Chatsworth International School Singapore
IB Diploma - Group 4 (The Sciences) - Biology

Biology

IB Biology is a 2 year course of study. All IB Biology students will study 6 core units as well as 2 ‘options’. HL Students will have an additional 5 units which extend the core material.

All students will be required to complete a number of lab hours and their practical reports will be approximately a fourth of their IB Biology Grade. These lab reports are assessed by the subject teacher but are moderated by an external examiner. SL students will need to complete 40 hours and HL students 60 hours of practical work.

The IB Biology course will focus on the following topics:

Core Topics

1. Statistical Analysis – basic analysis techniques for analysis of practical data
2. Cells – cell theory, the structure of different cells, membranes, and cell division
3. The Chemistry of Life – water, organic molecules, DNA, enzymes, respiration and photosynthesis
4. Genetics – genes, meiosis, theoretical genetics and biotechnology
5. Ecology and Evolution – ecosystems, the greenhouse effect, populations, evolution and classification
6. Human Health and Physiology – digestion, the transport system, immune system, gas exchange, nerves, hormones and reproduction

Higher Level Topics

1. Nucleic Acids and Proteins – a further look at DNA, proteins and enzymes
2. Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis
3. Plant Science – plant structure, transport and reproduction
4. Genetics – a further look at genetics with gene linkage and polygenetic inheritance
5. Human Health and Physiology – a further look at the immune system, reproduction, the kidney and muscles

Options Topics

(the teacher will choose from 2 or the 4 options)

1. Evolution
2. Neurobiology and Behaviour
3. Microbes and Biotechnology
4. Ecology and Conservation

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Aims and Objectives

The aims of the IB biology course are to:

1. Promote an understanding scientific enquiry and how scientific data is obtained
2. Foster a basic understanding life and how living organisms work and interact
3. Encourage a deeper understanding of how life works at a molecular level
4. Develop and awareness of the similarity of living things and the common ground all life shares

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Assessment

	SL Weighting	HL Weighting
External Assessment	Paper 1 45 minutes 20% Multiple choice (30 questions) Paper 2 1 hour 15 minutes 32% Data analysis, short answer and extended response questions. Paper 3 1 hour 24% Based solely on the two option units.	Paper 1 1 hour 20% Multiple choice (40 questions) Paper 2 2 hours 15 minutes 36% Data analysis, short answer and extended response questions. Paper 3 1 hour 15 minutes 20% Based solely on the two option units.
Internal Assessment	24% The best two examples of each category will be added together and submitted.	24% The best two examples of each category will be added together and submitted.

Textbooks and Resources

The key texts that students will use are:

• IB Biology Course companion
• IB Biology Revision Guide
• Advanced Biology

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Career Options

Biology leads into many careers like medicine, dentistry, vetinary science, zoology, pharmaceuticals, medical research, psychiatry, ecology and wildlife management. As a hard science, biology shows an ability to critically think and understand the world around you. It is seen as an asset in many other disciplines and careers.