IBO Biology
General information
SL group 4 curriculum modelTheory
Core: 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: 80 hoursAdditional higher level: 55 hours2 Options: 45 hours
Practical workInvestigations: 50 hoursGroup 4 project: 10 hours
SL Assessment specifications
Component 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 analysis2. Cells
» Cell theory» Prokaryotic cells» Eukaryotic cells» Membranes» Cell division» Meiosis (+AHL)
3. The chemistry of life» Chemical elements and water» Carbohydrates, lipids and proteins (+AHL)
4. Enzymes, Cell respiration, Photosynthesis (+AHL)5. Genetics
» DNA structure (+AHL)» DNA replication (+AHL)» Transcription and translation (+AHL)» Chromosomes, genes, alleles and mutations» Theoretical genetics (+AHL)» Genetic engineering and biotechnology
6. Digestion + Option: Human nutrition and health (just for SL) and Digestion, absorption of
digested food, functions of the liver (just for HL)
7. Gas exchange + Option: Gas exchange (just for HL)
8. The transport system + Option: The transport system (just for HL)
9. Defence against infectious disease10. Nerves, hormones and homeostasis + Option: Hormonal
control (just for HL)11. Reproduction
AHL (just for VIP-s)• Proteins• Meiosis• DNA structure• DNA replication• Transcription• Translation• Dihybrid crosses and gene linkage• Polygenic inheritance• Enzymes• Cell respiration• Photosynthesis• Plant structure and growth• Transport in angiospermophytes• Reproduction in angiospermophytes
• Defence against infectious disease• Muscles and movement• The kidney• Reproduction