IB Biology

Course Description

Grade(s): 11-12                        Level: IB HL & SL                        Credit(s): 2 in Science

Prerequisite(s):  General Biology

This is a two-year course intended to give students the opportunity to develop a knowledge of a body of facts and a broad general understanding of the subject of Biology, as defined in IBO documents.
 

The program includes four central themes: structure and function, universality versus diversity, equilibrium within systems and evolution.
 

In the first component of this course, the students will explore the importance of the relationship between structure and function in the study of living organisms. They will learn how living organisms operate at all levels of
complexity. The second component will help students learn the importance of organic molecules to living organisms and their variety and complexity. The third component examines the movement of genetic information
from generation to generation, how genetic information is interpreted and how errors can cause permanent changes to the information and the path of evolution. The fourth component consist of the understanding that checks and
balances exist both within the living organisms and within ecosystems. Students will understand that a state of dynamic equilibrium is essential for life. The last component is a unifying theme, which will help students analyze
how changes in the genetic information (contained within organisms) lead to adaptations of structure and function which can guarantee the continuity of life.