WELCOME
DearStudent,
UWCAtlanticisadeliberatelydiverse,mission-driveninternationalcollegewith astrongcommitmenttotheeducationalprinciplesofKurtHahn,itsfounder. Wemaintainapassionatebeliefintheimportanceofeducationasaforce forgoodintheworld-tounitepeople,nationsandculturesforpeaceand asustainablefuture
Since1962UWCAtlantichasentrustedstudentswithauthenticresponsibility andguidedthemtomakeappropriatechoicesandtolearnfromtheirmistakes. Itisthroughthistrust,responsibilityandaccountabilitythatstudentslearnthat theycanmakeadifference.Initsearlyyears,UWCAtlanticco-foundedthe InternationalBaccalaureateDiplomaProgramme,offeredtodayatallUWCs andthousandsofschoolsworldwide
Forthefirsttimeindecades,agroupofstudentsfromour2023-2024cohorthad theopportunitytopioneeranewversionoftheIBDiplomathroughapartnership betweentheCollegeandtheInternationalBaccalaureate,aimingtotransform educationglobally.Twoyearslater,wesawthispioneeringcohortgraduateand beofferedplacesamongsttheworld'sleadinguniversities,suchasHarvardand Stanford Nowinitsthirdyear,theSystemsTransformationPathwayisopento evenmorestudents
PleaseseemoredetailsabouttheSystemsTransformationPathwayandallthe othersubjectsonofferatUWCAtlanticwithinthisbooklet.
NaheedBardai Principal
TheIBDiplomaProgramme
UWCAtlantic,likealltheUnitedWorldColleges,offerstheInternationalBaccalaureateDiplomaProgramme(IBDP) TheIBDiplomaisadeliberatesynthesisofthespecialisationrequiredinsomenationalsystemsandthebreadth providedinothers.
In2023-2024,UWCAtlanticwillbecometheonlyschoolintheworldtoofferanewpathwaywithintheIBDP:the SystemsTransformationPathway TheSystemsTransformationPathwaysupportsourambitionthataUWCAtlantic educationdevelops“bridgebuildersandcompassionateleaders,empoweringthemtogobeyondtreatingsymptoms tounderstandrootcausesandinitiatetransformativesolutionstohumanandenvironmentalcrises.”Thispioneering anddistinctivenewIBDPpathwayhasbeendevelopedoutofaparternshipbetweenUWCAtlanticandthe InternationalBaccalaureate
BothpathwaysbelowleadtostudentsreceivingthefullIBDiploma,subjecttomeetingthegraduationrequirements.
TwoAcademicPathwaysintheIBDiploma
CURRENTIBDIPLOMAPROGRAMME
StudentscompletingthefullIBDParerequiredtostudy sixsubjectsacrossdifferentacademicareas
Thesixacademicareasare:
Group1:StudiesinLanguageandLiterature
Group2:LanguageAcquisition
Group3:IndividualsandSocieties
Group4:ExperimentalSciences
Group5:Mathematics
Group6:TheArts
StudentsmustchooseonesubjectfromGroups1-5 TheymustthenselecteitheronesubjectfromGroup6 orchooseasecondsubjectfromGroups1to5.
StudentsmustchoosethreesubjectsatHigherLevel andthreesubjectsatStandardLevel
Note:EnvironmentalSystemsandSocietiesisan interdisciplinarycoursethatcanbechosenasaGroup3 oraGroup4subject
FindoutmoreabouttheIBDiplomaatwww.ibo.org
SYSTEMSTRANSFORMATIONPATHWAY
TakingtheplaceoftwoStandardLevelsubjectsinthe IBDPisabespokecoursespeciallydesignedatUWC Atlantictoequipgraduatestotakeonsomeofthe greatestglobalchallengesonaclimate-changed planet:transformingthefoodsystem;advancinga justenergytransition;reversingbiodiversitylossand restoringecosystems;andrespondingtomigration anddisplacementatanunprecedentedscale
StudentspursuingtheSystemsTransformation PathwaymustchoosethreeIBDPsubjectsatHigher LevelandonesubjectatStandardLevel TheSystems TransformationPathwaycourseisworthtwo StandardLevelsubjects.
Toensurebreadthintheirstudies,studentsare requiredtotakeatleastonesubjectfromGroups1 and2andatleastonesubjectfromGroups4and5.
Studentscantakeuptotwocoursesfromeach academicarea(Groups1-6),butnomorethantwo subjectscombinedfromGroups1and2.Beyondthis therearenorestrictionsontheirsubjectchoices
FindoutmoreaboutthenewSystemsTransformation Pathwayat https://wwwatlanticcollegeorg/transformingeducation
Subject Choices 2025-2027
Higher Level
Standard Level
Systems Transformation Pathway
3HigherLevel subjects
Systems Transformation Pathway
1Standard Levelsubject
EnglishA SpanishA
ChineseA (Mandarin)
EnglishB
FrenchB
SpanishB
EnglishA
SpanishA
ChineseA (Mandarin)
School Supported Self-Taught Literature
EnglishB
FrenchB
SpanishB
French ab initio
Spanish ab initio
Mandarin ab initio
Economics
Environmental Systemsand Societies
Geography
GlobalPolitics History
Socialand Cultural Anthropology
Economics
Environmental Systemsand Societies
Geography GlobalPolitics
Socialand Cultural Anthropology
Biology Chemistry
Environmental Systemsand Societies
Physics
Analysis and Approaches
Applications and Interpretation
Biology Chemistry
Environmental Systemsand Societies
Physics
Analysisand Approaches
Applications and Interpretation
Choosing a Pathway and Subjects
The IB Diploma Programme and the Systems Transformation Pathway
Step1
Programmeof townhalls including subjectchoice information
Subjectchoiceform completed,including asecondsetof subjectsforthose applyingtothe Systems Transformation Pathway
Applicationsduefor thefirststageof selectionsforthe Systems Transformation Pathway
27Mayand3 June 1July 15July
Diagnostictesting
Finalstage selectionsforthe Systems Transformation Pathway
DuringOrientation
TosupportyouwithchoosingtherightpathwayandsetofsubjectsintheIBDP:
Timetable finalisedwith tutor
DuringOrientation
Step1:Weofferaseriesoftownhallmeetingsforstudentsandfamiliesintheincomingclass,includingonespecificallyon subjectchoices,incluidngthenewSystemsTransformationPathway.
Step 2: Along with various enrolment forms, you will receive one especially to make your subject choices. To help you complete this form you can refer to the information in this booklet and review the video recordings of the townhall meetings.TheapplicationprocessandformforthethirdcohortoftheSystemsTransformationPathwaywillopenatthe sametime.StudentsapplyingtothePathwaywillbeaskedtosubmittwosetsofsubjectchoices:asetof4subjectsthey wouldtakealongsidethePathway,andincasetheyarenotselected,aset6subjectsinthecurrentIBDiploma.
Step3:Intheorientationprocess,allfirst-yearstudentswilltakeacognitiveabilityassessment,adiagnostictestinMaths andcompleteanEnglishwritingexercise.Thisistogiveusanindicationofyouradvisedlevelinyoursubjectselections. StudentsshortlistedforthefinalstageoftheselectionprocessfortheSystemsTransformationPathwaywillparticipatein acollaborativeselectiontaskduringtheorientationprocess.
Step4:Yourtimetablewillbefinalisedwithyourtutorafterthediagnosticresultshavebeencompleted
Enrolment in the Systems Transformation Pathway is subject to a selection process and the cohort will be finalised prior to the first day of classes
AllotherIBsubjectsareofferedsubjecttoavailability,timetablingconstraintsandstudentnumbers Incaseasubjectis oversubscribed,randomselectionmightbeappliedtodecidewhocantakethesubject Affectedstudentswillbenotified inadvanceifthisislikelytohappen,allowingthemtohaveanalternativeplan Pleasenotethatwerequireaminimum uptakeof6studentstoofferanyofthesubjects Wereservetherighttomakethedecisionnottoofferasubjectatshort noticeatthebeginningofterm
HereisalinktotheIBsubjectguide
System Transformation Pathway
Leadership for Just Futures
OurnewSystemsTransformationPathwayisdesignedtogiveUWCgraduatestheeducationtheyneedtomeetthe challengesoflivingandthrivinginaclimate-changedworld.DesignedforthispurposeatUWCAtlantic,in collaborationwithyoungpeopleandtheInternationalBaccalaureate,thispathwaypreparesstudentstograpple withsomeofthemostcomplexglobalchallengesconfrontingus:howtofeed8billionpeopleonawarmingplanet, howtorestoreandprotectthebiodiversityofecosystems,howtotransitionawayfrompollutingenergysources quicklyandequitably,howtorespondtomassdisplacementsandmigrationsasaresultofconflict,climatechange anddisasters.
