IBO Biology

General information

SL group 4 curriculum model

Theory

Core: 180 hours

2 Options: 30 hours

(Neurobiology and Behaviour,

Microbes and Biotechnology)

Practical work

Investigations: 30 hours

Group 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 criteria

There 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 =12

Data collection and processing: 2 x 6=12

Conclusion and evaluation: 2 x 6 =12

Manipulative skills: 1 x 6 =6

Personals skills: 1 x 6 =6

Total: 48

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

Syllabus overview

1. Statistical analysis

2. 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