, 7.2 tonnes; 150 kg, 7.6 tonnes; 200 kg, 7.6 tonnes. Which conclusion do the data support?

Next step

Take the free test Take the course tour

Questions people ask

How long is the Higher Biology exam?

From session 2026-27 there is one question paper of 2 hours 30 minutes, 100 marks: Section 1 is 20 marks of multiple choice and Section 2 is 80 marks of written questions.

Is there coursework in Higher Biology?

Yes, an assignment: a report of 20 marks, scaled to 25, worth 20% of the award. The question paper is the other 80%.

Does this course cover Higher Human Biology?

No. It is built for Higher Biology only, not Human Biology, National 5 or Advanced Higher.