Recognisingthatthepoliticalspaceswherethesechallengescouldbesolvedareincreasinglypolarised,andour timelineforturningthingsaroundistightening,studentswillpractisebecomingcompetentatdeepcollaboration acrossdifferencesanddisciplines.Thecomplexityofthesechallengescanappearoverwhelming,sointhispathway itisessentialthatstudentsinterrogateandunderstandtheinterconnectedrootcausesoftheinjusticesand complexcrises,ecological,social,politicalandeconomicthattheyseeunfoldingintheworldsimultaneously.
Thispathwayisfundamentallyaction-oriented;itreplaceswrittenexamsandclassroom-basedlearningwith relevant,ambitious,necessaryworkincomplexandauthenticreal-worldcontexts Thiscurriculumequipsstudents togobeyondtreatingsymptomstoadvancetransformativechangeatasystemslevel Tobeeffectiveatthis, studentswillbenefitfromunderstandingandapprenticingthemselvestosystemsinaspecificimpactarea-food, biodiversity,energy,ormigration Withintheseareastheywillpractisetakinggoodactionalongsidepeersfroman incrediblydiverseUWCcohort,expertsandleadersamongstourinfluentialalumnicommunityandpartner organisations,andcommunitiesleadingchangeontheground
System Transformation Pathway
Leadership for Just Futures
Inthiscoursestudentswill:
Focusonunderstandingandaddressingthefundamentallylinkedrootcausesofsocioecologicalcrises; Deconstructandinterveneintothepowerfulnarrativesthatshapeattitudesandbehaviours; Collaborateacrossdifferencesanddisciplinestounderstandglobalforcesandlocalcomplexities; Practise unsettling unjust status quos and taking good action to effect lasting and meaningful change where needed.
Thecourseismadeofthefollowingcomponents:
Thecourseisorganisedinthiswayoverthetwoyears:
Forfurtherdetailsontheprogramme,curriculumandassessment,pleasevisitthecoursemiocrosite: https://sitesgooglecom/uwcatlanticorg/transformingsystems
IB Diploma Programme Core
AllstudentsmustcompletetheIBDiplomaProgrammeCore.
Thethreeelementsofthecoreare:
TheoryofKnowledge(TOK):Acourseinwhichstudentsreflectonthenatureofknowledgeandonhowweclaim toknowwhatweknow, TheExtendedEssay(EE):Anindependent,self-directedpieceofresearch,finishingwitha4,000-wordpaper, Creativity,ActivityandService(CAS):Studentsparticipateincreative,activeandserviceactivitieseachweekin additiontoayearlyProjectWeek.
TheoryofKnowledgeandtheExtendedEssayareworthupto3bonusIBDPpoints.
AtUWCAtlantic,studentsareexpectedtogobeyondtheIBrequirementsofCASandengagefullywiththecocurricularprogramme,todevelopleadershipandcollaborationskills,andparticipateinmeaningfulserviceactivities throughoutthecollegeandUWCAtlanticcommunity
Subject Choices
Group 1: Studies in Language and Literature
English
Language and Literature (English A)
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
Level
How is this course structured (units, modules, key topics)?
TheEnglishALanguageandLiteraturecourseintroducesthecriticalstudyandinterpretationofwrittenandspokentexts fromawiderangeofliteraryformsandnonliterarytext-types AcrossthevariousEnglishclassesawiderangeofgenresare coveredwithwritersincludingShakespeare,Akala,ChinuaAchebe,SeamusHeaney,WilliamBlake,CarolAnnDuffy,Oscar Wilde,LilianLeeandJaneAusten Anequalnumberofnon-litearytextsbalancesoutthecourse Theformalanalysisof textsissupplementedbyawarenessthatmeaningisnotfixedbutcanchangeinrespecttocontextsofproductionand consumption Independentreadingisanessentialpartofthiscourse
AssessmentisongoingwiththeIBoralexamsattheendofthefirstyear Year2focusisonfinalexamsandtheHigherLevel Essay
What can I expect to learn about in this course (main aims, objectives and content)?
Arangeofliteraryandnon-literarytextsarestudied Differentgenres,placesandtimeperiodsarecoveredaswellasworks intranslation
How will this course be assessed (coursework and examination requirements)?
HigherLevelandStandardLevelstuedntscoverthesamecorecontent TheoralexamattheendofYear1osthesamefor HLandSL RecordingofthsearesenttotheIBforassessing ThemaindifferencebetweenHLandSLisHLstudentsstudy additionaltextsandhaveadditionalcourseworkrequirements HLstudentswritea1500-wordessaywhichtheysubmitin Term4.
TherearetwoexternallyassessedexamsattheendofYear2 Paper1istheanalysisofpreviouslyunseentexts,Paper2is anessaybasedonworksstudiesinthesecondyearofthecourse AtHigherlevel,theexamsareworth60%ofthefinal grade,with20%forcourseworkand20%fororalexmas.ForStandardLevelstudents,thefinalexamsareworth70%of theirfinalgradewithoralexamsworth30%
What kind of students are suited to this course?
Previousexperienceofthestudyofliteratureisdesirableforthiscoursealthoughdependingonastudent’seducational backgrounditisnotessential
StudentswhoarebilingualmaychoosetostudytwolanguagesinGroup1andomitGroup2.
What university courses or career pathways might follow on from this course?
Journalism Media
Law
Education Politics
Linguistics
Spanish Language and Literature (Spanish A)
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
How is this course structured (units, modules, key topics)?
TheSpanishALanguageandLiteraturecourseintroducesthecriticalstudyandinterpretationofwrittenandspokentexts fromawiderangeofliteraryformsandnon-literarytext-types Theformalanalysisoftextsissupplementedbyawareness tahtmeaningisnotfixedbutcanchnageinrespectstocontecxtsofproductionandconsumption.Independentreadingis anessentialpartofthiscourse
What can I expect to learn about in this course (main aims, objectives and content)?
Arangeofliteraryandnon-literarytextsarestudies.Differentgenres,placesandtimeperiodsarecoveredaswellasworks intranslation
How will this course be assessed (coursework and examination requirements)?
HigherLevelandStandardLevelstudentscoverthesamecorecontent.TheoralexamattheendofYear1isthesamefor HLandSL RecordingsofthesearesenttotheIBforassessing ThemaindifferencebetweenHLandSLisHLstudents studyadditionaltextsandhaveadditionalcourseworkrequirements HLstudentswritea1500-wordEssaywhichthey submitinTerm4
TherearetwoexternallyassessedexamsattheendofYear2 Paper1istheanalysisofpreviouslyunseentexts,Paper2is anessaybasedonworksstudiedinthesecondyearofthecourse AtHigherLevel,theexamsareworth60%ofthefinal grade,with20%forcourseworkand20%fororalexams ForStandardLevelstudents,thefinalexamsareworth70%of theirfinalgradewithoralexamsworth30%.
What kind of students are suited to this course?
Previousexperienceofthestudyofliteratureisdesirableforthiscoursealthoughdependingonastudent’seducational backgrounditisnotessential.
StudentswhoarebilingualmaychoosetostudytwolanguagesinGroup1andomitGroup2
What university courses or career pathways might follow on from this course?
Translation Journalism Media Law
Education Politics Linguistics
Here is a link to the Language A Language and Literature Subject Brief
Chinese Language and Literature (Mandarin A)
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
How is this course structured (units, modules, key topics)?
TheMandarinChineseALanguageandLiteraturecourseintroducesthecriticalstudyandinterpretationofwrittenand spokentextsfromawiderangeofliteraryformsandnon-literarytext-types Theformalanalysisoftextsissupplemented byawarenesstahtmeaningisnotfixedbutcanchnageinrespectstocontecxtsofproductionandconsumption. Independentreadingisanessentialpartofthiscourse
What can I expect to learn about in this course (main aims, objectives and content)?
Arangeofliteraryandnon-literarytextsarestudies.Differentgenres,placesandtimeperiodsarecoveredaswellasworks intranslation
How will this course be assessed (coursework and examination requirements)?
