Jennifer Oldford PAHSAll information from:

“Biology guide. First assessment 2016.”

Welcome to

IB Biology

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect.

These programmes encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and lifelong learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

IB Mission Statement

Syllabus Components

95hr 60hr

Core◦ 1. Cell biology◦ 2. Molecular biology◦ 3. Genetics◦ 4. Ecology◦ 5. Evolution and

biodiversity◦ 6. Human physiology

Additional higher level◦ 7. Nucleic acids◦ 8. Metabolism, cell

respiration and photosynthesis

◦ 9. Plant biology◦ 10. Genetics and

evolution◦ 11. Animal physiology

Syllabus Components

15hr SL; 25hr HL 40hr SL; 60hr HL

Option◦ A. Neurobiology and

behaviour◦ B. Biotechnology and

bioinformatics◦ C. Ecology and

conservation◦ D. Human physiology

Practical scheme of work◦ Practical activities◦ Individual investigation

(internal assessment–IA)◦ Group 4 project

Proposed Program Timeline

92hr 83hr

Year I◦ Cell (15)◦ Molecular (21)◦ Respiration +

Photosynthesis (14)◦ Plant Biology (13)◦ Reproduction (8)◦ Nucleic Acids (6)◦ Genetics (15)

Year II◦ Evolution and

Biodiversity (20)◦ Ecology (12)◦ Human Physiology (36)◦ Neurobiology (15)

Formative assessment informs both teaching and learning.

In addition to the required IB assessment pieces, students will complete a series of tests, quizzes, assignments, lab activities, and mock exams.

These assessment pieces are used to:o determine marks for required school assessment periodso provide feedback to students and teachers on:

o the kind of learning taking placeo the nature of students’ strengths and weaknesseso teaching qualityo progress towards meeting the course aims and objectives

Formative Assessment

The practical scheme of work (PSOW) acts as a summary of all the investigative activities carried out by a student.

Students at SL and HL in the same subject may carry out some of the same investigations.

Consists of: practical activities, group 4, and internal assessment

Practical Scheme of Work

Include: 7 required Practical labs +◦ short labs or projects extending over several

weeks◦ computer simulations◦ using databases for secondary data◦ developing and using models◦ data-gathering exercises such as

questionnaires, user trials and surveys◦ data-analysis exercises◦ fieldwork

Practical Activities

An interdisciplinary activity in which all Diploma Programme science students must participate.

Students from the different group 4 subjects analyse a common topic or problem.

A collaborative experience where the emphasis is on the process, rather than the products.

The 10 hours involved are divided into three stages: planning, action and evaluation.

Group 4

Internal assessment is an integral part of the course and is compulsory for both SL and HL students.

Enables students to demonstrate the application of their skills and knowledge, and to pursue their personal interests, without the time limitations and other constraints that are associated with written examinations.

The internal assessment requirements at SL and at HL are the same.

Internal Assessment

Worth 20% of the final assessment One scientific investigation taking about 10 hours Possible tasks:

◦ hands-on laboratory investigation◦ using a spreadsheet for analysis and modelling◦ extracting data from a database and analysing it

graphically◦ producing a hybrid of spreadsheet/database work with a

traditional hands-on investigation◦ using a simulation

Write-up = 6 to 12 pages Criteria:

◦ Personal engagement, Exploration, Analysis, Evaluation, Communication

Internal Assessment

External Assessment

Duration: 1 hourWeighting: 20%Marks: 40 HL

Duration: 1¼ hoursWeighting: 24%Marks: 45 HL

Paper 1◦ 40 multiple-

choice questions on core and AHL material, about 15 of which are common with SL.

Paper 3◦ Section A: candidates

answer all questions, two to three short-answer questions based on experimental skills and techniques, analysis and evaluation, using unseen data linked to the core material.

◦ Section B: short-answer and extended-response questions from one option.

Duration: 2¼ hoursWeighting: 36%Marks: 72 HL

Paper 2◦ Data-based

question.◦ Short-answer and

extended-response questions on core and AHL material.

◦ Two out of three extended response questions to be attempted by candidates.

IB Learner Profile

InquirersKnowledgeableThinkersCommunicatorsPrincipled

Open-mindedCaringRisk-takersBalancedReflective