Biology (HL/SL)

Entry Guidance

For students interested in taking HL Biology, it is recommended that they have successfully completed International GCSE Biology, International GCSE Coordinated Science, or a course of similar rigour.

Course Aims

There will be an emphasis on the nature of science running through the course, to be addressed through a practical approach. This approach will promote an understanding of how scientists justify knowledge claims and an understanding of the scientific world view, and will empower students to make sense of living systems through unifying themes. Through experience, knowledge and reflection, the student will become better trained to approach uncertainty scientifically and will develop aspects of the learner profile.

Course Content

• For both SL and HL: unity and diversity, form and function, interaction and interdependence, continuity and change

• Experimental programme: practical work, collaborative sciences project, scientific investigation

Assessment Outline

HL Assessment Component Weighting External Assessment (4 hours 30 minutes) 80%

• Paper 1: Multiple choice questions, data-based questions, questions on experimental work (2 hours)

• Paper 2: Data-based and short answer and extended-response questions (2 hours 30 minutes)

Internal Assessment 20%

• Scientific investigation

SL Assessment Component Weighting External Assessment (3 hours) 80%

• Paper 1: Multiple choice questions, data-based questions, questions on experimental work (1 hour 30 minutes)

• Paper 2: Short answer and extended-response questions (1 hour 30 minutes)

Internal Assessment 20%

• Scientific investigation

For Further Advice

Contact Sancho Cheung, Head of Science: Sancho.Cheung@dulwich-seoul.kr