HigherLevelandStandardLevelstudentscoverthesamecorecontent.TheoralexamattheendofYear1isthesamefor HLandSL RecordingsofthesearesenttotheIBforassessing ThemaindifferencebetweenHLandSLisHLstudents studyadditionaltextsandhaveadditionalcourseworkrequirements HLstudentswritea1500-wordEssaywhichthey submitinTerm4
TherearetwoexternallyassessedexamsattheendofYear2 Paper1istheanalysisofpreviouslyunseentexts,Paper2is anessaybasedonworksstudiedinthesecondyearofthecourse AtHigherLevel,theexamsareworth60%ofthefinal grade,with20%forcourseworkand20%fororalexams ForStandardLevelstudents,thefinalexamsareworth70%of theirfinalgradewithoralexamsworth30%.
What kind of students are suited to this course?
Previousexperienceofthestudyofliteratureisdesirableforthiscoursealthoughdependingonastudent’seducational backgrounditisnotessential.
StudentswhoarebilingualmaychoosetostudytwolanguagesinGroup1andomitGroup2
What university courses or career pathways might follow on from this course?
Translation Journalism Media Law
Education Politics Linguistics
Here is a link to the Language A Language and Literature Subject Brief
School Supported Self-Taught Languages (Language A)
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered? Standard Level Higher Level
How is this course structured (units, modules, key topics)?
TheSelf-TaughtLanguageA:Literaturecourseintroducesstudentstotheanalysisofliterarytexts Itisthecoursethrough whichtheIB’spolicyofmother-tongueentitlementisdelivered Thecourseisautomaticallyavailablein57languages By specialrequest,thecoursemaybestudiedinanylanguagewithasufficientlydevelopedwrittenliterature.
AsaSelf-Taughtclassstudentswillnotbeinclassesforthefulltwoyears Theirstudytimeismadeupoftaughtlessons withateacher(inEnglish)andstructuredself-taughtsessionswheretheyareexpectedtoworkindependentlyintheirown language.
Term1:Taughtlessonsinwhichliteratureintranslationisread TheseclassesareconductedinEnglish
Term2:Structuredself-taughtsessions,Thefirsthalfofthetermisself-study Studentsareexpectedtowork independentlyintheirownlanguage.Thesecondhalfofthetermistaughtlessons.
Term3:Studentresponsibilityforself-taughtsessions
Term4:Taughtlessonsinpreparationforexams
What can I expect to learn about in this course (main aims, objectives and content)?
Self-TaughtclassesareconductedinEnglish Transferableskillsarelearned,whichstudentscanthenapplytotexts writtenintheirownlanguage
How will this course be assessed (coursework and examination requirements)?
IndividualOralinTerm4(inthestudent'sownlanguage,30%)
Finalwrittenexams:Paper1andPaper2(inthestudent'sownlanguage,70%)
What kind of students are suited to this course?
Allstudentshavetostudyan'A'language:theirmothertongueorbestlanguage ForlanguagesnottaughtattheCollege, studentsmayopttostudytheirmothertongueasaSelf-TaughtLanguageatStandardLevel
What university courses or career pathways might follow on from this course?
Note:SomecountriesrequirestudentstostudytheirownGroup1languagefortheirIBdiplomaandforaccesstohigher educationinstitutions
Translation Journalism Media Law
Education Politics Linguistics
Group 2: Language Acquisition
Language B: French, Spanish and English
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
How is this course structured (units, modules, key topics)?
Thecourseisstructuredaroundfivethemes:Identity;Experiences;SharingthePlanet;HumanIngenuity;Social Organisation Studentsexplorearangeofwrittentexttypesaswellasaudioandaudiovisualtexts AtHigherLevel, studentsstudytwoliteraryworks,whichareanimportantelementoftheHigherLeveloralexam.
What can I expect to learn about in this course (main aims, objectives and content)?
Workingwiththesebroadthemes,studentswilldevelopproductive,receptiveandinteractiveskillswhichcanbeapplied toarangeofeverydaysituations.Studentswillalsodevelopanawarenessofthetargetlanguageandtherelevantcultures Throughstudyingarangeofdifferenttexttypes,bothspokenandwritten,studentslearnandexpandtheirvocabulary, extendtheirgrammaticalvariation,whilstaimingtocontrolaccuracy Studentsalsolearntoadjustthestyleandregisterof thelanguageaccordingtotexttypeandcontext Developingspokenfluencyisanotherimportantskill
How will this course be assessed (coursework and examination requirements)?
TheInternalAssessmentisanoralexam,basedonthethemesand/oraliteraryworkstudiedinthecourse(25%)
ThePaper1finalexamassesseswritingskills(25%)
ThePaper2finalexamassessesreceptiveskills,readingandlistening(50%).
What kind of students are suited to this course?
Thecourseisaimedatstudentswhohavepreviousknowledgeofthelanguage,whowanttodeveloptheirlanguageskills further.TheLanguageBcourseshouldalsoprovidestudentswithanappropriatelevelofchallenge.Pleasenote:ifyouare bilingualorfluentinalanguage,youarenoteligibletostudyitinGroup2andshouldchoosetostudythisasasecond Group1(LanguageA)subjectandachievetheIBBilingualDiplomaorchooseadifferentGroup2language
TheskillswhicharedevelopedintheHigherLevelandStandardLevelcoursearethesame,asarethethemesstudied,but HigherLevelstudentshavemoreteachinghoursandarelikelytodeveloptheirskillsfurtherandtheywillalsostudy literaryworksasarequirementofthecourse StudentswhohavelimitedexperienceofEnglishareencouragedtotake EnglishBHigherLevel,astheadditionalteachinghourswillhelptobuilduplanguageskills,proficiencyandconfidence
What university courses or career pathways might follow on from this course?
FromB1toC2levelsintheEuropeanFrameworkofrelevantlanguages(DELF&DELE)
Translation Universitycourseswithaninternationalcomponent
Here is a link to the IB Languages B Subject Brief
Language ab initio: French, Spanish and Mandarin
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
How is this course structured (units, modules, key topics)?
Thiscourseforbeginnersisstructuredaroundfivethemes:Identity;Experiences;SharingthePlanet;HumanIngenuity; SocialOrganisation TheAbInitiosyllabuspresentsfourtopicsforeachofthefivethemes,foratotaloftwentytopicsthat mustbeaddressedintheLanguageAbInitiocourse.Forexample,underthethemeExperiences,studentswillexplorefour topics:DailyRoutine;Leisure;HolidaysandFestivals;Celebrations Studentsexplorearangeofwrittentexttypesaswellas audioandaudiovisualtexts
What can I expect to learn about in this course (main aims, objectives and content)?
Workingwithbroadthemes,studentswilldevelopproductive,receptiveandinteractiveskillswhichcanbeappliedtoa rangeofeverydaysituations Studentswillalsodevelopanawarenessofthetargetlanguageandtherelevant culturesOverthecourse,thestudentswillbuilduptheirvocabularyandlearngrammarinordertodevelopalltheir languageskills,relatingtothetopicsandthemes.
How will this course be assessed (coursework and examination requirements)?
TheInternalAssessmentisanoralexam,basedonanimagerelatingtooneofthethemesstudiedinthecourse The InternalAssessmentisworth25%oftheoverallgrade.
ThePaper1finalexamassesseswritingskills,wherestudentshavetocompletetwowrittentasks,eachfromachoice ofthree Thispaperisworth25%oftheoverallgrade
ThePaper2finalexamassessesreceptiveskills,readingandlisteningandthesetwosectionsmakeuptheremaining 50%oftheoverallmark.
What kind of students are suited to this course?
LanguageAbInitioisalanguageacquisitioncourseforstudentswithnopreviousexperienceinthelanguage,orvery limitedexperience.Ifyouhavepreviouslystudiedthelanguageinschool,youshouldchoosetostudyLanguageBinstead.
What university courses or career pathways might follow on from this course?
FromA2toB1levelsintheEuropeanFrameworkofrelevantlanguages(DELF&DELE)
Translation
Here is a link to the IB Languages Ab Initio Subject Brief
Group 3: Individuals and Societies Economics
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
Howisthiscoursestructured(units,modules,keytopics)?
Theeconomicscourseisfocusedoninquiry-basedteachingandlearning,inwhichstudentsaregiventheopportunityto exploreeconomictheoriesandglobalissuesusingreal-worldexamples.ThecoursefollowsthefollowingunitsatHL/SL:
Unit1:IntroductiontoEconomics
WhatisEconomicsandhowdoEconomistsapproachtheworld?
Unit2:Microeconomics
Howdoindividualmarketswork/behavethroughthroughtheperspectiveofconsumers,producersandthe government
Unit3:Macroeconomics
ExaminesthewaytheeconomyworksonanationallevelfocusingonmacroeconomicobjectsofInflation, Unemployment,Growth,andEquality.
