BIRKER ØD GY MN ASIUM / STX H F IB & KOSTSKOLE
IB BIRKERØD GYMNASIUM
02 IB Diploma Programme The 2-year IB Diploma Programme consists of two main elements: 1. The Subjects There are 6 main groups from each of which one subject must be chosen. Most subjects has two levels: You will study the subjects at either Higher Level (HL) and or Standard Level (SL). It is required that 3 subjects are studied at HL and 3 at SL. All subjects run over the 2 years, are academically challenging and end with a written examination, consisting of 2 or 3 papers (handwritten and no helping material allowed). The final Diploma grade in the subject is made up of the marks for the written exams, which are graded by external examiners, plus an Internal Assessment given by the teacher on the basis of various activities depending on the subject during the two years.
2. The Core A / Theory of Knowledge which is a theoretical/philosophical subject compulsory for all IB students. There is no exam, but each student must do an internal presentation and write an essay which is marked by an external examiner. B / The Extended Essay which the students write in a subject of their choice. The extended essay is a 4000-word paper which is also externally marked. The TOK essay and the extended essay count towards the final exam as they may be awarded up to 3 bonus points in all. C / Creativity, Activity and Service which is called CAS. Over the two years each student must attend a number of extracurricular activities, equally spread out on the three disciplines, both at the school and in the local community. The students will evaluate the learning outcomes which they gain from the CAS experiences.
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IB Subjects Normally, the student must choose one subject from each of the following 6 groups, 3 at higher level and 3 at standard level: 1. Language A This is the student’s mother-tongue or best language. We teach English A and Danish A, but if a student has another mother tongue, it is possible to study this as “self-taught” (only at SL). In the subject Literature A (Danish, English and self-taught) literary works are studied. In Language and Literature A (only for English) both literary works and a variety of non-literary sources, genres and media are studied. At A-level language and grammar are only taught insofar as it is relevant to the interpretation of the texts. 2. Language B The subjects in this group are second or foreign languages. We offer: Danish B, English B and French B, all predominantly linguistic in nature. The emphasis is on being able to communicate in various everyday situations and on getting a feeling for the culture of the countries where the language is spoken. At higher level two literary works are studied. Furthermore, we offer Spanish and Danish at beginner’s level (ab initio).
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3. Individuals and Societies We offer four subjects: History, which concentrates primarily on the 20th century: the consequences of the World Wars and the development of the big international organisations. Geography, which puts special emphasis on cultural aspects, environment and resources. Business Management, which is the rigorous and critical study of the ways in which individuals and groups interact in a dynamic business environment. Economics (HL + SL), which focuses on economics at a national and international level e.g. competitive markets, government intervention and economic policies 4. Experimental Sciences We offer four subjects: Biology, whose core topics are cells, biochemistry, genetics, health, and physiology. Physics, whose core topics are mechanics, waves, electricity and atomic and nuclear physics. Chemistry, which looks at the everyday perspective within atomic theories, acid/base, organic chemistry etc. Experiments play a very important part in all three subjects. Furthermore, we offer Environmental Systems and Societies (only at SL) which is a combination of Geography and Biology, focusing on environmental issues.
05 5. Mathematics Starting August 2019, there will be two IB Diploma Mathematics courses, each taught at two levels (SL and HL). The two subjects are: 1) Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches. This course has an emphasis on calculus and are for pure mathematicians and is aimed at students who will go on to study subjects such as Math, Engineering and Physics for example. 2) Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation. This course has an emphasis on statistics, modelling and use of technology and is aimed at students who will go on to study subjects such as Social Science, Biology, Psychology and Statistics for example.
6. Arts We offer two arts subjects: Visual Arts (HL+ SL) and Film SL. VA and Film are non-compulsory subjects. There are two sides to Visual Arts: Art Practice which emphasises on the artistic and aesthetic skills, and Analytic Evaluation which focuses on the student’s ability to understand and analyse the various forms of art and express this understanding in written form. Film SL encourages students to develop creative artistic skills through the exploration of film and multimedia, and to explore the art of communicating through the film medium, developing critical thinking and reflective analysis. Students engage with artistic, cultural, historical, global perspectives, and the development of film over time. Instead of Visual Arts or Film, it is possible to choose one more subject from either group 1, 2, 3 or 4.
06 Birkerød Gymnasium, HF, IB & Boarding School has been an IB World School since 1991, offering the upper secondary IB Diploma Programme to 16 to 19-year-old Danish and foreign students.
The mixture of many nationalities gives the school a unique international atmosphere in which not only English and Danish are spoken, but also a number of other tongues. Events during the year, such as our Global Cultural Fair and BIGMUN, a Model United Nations conference hosted by Birkerød Gymnasium with participants from a number of different countries, add to the global feeling. The IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous and demanding education which prepares the students for university. The programme is focused on not only teaching academic skills in a number of subjects but also teaching the students to become life-long learners with an international mindset and a feeling of responsibility towards the local and global community.
Birkerød is a Danish national school, situated a mere 25-minute train ride away from the centre of Copenhagen. The school accommodates approximately 1,100 students in two national programmes and the IB Diploma Programme. With approximately 300 Pre-IB and IB students we are one of the biggest IB World Schools in Denmark. The school is run on democratic principles with the emphasis on active student participation, influence and responsibility. We want a school where obligations and rights go hand in hand, a school where argumentation and dialogue prevail over authority.
The school is run on democratic principles with the emphasis on active student participation, influence and responsibility. 07
Birkerød Gymnasium
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Birkerød Gymnasium Søndervangen 56 DK–3460 Birkerød Denmark +45 45 16 82 20 mail@birkerød-gym.dk birke-gym.dk
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