Biology

Course outline

The IB Diploma course aims to develop a broad, general understanding of the principles of Biology.

Biology studies the interactions between all the species living on Earth, factors that can affect their success and efforts that can be taken to preserve the vast array of organisms in existence today.

Theoretical knowledge and the focus on current practical techniques will support your development as a future scientist. You will learn about the core concepts of biology and about the impact of biological research and how it links to everyday life. You will learn to apply your knowledge, investigate and solve problems in a range of contexts.

The core themes start with the building blocks and tools of Biology: cell biology, molecular biology, genetics, ecology, human physiology, evolution and biodiversity. The option will then expand upon the topic of human physiology

The higher level will study all of the above and will build on the topics of nucleic acids, metabolism, cell respiration and photosynthesis, plant biology, genetics and evolution and human physiology. The higher level explores human physiology in greater depth.

The SL course is assessed as follows Paper 1 (20%) 45mins 30 multiple choice questions

Paper 2 (40%) 1 hour 15 mins Section A: One data based question and several short answer questions Section B: One extended response question (from a choice of two)

Paper 3 (20%) 1 hour Section A: Several short answer questions from the core material Section B: Short answer and extended response questions from the option Internal Assessment (20%)

An individual practical project, to be carried out in the summer term of Year 12

The HL course is assessed as follows

Paper 1 (20%) 1 hour 40 multiple choice questions

Paper 2 (36%) 2 hours 15 mins Section A: One data based question and several short answer questions Section B: Two extended response questions (from a choice of three)

Paper 3 (24%) 1 hour 15 mins Section A: Several short answer questions from the core and AHL material Section B: Short answer and extended response questions from the option Internal Assessment (20%) An individual practical project, to be carried out in the summer term of Year 12

Enrichment

• Sixth Form Biology students are invited to attend and joint-lead ‘Dissection club’.

• We promote participation in the Intermediate Biology Olympiad for Year 12 students and the Biology Olympiad in Year 13.

• There is a residential field trip in the summer term in which students will put their ecology studies into practice.