Unit4:GlobalEconomics
Investigateshowandwhycountriestrade,globalinterdependence,humandevelopmentandsustainability.
HLorSL?
HLstudentsexploretopicsingreaterdepthandbreadthcomparedtoSLstudentsForexample,HLstudentscover additionaltopicsinmicroeconomicsandmacroeconomics,suchastheoryofthefirmandeconomicdevelopment
QuantitativeTechniques:HLstudentsarerequiredtohaveastrongeremphasisonquantitativemethodsandskills, includingmorecomplexcalculations,anadditionalexamandtheuseofeconomicmodels
WhatcanIexpecttolearnaboutinthiscourse(mainaims,objectivesandcontent)?
Studentswillexplorehoweconomieswork,fosteringunderstandingacrossnationsandculturesStudentslearnabout supplyanddemand,helpingtosetfairpricesandhowchoicescanbemadeinmarketsandsociety
Studentswillgainanunderstandingaboutcoremacroeconomicobjectivesaroundunemployment,inflation,economic growthandthedistributionofincomeandwealthinordertopromotestabilityandglobalharmony.Exploringdifferent typesofmarketsfostersfaircompetition,culturalawarenessandourinterconnectednature.
StudentswillalsodiscoverhowgovernmentscanusepoliciestosupportpeopleandbuildstrongercommunitiesThrough learningaboutinternationaltradeandeconomicdevelopment,studentsgaininsightsintoglobalinterconnectedness, promotingunityandsustainabilityforabrighterfuture
Howwillthiscoursebeassessed(courseworkandexaminationrequirements)?
Paper1:Essays
Paper2:Dataresponseansweringquestionsbasedonanewsstoryand/studyaselectionof international/developmenteconomicdata
Paper3(HigherLevelonly):Quantitativemethods:Shortanswercalculationsbasedontheentiresyllabuswhich exploresthemechanicsofeconomics
Internalassessment:Acreativeeconomicassessmentbasedonanup-to-datenewsarticleselectedbythestudentthat isexternallymoderated
Economics
Whatkindofstudentsaresuitedtothiscourse?
Theeconomicscourseemphasisesthedevelopmentof:strongwritten,verbal,anddiagrammaticcommunicationskills; criticalandcomplexthinkingandnumeracyskills;andethicalconsiderationsthatwillassiststudentsinpreparingforthe futureglobalworkplace
Ifyouareinterestedinhowsocietyallocatesscarceresourcestopeoplewithunlimitedwants,orwanttoknowhowthe worldworksthenEconomicsisthesubjectforyou
Whatuniversitycoursesorcareerpathwaysmightfollowonfromthiscourse?
CompletinganIBEconomicscourseopensmanydoorsforyourfuturestudiesandcareer,asyouwillgainkeyskillsof problemsolving,dataanalysisandcommunication
Herearesomeuniversitycoursesyoumightconsider: Economics
BusinessAdministration Marketing Finance PoliticalScience InternationalRelations Law
EnvironmentalStudies DataScience
Futurecareerpathsyoumightfollowinclude,butarenotlimitedto:
Economist
FinancialAnalyst BusinessConsultant PolicyAdvisor
MarketResearchAnalyst Accountant
InvestmentBanker Journalist CivilService
Geography
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
Howisthiscoursestructured(units,modules,keytopics)?
Unit1ChangingPopulation
Populationandeconomicdevelopmentpatterns,changingpopulationandplacesandpopulationchallengesand opportunities
Unit2GlobalClimateandVulnerability
Causesofglobalclimatechange,consequencesofglobalclimatechangeandrespondingtoclimatechangeand buildingresilience.
Unit3GlobalResourceConsumptionandSecurity
Globaltrendsinconsumption,impactsofchangingtrends–theWater-Food-Energynexusandresourcestewardship possibilities
Unit4PowerPlacesandNetworks
Globalinteractionsandglobalpower,globalnetworksandflowsandhumanandphysicalinfluencesonglobal interactions.
Unit5HumanDevelopmentandDiversity
Developmentopportunities,changingidentitiesandculturesandthepowerofplacestoresistoracceptchange
Unit6GlobalRisksandResilience
Geopoliticalandeconomicrisks,environmentalrisksandlocalandglobalresilience
WhatcanIexpecttolearnaboutinthiscourse(mainaims,objectivesandcontent)?
GeographyisthestudyofplacesandsystemsandtheinterconnectivitybetweenpeopleandtheirenvironmentsItisa current,dynamicandrelevantsubjectandsitsperfectlywiththeUWCmissionstatementofeducationforasustainable futureGeographyexamineskeyglobalissues,suchaspoverty,sustainabilityandclimatechangeItconsidersexamples anddetailedcasestudiesatavarietyofscales,fromlocaltoregional,nationalandinternational GeographytakesadvantageofitspositiontoexaminerelevantconceptsandideasfromawidevarietyofdisciplinesThis helpsstudentsdevelopanappreciationof,andarespectfor,alternativeapproaches,viewpointsandideas
Howwillthiscoursebeassessed(courseworkandexaminationrequirements)?
Paper1(35%):3questionsforHigherLeveland2questionsforStandardLevelEachquestionincludesdataresponse, shortanswersand1essay
Paper2(25%HigherLevel,40%StandardLevel):3dataresponse/shortanswerquestionsbasedonUnits1,2and3,an infographicquestionand1essay.
Paper3(20%HigherLevelonly):2essaysbasedonUnits4,5and6. Internalassessment(20%HigherLevel,25%StandardLevel):aninquirybasedapproach,centredonariverfieldtrip thatisexternallymoderated
Whatkindofstudentsaresuitedtothiscourse?
Thecurriculumsuitsstudentswhoarecurious,whohaveaninterestininternationalrelationsandcurrentaffairs,who questioneverythingandwhostrivetofindsolutionstothemanyissueswearefacingtoday.Thereisnorequirementto havestudiedgeographybutyoushouldhaveanaturalinterestintheworldaroundyou
Whatuniversitycoursesorcareerpathwaysmightfollowonfromthiscourse?
PopularpathwayswithIBgeographyincludeinternationalrelations,NGOs,surveying,cartography,conservation, sustainability,urbanresilience,wasteandwatermanagement,environmentalplanning,andtourismAlsogovernment andpolitics,researchorganisations,climatemitigationandadaption,mediaandlaw
Global Politics
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
Howisthiscoursestructured(units,modules,keytopics)?
CoreTopics
UnderstandingPowerandGlobalPolitics:
Examinestherolesofpoliticalactors,includingstates,internationalorganisationsandindividuals,inshapingglobal affairs.
Focusesonthekeyconceptsofpower,sovereignty,legitimacyandinterdependence.
ThematicStudies
Rightsandjustice:
Exploresthechallengesofprotectingandpromotinghumanrightsinaglobalisedworld Examinesthedifferenttypesofrightsandtheimpactsofglobalisationonhumanrights.
Developmentandsustainability:
Examinesthechallengesofpromotingsustainabledevelopmentandreducingpoverty Focusesontheenvironmental,social,andeconomicfactorsthatcontributetosustainabledevelopment.
Peaceandconflict:
Examinesthecausesandconsequencesofconflictandthechallengesofbuildingandsustainingpeace Focusesontheroleofinternationalorganisations,NGOs,andcivilsocietyinpromotingpeaceandresolvingconflict.
HLExtension:GlobalPoliticalChallenges
StudentsconductindependentresearchoncasestudiesthatconnecttothefollowingHLtopicareas:
Borders Environment Equality
HealthIdentity
Poverty Security Technology
WhatcanIexpecttolearnaboutinthiscourse(mainaims,objectivesandcontent)?
Throughoutthecourseissuessuchashumanrights,developmentandconflictareexploredthroughanexplicitlypolitical lens;politicsprovidesauniquelyrichcontextinwhichtoexplorehowpeopleandpowerinteractAkeyaimofthecourseis toactivelyengagewithglobalpoliticalissues,thereforethecourseworkelementinvolvesproducingareportonapolitical issuethatthestudentshaveengagedthemselvesin
Howwillthiscoursebeassessed(courseworkandexaminationrequirements)?
StudentsareassessedthroughacombinationofinternalandexternalassessmentsThewrittenexaminationconsistsof twopapers,eachlasting1.5hoursThefirstpaperconsistsofstructuredquestionsbasedonarangeofcasestudies,while thesecondpaperconsistsofessayquestionsthatrequirestudentstodemonstratetheirknowledgeandunderstandingof thecourseconceptsandtheoriesTheindividualresearchprojectisamajorcomponentofthecourse,andrequires studentstoengageinindependentresearchandanalysisonaglobalpoliticalissueoftheirchoice.Theprojectisassessed bytheteacherandexternallymoderatedbytheIB.
