Course Overview

Biology HL and SL – Group 4

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The Biology program is a course studied in the Group 4 Sciences. The subject is subdivided into 4 concepts namely: Structure and function; Universality versus Diversity; Equilibrium within systems essential for the continuity of life; and Evolution. These concepts serve as themes which unify the topics that make up three sections of the course; Core material; the additional higher level (AHL) material; and two Options chosen by the teacher from eight possibilities. At KISU we offer Biology at both Standard and Higher level.

Biology, like all experimental sciences, creates awareness of how scientists work and communicate to each other. It stimulates and challenges students’ understanding of environmental, technological, social and economic effects of science.
The course provides a body of knowledge, methods and techniques which characterize science and technology, as well as developing students’ ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesize scientific data. It develops manipulative and other personal skills in cooperation, perseverance and responsibility; which are essential for effective scientific inquiry. The course selects a limited body of facts from the huge amounts of biological data, and develops a broad general understanding of the principles of the subject.

Assessment
Internal: The IA requirements are the same for all experimental sciences and are worth 24% of final assessment. HL students must complete 60 laboratory hours, and SL students 40 hours. This includes the group 4 project that all IB students are required to complete, and various investigations. Student work is assessed by the teacher and externally modified by the IBO. Performance is judged against the assessment criteria of 0-2 levels, provided by IBO.

External: Both SL and HL candidates sit three written papers which are set and marked by the IBO. The total weighting of the papers is 76% for both SL and HL.

  • Paper 1
    • HL: 40 MC questions work 20% of grade, 1 hr duration
    • SL: 30 MC questions worth 20% of grade, 3/4 hr duration
  • Paper 2
    • UL: one data based question, several short response & two extended response questions worth 36%, 2 ¼ hrs in duration
    • SL: one data based question, several short response & one extended response question worth 32%, 1 ¼ hrs duration
  • Paper 3
    • HL: several short answer questions and one extended response question on two options studied, worth 20% of grade, 1 ¼ hrs in duration
    • SL: several short answer questions in two topics studied, worth 24% of grade, 1 hr in duration
    Textbook

  • Biology by Minka Peeters Weem with Christopher Talbot and Antony Mayhofer. IBID Press
  • Biology Study Guide by Andrew Allott, Oxford Press
    Other Resources

  • Biology Course Companion by Andrew Allott and David Mindorff, Oxford Press
  • Practical Advanced Biology by Tim King and Michael Reiss, Nelson Thomas Press
  • Biology 7th Ed. International by Campbell and Reece, Pearson