IBO Biology

General information

SL group 4 curriculum modelTheoryCore: 180 hours 2 Options: 30 hours (Neurobiology and Behaviour, Microbes and Biotechnology)

Practical workInvestigations: 30 hoursGroup 4 project: 10 hours

HL group 4 curriculum model

TheoryCore: 180 hoursAdditional higher level: 55 hours2 Options: 45 hours

Practical workInvestigations: 50 hoursGroup 4 project: 10 hours

SL Assessment specificationsComponent Overall

weighting (%)Duration Format and syllabus

coverage

Paper 1(theory – core)

20 45 minutes 30 multiple-choice on the core

Paper 2(theory – core)

32 75 minutes Section A: one data-based question and several short-anwer

questions on the coreSection B:

One extended-response question on the core

Paper 3(2 options)

24 60 minutes Several short-answer questions in each of the

two options (all compulsory)

Reports 24

HL Assessment specificationsComponent Overall

weighting (%)Duration Format and syllabus

coverage

Paper 1(theory – core)

20 60 minutes 40 multiple-choice on the core

Paper 2(theory – core)

36 135 minutes Section A: one data-based

question and several short-anwer questions on the core and AHL

Section B:One extended-response

question on the core and AHL

Paper 3(2 options)

20 75 minutes Several short-answer questions and one extended-response

question in each of the 2 options

Reports 24

Paper 1

• Made up of multiple-choice questions that test knowledge of the core

• The questions are designed to be short, one or two-stage problems

• No marks are deducted for incorect responses

• Calculators are not permitted, but students are expected to carry out simple calculations

Paper 2• Tests knowledge of the core (for student SL) and the core

and AHL for students HL • A calculator is required for this paper• Paper is divided into 2 sections:

• Section A, there is a data-based question that requires students to analyse a given set of data

• Section B, students SL are required to answer 1 question from a choice of 3, and students at HL are required to answer 2 questions from a choice of 4. These extended-response questions may involve writing a number of paragraphs, solving a problem, or carryimg out a piece of analysis or evaluation

Paper 3

• Tests knowledge of the options

• Students at SL are required to answer several short-answer questions in each of the 2 options

• Students at HL are required to answer several short-answer questions and extended-response question in each of the 2 options

• A calculator is required for this paper

Internal assessment criteriaThere are 5 assessments criteria that are

used to assess the work of both SL and HL students:

• Design (D)

• Data collection and processing (D&P)

• Conclusion and evaluation (C&E)

• Manipulative skills (MS)

• Personal skills (PS)

• The first three criteria are each assessed twice

• Manipulative skills is assessed summatively over the whole course and the assessment should be based on a wide range of manipulative skills

• Personal skills is assessed once only and this will be during the group 4 project

The maximum mark for each criterion is 6

Design: 2 x 6 =12Data collection and processing: 2 x 6=12Conclusion and evaluation: 2 x 6 =12Manipulative skills: 1 x 6 =6Personals skills: 1 x 6 =6

Total: 48

This is scaled at IBCA to give a total out of 24 %

Syllabus overview1. Statistical analysis

2. Cells• Cell theory• Prokaryotic cells• Eukaryotic cells• Membranes• Cell division• Meiosis

3. The chemistry of life• Chemical elements and water• Carbohydrates, lipids and proteins• Enzymes, • Cell respiration • Photosynthesis

4. Genetics• DNA structure • DNA replication • Transcription and translation • Chromosomes, genes, alleles and mutations• Theoretical genetics • Genetic engineering and biotechnology

5. Ecology and Evolution• Communities and Ecosystems• Energy flow in an ecosystem• Greenhouse effect• Populations• Evolution• classification

6. Human health and physiology• Digestion• The transport system• Defence against infectious disease• Gas exchange• Nerves, hormones and homeostasis• Reproduction

AHLTopic 7• Meiosis• DNA structure• DNA replication• Transcription• Translation• Enzymes

Topic 8• Cell respiration• Photosynthesis

Topic 9• Plant structure and growth• Transport in angiospermophytes• Reproduction in angiospermophytes

Topic 10• Dihybrid crosses and gene linkage• Polygenic inheritance

Topic 11• Defence against infectious disease• Muscles and movement• The kidney• Reproduction

OptionsOption E – Neurobiology and Behaviour

Option F – Microbes and biotechnology