Global Politics
Howwillthiscoursebeassessed(courseworkandexaminationrequirements)?
Paper1(SLandHL):Source-basedpaperthataddressesthecoretopicsandsourceanalysisskillsinanintegratedway Sourcesmayincludetext,images,diagramsandinfographics
Paper2(SLandHL):Essayresponsepaperbasedonprescribedcontentfromthethematicstudies.Studentsanswertwo questions:onefocusedonaparticularthematicstudy,andoneintegratingquestionthatdrawslinksacrossthethematic studiesaswellasthecoretopics
Paper3(HLonly):Stimulus-basedpaperbasedontheHLextensiononglobalpoliticalchallenges.Thequestionsrelatetoa particularitemortopicpresentedthroughthestimulus;studentssupporttheirresponseswithevidencefromtheir previouslyresearchedcasestudies
EngagementProject(InternalAssessment):Studentsselectapoliticalissueandexploreitthroughresearchand engagementwithdiversestakeholders Theexperientiallearningprocessincludesexploration,planning,research, engagementactivities,analysisandreflection Thefinaloutcomeisawrittenreport Additionally,HLstudentsconduct furtherresearchtoinformandformulatearecommendationforaddressingtheidentifiedpoliticalissue
Whatkindofstudentsaresuitedtothiscourse?
Globalpoliticsisacourseforstudentswhowanttounderstandmoreabouthowtheworldtheyliveinworks,whatmakes itchange,orwhatpreventsitfromchanging.Thecoursedrawsonavarietyofdisciplinarytraditionsinthestudyofpolitics andinternationalrelations,andmorebroadlyinthesocialsciencesandhumanities Studentsbuildtheirknowledgeand understandingbycriticallyengagingwithcontemporarypoliticalissuesandchallengesthatinterestthem
Whatuniversitycoursesorcareerpathwaysmightfollowonfromthiscourse?
StudentswhostudyGlobalPoliticshavegoneontostudythefollowingsubjectsatuniversity,amongothers: internationalrelations politicalscience developmentandsustainability law diplomacyandinternationalaffairs nonprofitmanagement publicpolicy journalism
History
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
Howisthiscoursestructured(units,modules,keytopics)?
TheHistorycourseatUWCAtlanticcomeswithtwooptions-afocusonEuropeoronAfricaandtheMiddleEast Both coursesengagewithcommonthemes Themaindifferenceisinthecasestudiesweexamine
HistoryofEurope
TheMovetoGlobalWar-Japan,ItalyandGermanyandtheoutbreakofWorldWarII EuropeandiplomacyuptoWorldWar1andintheinterwarperiod TheChineseCivilWarandtheriseofMao. LateimperialRussia,theBolshevikRevolutionandtheriseofStalin
HistoryofAfricaandtheMiddleEast
ConflictandIntervention-theRwandanGenocideandthewarinKosovo. TheArab-Israeliconflict TheriseofNasserandmodernEgypt TheriseofMohammadRezaPahlaviandmodernIran
WhatcanIexpecttolearnaboutinthiscourse(mainaims,objectivesandcontent)?
“Thosewhodon'tknowhistoryaredoomedtorepeatit”Historyisnotonlythestudyofthepastbutanactive engagementwiththeinterconnectionsbetweenevents,historicalactorsandtheirenvironments TheIBHistorycourseisa rigorousintellectualdiscipline,focusedaroundkeyconceptssuchaschangeandcontinuity,causationandconsequence. Itprovidesstudentswithanopportunityforengagementwithmultipleperspectivesandapluralityofopinions.Studying historyfostersasenseofinquiryanddevelopsanunderstandingofthepast,whichleadstoadeeperunderstandingofthe natureofhumansandoftheworldtoday
Howwillthiscoursebeassessed(courseworkandexaminationrequirements)?
Paper1:Sourceanalysisonasubjectwehavestudiedinclass
Paper2:Anessaypaperonlargerthemessuchaswarsinthe20thcenturyorauthoritarianleaders
Paper3:Anessaypaperononeregion(EuropeorAfrica/theMiddleEast)withmorespecificquestions
Internalassessment:Ahistoricalinvestigation(researchpaper)onatopicofyourchoice.
What kind of students are suited to this course?
Studentswholiketoread Studentswholiketowrite Butmostimportantly,studentswhoarenotafraidtoaskquestions andchallengetheirownbeliefs.Youdon’tneedanypriorhistoricalknowledgeorskills-wewillhelpyoudevelopthese.
Whatuniversitycoursesorcareerpathwaysmightfollowonfromthiscourse?
StudentswhotakehistorygoontostudyaninfinitenumberofcoursesincludingHistory,Law,Accountancy,International Relations,Politics,Education,Economics,PhilosophyandEconomicstoLawandevenMedicine.Historyisaverystrong subjectforuniversityadmissionbecauseitdevelopskeyskillssuchasargumentation,criticalthinkingandanalysis,and researchandisasubjectthatdemonstratesanabilitytounderstandcomplexity,writeatlengthandanalyse
Here is a link to the IB History Subject Brief
Social and Cultural Anthropology
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
Howisthiscoursestructured(units,modules,keytopics)?
Atthestartofthecourse,studentslearn: Keyconceptsanthropologistsusetostudyandcomparedifferentculturesandsocieties. Methodsandtheoriesanthropologistsemploytocarryouttheirresearchandanalysesocialandculturalphenomena Ethicalissuesanthropologistsnegotiateintheirresearch
Usingethnographiesandfilmsproducedbyanthropologists,studentsstudy: Areasofinquirythatreflectthevariedtopicsanthropologistsexplore,includingConflict,Belonging,Health,Illnessand Healing,DevelopmentandTheBody ThreeareasofinquiryarestudiedatStandardLevel,fouratHigherLevel Howtouseanthropologicalconceptsandtheoriestoexamineglobalissues,suchassustainability,violence, inequality,technologyandglobalisation.
Duringthecourse,studentsalsocompleteanoriginalpieceoffieldresearch Thisisanopportunityforstudentstoapply whattheyhavelearnedinthecoursetotheworldaroundthemandengageinauthenticanthropologicalpractice
WhatcanIexpecttolearnaboutinthiscourse(mainaims,objectivesandcontent)?
Anthropologyisthestudyofhumanculturesandsocietiesinalltheirdiversity InIBSocialandCulturalAnthropology, studentslearnkeyconcepts,methodsandtheoriesusedbyanthropologiststostudyandcomparethedifferentways peoplelive.
TheIBAnthropologycourseaimstofostercompassionandethicalbehaviourinitsstudentsbytrainingthemtoappreciate andcomprehenddiversecultureswithoutresortingtoprejudiceorbias Bystudyingaseriesofethnographiesindepth, anthropologybroadensstudents'perspectivesandpromptsthemtoengageinself-reflection-notonlyregardingother societiesbutalsotheirown.
How will this course be assessed (coursework and examination requirements)?
Anthropologystudentsareassessedthroughacombinationofinternalandexternalassessments,asoutlinedbelow HigherLevel:
Paper1(35%)2hours:4structuredquestionsbasedonanunseenpassageand1questiononanthropologicalethics Paper2(40%)2hours30minutes:Answer3essayquestions
Acrossthe2papers,theanalysisshouldbedetailedandcritical,withanemphasisonintegratingtheoreticalperspectives andengagingwithanthropologicaldebates HLstudentsneedtoengagedeeplywithanthropologicaltheories, demonstratingathoroughknowledgeandunderstanding
Internalassessment(25%)2400words:criticalreflection,fieldwork,mainreport,evaluation. HLstudentsareexpectedtoemploycomplexandvariedresearchmethods Theirmethodologysectionshould demonstrateaclearrationaleforthechosenmethodswithinananalyticalframework,anddiscusstheirpractical,ethical& theoreticallimitationsandstrengthsindetail
StandardLevel:
Paper1(40%)1hour30minutes:Answer4structuredquestionsbasedonanunseenpassage Paper2(40%)1hour30minutes:Answer2essayquestions
Acrossthe2papers,theanalysisisexpectedtobeclearandconcise,withafocusontheapplicationofanthropological concepts SLstudentsarerequiredtoapplyrelevantanthropologicaltheoriestotheirdatabutatamorebasiclevel
Internalassessment(20%)2000words:Initialobservation,2ndmethod,analysis,reflection Thefieldworkmethodologyisstraightforward,focusingonbasictechniquesofdatacollectionandanalysis.
Social and Cultural Anthropology
Whatkindofstudentsaresuitedtothiscourse?
Forawiderangeofstudentswhoareinterestedinhumansocietiesandcultures Studentswhoare:curious,inquisitive, open-minded,culturallysensitive,listeners,reflective,analytical,observant,empathetic
Whatuniversitycoursesorcareerpathwaysmightfollowonfromthiscourse?
Anthropologyoffersawiderangeofcareeropportunitiesduetoitsinterdisciplinarynatureandthetransferableskillsit provides: teaching journalism workingforNGOsandinternationaldevelopment socialwork police government businessmarketing mediamanagement museumcuration publichealthandhealthcare
Group 3: Individuals & Societies / Group 4: Experimental Sciences Environmental Systems and Societies
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
How is this course structured (units, modules, key topics)?
EnvironmentalSystemsandSocieties(ESS)isasystemsthinkingcoursegroundedinscientificinvestigationsofsystem structuresandfunctions,usedtoexplorecultural,economic,ethical,politicalandsocialinteractionsofsocietieswiththe environment.Itsinterdisciplinarynatureallowsstudentstodrawuponandfurtherdeveloparangeofsubjectsandskills acrossGroup3andGroup4tounderstandandevaluateconnectionsbetweenthehumanandnaturalsystems.
Thesyllabuscontentislistedbelow:
Foundation:Perspectives,Systems,Sustainability
Ecology,BiodiversityandConservation
Water,Land,Atmosphere
Climatechange&Naturalresources
Humanpopulationsandurbansystems
ThenewHLversionofthecourseincludesthelensesoflaw,economics,andethicsrequiringfurtheranalysisand evaluationofenvironmentalissues
What can I expect to learn about in this course (main aims, objectives and content)?
Theaimofthissubjectistoexplainhowtheenvironmentworksandhowitimpactshumanlifeontheplanet Itembraces boththescientificexplorationofsystemswiththeenvironment,andthewaysinwhichhumanityinteractswiththis environmentonsocial,economic,culturalandpoliticallevels.Thecourseexploressomeofthekeyenvironmentalissues ofthe21stCenturyandlookstoevaluatetheseissuesinaholisticway.
How will this course be assessed (coursework and examination requirements)?
AttheHLlevel,thefinalexternalassessmentconsistsoftwowrittenpapers(2&2.5hours)worthatotalof80%ofa student’sfinalgrade SLpapersareshorter(1&2hours)andworthatotalof75% Theinternalassessmenttaskinvolves thedesign,implementationandcompletionofanindividualinvestigationofanenvironmentalsystemsandsocieties(ESS) researchquestion Theinvestigationissubmittedasawrittenreportlimitedto3000words;worth20%forHLand25%for SLstudents.
What kind of students are suited to this course?
StudentslookingfortheflexibilityofaninterdisciplinaryGroup3/4IBDPcourse Studentsseekingtobebettersystems thinkers.Studentswhowishtostudyandunderstandclimate,ecological,andsocialchange. Previousnaturaland/orsocialsciencescourseworkcouldbeanadvantageforthoseundertakingthissubject,asarestrong math,verbal,andwrittenskills
What post-seco pathways might follow on from this course?
PopularpathwaysfromESSincludebiotech,cartography,climatechangeaction,conservation,environmental engineering,environmentallaw,resourcemanagement,politics,andtourism
Group 4: Experimental Sciences Biology
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
Howisthiscoursestructured(units,modules,keytopics)?
AtbothHigherandStandardLevels,topicsincludecellbiology,molecularbiology,genetics,ecology,evolutionand biodiversityandhumanphysiology.AtHigherLevelthecoursedealswiththesetopicsingreaterdepthwithincreasing interestcentredonmoleculargenetics,biochemistry,plantbiologyandfurtheranimalphysiology.TheadditionalHL topicsincludethetopicsoforiginsofcells,viruses,classificationandcladistics,muscleandmotility,geneexpressionand chemicalsignaling
2023sawtheintroductionofanewsyllabusinbiologywherethesubjectisdividedintofourfundamentalthemes:
Unityanddiversity–Commonancestryhasgivenlivingorganismsmanysharedfeatureswhileevolutionhasresulted intherichbiodiversityoflifeonEarthThesefundamentalaspectsofbiologyarestudiedindepththroughoutthis theme
Formandfunction-Thisthemestudiesadaptationsandhowsomeadaptationspersistfromgenerationtogeneration toincreasechancesofsurvivalofaspecieswhilstotheradaptationsdonot
Interactionandinterdependence–Biologicalsystemsarebasedoninteractionsandinterdependencieswhichallow thesystemstoadaptatalllevels,fromthecelltowholeecosystemslevel
Continuityandchange–Biologicalsystemshavemechanismsformaintainingequilibriumandbringingaboutchange ThesemechanismswillbeinvestigatedatallscalesfromthelevelofDNAtothetheoryofnaturalselection.
WhatcanIexpecttolearnaboutinthiscourse(mainaims,objectivesandcontent)?
BiologistsinvestigatethelivingworldusingmanydifferentapproachesandtechniquesAtoneendofthescaleisthecell, itsmolecularconstructionandcomplexmetabolicreactionsAttheotherendofthescalebiologistsinvestigatethe interactionsthatmakewholeecosystemsfunction
ThroughstudyingBiology,studentsshouldbecomeawareofhowscientistsworkandcommunicatewitheachother.While thescientificmethodmaytakeonawidevarietyofforms,theemphasisisonapracticalapproach.Inaddition,throughthe overarchingthemeofthe“NatureofScience”thisknowledgeandskillswillbeputintothecontextofthewayscienceand scientistsworkinthe21stCenturyandtheethicaldebatesandlimitationsofcreativescientificendeavour.
BiologyistaughtpracticallyStudentshaveopportunitiestodesigninvestigations,collectdata,developmanipulative skills,analyseresults,collaboratewithpeersandevaluateandcommunicatetheirfindingsTheinvestigationsmaybe laboratorybased,inthefieldortheymaymakeuseofsimulationsanddatabases
Howwillthiscoursebeassessed(courseworkandexaminationrequirements)?
Practicalworkcountsfor20%ofthefinalmark.Student’spractical,analyticalandevaluativeskillsaredevelopedandthen theywillundertakearesearchbasedindividualinvestigation.Theinvestigationshouldreflectthestudentsowninterests andmaybebasedonlaboratoryworkoronresearcheddataandinvolvescompletingareport.Therearealsotwofinal examsinIBBiologyworth80%ofstudents'finalgrades
Whatkindofstudentsaresuitedtothiscourse?
Whilenopreviousknowledgeforthecourseisrequiredateitherlevel,abasicgroundingingeneralscienceis advantageous
Whatuniversitycoursesorcareerpathwaysmightfollowonfromthiscourse?
Biologyoffersawiderangeofcareeropportunitiesduetoitsinterdisciplinarynatureandthetransferableskillsitprovides: teaching,biomedicine,workingforNGOsandgovernment,publichealthandhealthcare
Chemistry
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered? StandardLevel HigherLevel
Howisthiscoursestructured(units,modules,keytopics)?
2023seestheintroductionofanewsyllabusinchemistrywherethesubjectisdividedintosixkeythemes;Structure1-3 andReactivity1-3.TheStructurethemesrefertothemodelsusedtodescribethebuildingblocksofchemistrywhilstthe Reactivitythemesrefertohowchemicalsreactwiththem:
S1–Modelsofparticulatenatureofmatter
S2–Modelsofbondingandstructure
S3–Classificationofmatter
R1–Whatdriveschemicalreactions?
R2–Howmuch,howfastandhowfar?
R3–Whatarethemechanismsofchemicalchange?
WhatcanIexpecttolearnaboutinthiscourse(mainaims,objectivesandcontent)?
TheHigherLevelcourseisanexcellentpreparationforstudentsintendingtocontinuestudyingScienceorMedicineat universityand,ofcourse,forthosewhoenjoyChemistry.Elementaryconceptsareintroducedatamolecularlevelandthe coursethenproceedsinalogicalmannertomoreadvancedworkinphysical,organicandinorganicchemistry.HLcontent isanextensionoftheSLcontentForexample,inReactivity2-HLwillgofurtherintothermodynamicsandlookatentropy, GibbsFreeenergy,andspontaneityBasicmoleandstoichiometriccalculationsareboththesameforSLandHL
TheStandardLevelcoursehasbeenspecificallydesignedtogivethe‘non-scientist’agoodunderstandingoftheimportant rolechemistryplaysinmodernsociety.Recentlythecoursehasbeenupdatedtoincludemorechallengingandrelevant conceptssothatitprovidesabettersupportforstudentsthatmaygoontostudyothersciencessuchasPhysics,Biology orEnvironmentalsciencesatuniversitylevel
Howwillthiscoursebeassessed(courseworkandexaminationrequirements)?
Throughoutbothcoursespracticalworkisgivenemphasisandcountsfor20%ofthefinalmarkStudent’spractical, analyticalandevaluativeskillsaredevelopedduringthefirstyearofthecourseandthentheywillundertakearesearch basedindividualinvestigationduringtheirsecondyearTheinvestigationshouldreflectthestudentsowninterestsand maybebasedonlaboratoryworkoronresearcheddataandinvolvescompletingareport.
TherearetwofinalexamsinIBChemistryworth80%ofstudents'finalgrades
Whatkindofstudentsaresuitedtothiscourse?
NopreviousknowledgeisassumedinthedeliveryofthecoursesinChemistry.However,backgroundknowledgeisan advantageatbothlevels.
Whatuniversitycoursesorcareerpathwaysmightfollowonfromthiscourse?
Chemistryoffersawiderangeofcarersoptions;AnalyticalChemist,ChemicalEngineer,ChemicalDevelopmentEngineer, Teaching,EnvironmentalChemist,ForensicResearcherandForensicScientist
Here is a link to the IB Chemistry Subject Brief
Physics
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
How is this course structured (units, modules, key topics)?
2023seestheintroductionofanewsyllabusinphysicswherethesubjectisdividedintofivefundamentalthemes:
Space,timeandmotion–thisincludesNewtonianmechanics,butalsogivesHLstudentsexposuretothemind bendingtopicofspecialrelativity
Theparticulatenatureofmatter-thisincludesthermalphysicsincludingapplicationstocontemporaryissuessuchas theGreenhouseeffect,butalsogivesHLstudentsexposuretothermodynamics
Wavebehaviour–thistopicstudieswavemotionandhowthiscanbeusedtomodelnumerousphysicalphenomena. Fields–thisincludesanindepthstudyofthegravitationalandelectromagneticfieldsandtheirapplications
Nuclearandquantumphysics–thisthemetakesanintroductorydiveintothefascinatingworldofatomicand subatomicphysicstogetherwithmanyoftheastonishingandseeminglyparadoxicalimplicationsofnatureatthe quantumlevel.
What can I expect to learn about in this course (main aims, objectives and content)?
AtHigherLevelthereisalargeexperimentalelementtothecourseandagoodgraspofmathematicaltechniquesisan advantage.Thecourseisexcellentpreparationforthoseintendingtostudyphysics,engineeringorcloselyrelatedscience andtechnicalsubjectsatuniversity
ThestructureoftheStandardLevelcourseissimilartotheHigheroneandcanberecommendedtoanyone,thoughthis courserequiresacertainlevelofmathematicsaswell.
How will this course be assessed (coursework and examination requirements)?
Theclimaxoftheexperimentalprogrammeatbothlevelsisanindividualinvestigationworth20%ofthestudent'sfinal grade.Inthisinvestigationallskillsgainedduringthecourseareexpectedtobeused.TherearethreefinalexamsinIB Physicsworth80%ofstudents'finalgrades
What kind of students are suited to this course?
Nopreviousknowledgeisassumedinthedeliveryofthecoursesinphysics.However,backgroundknowledgeisan advantageatbothlevels
What university courses or career pathways might follow on from this course?
Studyingphysicsoffersawiderangeofopportunities;software,computingandconsultancyindustries,engineering, manufacturing,informationtechnology,teachingandpharmaceuticals
Here is a link to the IB Physics Subject Brief
Group5:Mathematics
TherearetwoMathematicscoursesofferedintheIBDiplomaProgrammeBothsubjectsareofferedatStandardandHigherLevel Mathematics:AnalysisandApproachesisforstudentswhowishtostudymathematicsasasubjectinitsownrightortopursue theirinterestsinareasrelatedtomathematics
Mathematics:ApplicationsandInterpretationisforstudentswhowishtogainunderstandingandcompetenceinhow mathematicsrelatestotherealworldandothersubjects
StudentswillrequireaCasioFX-CG100calculator,whichUWCAtlanticcansupplyatadiscountedprice
AllstudentstakeadiagnosticMathstestwhentheyarriveatUWCAtlantic,whichwillassistthestudentsandteacherstodecide whichisthebestmathscourseforthem
Mathematics:AnalysisandApproaches
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
How is this course structured (units, modules, key topics)?
Emphasisonalgebraicmethods
Developstrongskillsinmathematicalthinking
Realandabstractmathematicalproblemsolving Calculatorandnon-calculatorskills.
What can I expect to learn about in this course (main aims, objectives and content)?
Thereisastrongemphasisontheabilitytoconstruct,communicateandjustifycorrectmathematicalarguments.All coursescoverthecommoncontent:MindMapCommonContent.InadditiontothecommoncontenttheAnalysesand ApproachesStandardLevelcoursecovers:MindMapAnalysisandApproachesSL Inadditiontothese,theAnalysesand ApproachesHigherLevelCoursealsocovers:MindMapAnalysisandApproachesAHL
How will this course be assessed (coursework and examination requirements)?
Paper1
Paper2
Mathematics: Applications and Interpretations
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
How is this course structured (units, modules, key topics)?
Emphasisonmodellingandstatistics
Developstrongskillsinapplyingmathematicstothereal-world Realmathematicalproblemsolvingusingtechnology. Emphasisonhowtomodelmathematicalproblemsanduseacalculatortosolvethem
What can I expect to learn about in this course (main aims, objectives and content)?
Thereisanemphasisontheuseofmathematicsincontext,focusingontopicsthatareoftenusedasapplicationsorin mathematicalmodelling Thecoursemakesextensiveuseoftechnologytoallowstudentstoexploreandconstruct mathematicalmodels
Allcoursescoverthecommoncontent:MindMapCommonContent.InadditiontothecommoncontenttheAnalysesand ApproachesStandardLevelcoursecovers:MindMapAnalysisandApproachesSL Inadditiontothese,theAnalysesand ApproachesHigherLevelCoursealsocovers:MindMapAnalysisandApproachesAHL
How will this course be assessed (coursework and examination requirements)?
Paper1
Non-calculator
Paper2
Paper3
Here is a link to the IB Maths AI Subject Brief
Non-alculator
Group 6: The Arts Music
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
How is this course structured (units, modules, key topics)?
Firsttermfocusesontheelementsofmusic,beginningwithrhythm,progressingthroughmelody,timbre,texture, structure,andinstrumentation,beforefinishingwithaprojectthatfocusesonharmony Studentsexploretheseelements byanalysingawiderangeofmusicfromaroundtheworld,muchofwhichwillbeunfamiliartothem.
Secondtermfocusesonexploringparticulargenresandstylesofmusic,featuringunitsonmusictechnology,musical theatre,Westernclassicalmusic,filmmusic,andsongwriting Thistermendswitharesearchpaperinwhichstudents analyseaselectionofmusicoftheirchoosing,aswellascomposingandperformingashortpiece.
Thirdtermfocusesonprojectschosenbythestudents,inwhichtheymustexperimentwithagenreofmusicthatisnewto thembyresearching,composingandperforminginthisstyle Unitsthistermincludeminimalism,counterpointand remixing.
Thefourthtermisspentworkingonthefinalcourseworkcomponentsofthecourse,withafocusonperformanceand compositioninthestudent'schosenstyles
What can I expect to learn about in this course (main aims, objectives and content)?
Fundamentally,studentslearnhowtoanalysemusic,howtoperformmusicandhowtocomposemusicinandofavariety ofstyles Studentslearnthekeyfeaturesofarangeofgenresanddeveloptheirownperformingandlisteningskills They alsolearnhowtorecordandproducetheirownmusicusingourrecordingstudioandsuiteofiMacs.Throughthecourse, studentsaresupportedthroughtheprovisionoffreeinstrumentallessons.
Musicstudentsareexpectedtotakepartinourrichco-curricularprogrammeaswellasschoolconcertsandotherevents, whichrangefromaschoolmusicalinthespringtomonthlystudentconcertswhichareopentothepublic.Ourfacilitiesare excellent,providingfurtherlearningopportunitieswithsevensoundproofpracticerooms,asuiteof14newiMacs,a harpsichord,numerousdrumkits,pianosrangingfromnewuprightstoaSteinwayconcertgrand,andeverythingin between,allhousedinanewpurpose-builtdepartmentwhichopenedin2022 Wealsoincorporateseveraltripsoverthe yeartoseeconcertsinCardiff.
How will this course be assessed (coursework and examination requirements)?
Thecourseisexaminedentirelythroughaportfolioofcoursework,meaningthatstudentsdonotsitexams Instead,every studentwillneedtocompose,writeabout,andperformmusicwhichisthensubmittedtotheIB.Intheexploration component,studentssubmitawrittenportfolioofmusicalanalysis,ashortcompositionandaperformedadaptationofa pieceofmusicfromanunfamiliarcontext Intheexperimentingcomponent,studentswillsubmitafive-minuterecording ofexperimentationinperformanceandafive-minuterecordingofexperimentationincreating,alongwithawritten experimentationreport.Inthepresentingcomponent,studentswillsubmitarangeoftheirperformancesaswellasseveral compositions.
Inadditiontothis,HigherLevelstudentswillundertakeacollaborativeprojectthatisinspiredbyreal-lifepracticesin contemporarymusic-making.Collaboratingwithatleastoneotherstudent,theywillplanandpresentamusicalproject (mostlikelysomekindofperformance,buttheIBdoesnotimposeanyrestrictionsonthetypeofproject),whichwillbe documentedbythestudentthrougha15-minutevideo
Whatkindofstudentsaresuitedtothiscourse?
TheHigherandStandardLevelcoursesaresuitableforthosestudentswholovemusic,desireanoutletfortheirown creativity,andseektodevelopagreaterdepthofunderstandingofmusicinallitsvariety AtbothHigherandStandard Level,somepreviousexperienceofperformanceonaninstrumentorvoiceishighlyrecommended,butnotnecessarily required.
Whatuniversitycoursesorcareerpathwaysmightfollowonfromthiscourse?
Universitycoursesincludemusic,composition,performance,musictechnology,musicology,musictheory, ethnomusicology,musictherapy.
Careerpathwaysinclude:Soundengineering,compositionforfilmandtelevision,orchestralorsessionplaying,musical theatre,musicproduction,conducting,musicdirection,pianoaccompaniment,instrumentorsoundtechnician,event coordinator,stagemanagement.
WhatelseisofferedforstudentswhowanttoperformorlearnmusicwithouttakingitasanIBsubject?
Instrumentallessonsareavailableforallstudents,andrunweeklyintheafternoons Studentswhoareinterestedcan signupduringorientation,orcanstarttakinglessonsatanytimebyreachingouttotheMusicDepartment Scholarships areavailabletocoverthecostoflessonsforstudentswhorequirethemandwhoshowacommitmenttomusic,orany studentcansignupforafeewhichisbilledattheendofeachterm.Thereisateamofvisitinginstrumentalteacherswho offerlessonsonthefollowinginstruments:
Bassoon
Cello
Clarinet
Doublebass
Drumkit
Fluteandpiccolo
Frenchhorn
Guitar(acoustic,electric,andbass)
Harp
Oboe
Percussion(pitchedandunpitched)
Piano
Saxophone
Trombone
Trumpet
Tuba
Violinandviola
Voice
Inaddition,therearenumerousmusicgroupsandensemblesforstudentstojoin,includingachoir,stringensemble, windensemble,musictechnologyclub,gamelanensemble,acappellagroup,jazzband,andseveralstudentbands ThereisalsoaCASforstudentswhowanttolearnthepianobutwhohaveneverplayedbefore,andatheatreCASwhich putsonamusicalproductionmostyears.ThechoirrecentlytouredOxfordaspartofProjectWeek,andallensembles playanactiveroleinthelifeofthecollege,withperformancesatmajoroccasionssuchasgraduation,thewelcome ceremony,andnumerousothereventsovertheyear
Visual Arts
Atwhatlevelisthis courseoffered?
Howisthiscoursestructured(units,modules,keytopics)?
Duringthefirsttermstudentsareintroducedtoartmediumsexplorationincludingtopicssuchas:expressivedrawing,grid scaletechnique,tonalvalues,colourtheory,photostudioportraiture,3Dheadgeardesign,textiles,AdobeBridgeand Photoshopforframecompositionandoptimisationofreferenceimagerystartingpoints
Secondtermincludesspecifictechniquesincludingprintmaking(intaglio,mono,andscreen-printing)andceramicsplus contextexplorationincludingcuration,framing,criticalanalysis,paintingandarthistory.Newlycreatedartworkwillbe exhibitedattheendofterm
Thirdtermisspentfocusingonstudents’strengthsanddevelopingideasforthecourseworkspecificcomponents,which arefinalisedattheendofthetermExampiecesarecompletedandexhibitedinDecember
Fourthtermisspentfinalisingcourseworkspecificcomponentsanddevelopingartworkinmediumsofthestudents’ choice.InMarcheachstudentselectstheirbestwork,framesit,andcuratesacoherentexhibitionfordisplay.
WhatcanIexpecttolearnaboutinthiscourse(mainaims,objectivesandcontent)?
VisualArtcelebratesdivergentthinking,creativesolutionsviacollaboration,transdisciplinarytraditionalanddigital practicesandgloballearningacrossthecurriculumManystudentsenjoyworkingcollaborativelytohighlightissuesand fosterchangeintheirindependentlyledwork,whichoftenreflectsglobalissuescelebratedviaaestheticinquiryThe departmenthasacomputerlab,multi-purposestudiospaces,printstudio,ceramicsbuilding,andachromakeyspecial effectsVRphotographyandfilmstudio.
Studentswilllearnandto:
1explorethediversityoftheartsacrosstime,culturesandcontexts
2developasimaginativeandskilledcreatorsandcollaborators
3.expressideascreativelyandwithcompetence
4.criticallyreflectontheprocessofcreatingandexperiencingthearts
5developasinformed,perceptiveandanalyticalpractitioners
6enjoylifelongengagementwiththearts
7appreciatethatart-makingenhancesknowledge,developsunderstandingandtransformswaysofbeing
8employcuriosity,creativityanddialoguetomoreopenlyengagewithself,theworldandothers
9.drawonartmakingandartworksfortheirown,andtheircommunities'well-beingandflourishing.
TheArtDepartmenthasstronglinkswithinternationalgalleries,streetartexhibitions,artscentres,museums,andthe expertiseoffourvisitingpractisingartists,manyalsolecturingatuniversitiesandcollegesinSouthWalesandEngland
Visual Arts
Howwillthiscoursebeassessed(courseworkandexaminationrequirements)?
InVisualArtsallassessmenttasksarenon-examinationbased;therefore,allworkfromdayoneispotentiallypartofexam courseworkasitiscontinuouslygeneratedandassessed
Therewillbetwotasksthatareexternallyassessed,andonethatisinternallyassessedbytheteacherandexternally moderatedbytheIB
Task1iscommontoSLandHL Allstudentscompletetheart-makinginquiriesportfolio Task2isdesigneddifferentlyforSLandHL,tofullyreflectthedifferentallocationofteachingtimeateachlevel.SL studentscompletetheconnectionsstudyandHLstudentscompletetheartistproject Task3istheinternalassessment(IA),differentiatedbetweenSLandHL
Throughoutthecourse,studentsareexpectedtoprovideevidenceofhowtheylearnedtocreate,connectand communicateasavisualartspractitioner
Sevenassessmentobjectsareusedtomeasurestudentsuccess: Curating-Investigating-Generating-Refining-Resolving-Situating-Synthesizing
ComponentweightingforSLandHLcourseworksubmissionsareasfollows: StandardLevel
40%-ArtMakingInquiriesPortfolio
20%-ConnectionsStudy
40%ResolvedArtworks
HigherLevel
30%-ArtMakingInquiriesPortfolio
30%-ArtistProject 40%-SelectedResolvedArtworks
Whatkindofstudentsaresuitedtothiscourse?
FromabsolutebeginnerstoproficientexperiencedartstudentswishingtopursuetheArtsatbothFurtherandHigher Educationlevel
Whatuniversitycoursesorcareerpathwaysmightfollowonfromthiscourse?
Fineartsdegreesofferspecialisationin:Sculpture,printmaking,artdesign,drawing,painting,architecture,studioarts, anddigitalmedia
Careerpathwaysinclude:Architect,fineartist,painter,printmaker,sculptor,ceramist,theatredesigner,propmaker, interior,designer,productdesigner,graphic/web/VR/AIdesigner,fineartperformer,fashion/textiledesigner,prosthetic designer,digitalprinter,userexperiencedesigner,andcomputergamedesigner
Here is a link to the IB Visual Arts Subject Brief
