IB Biology

Course Description

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

Prerequisite(s):  None

This is a two-year course intended to give students the opportunity to "develop a knowledge of a limited body of facts and at the same time a broad general understanding of the subject", as stated by IBO documents.  The program includes four central themes: structure and function, universality versus diversity, equilibrium within systems, and evolution.

A core of material is studied by both higher level (HL) and standard level (SL) students, and this is implemented by the study of options.  Higher level students also study additional higher level (AHL) material.

Higher level and standard level students study two options.  These include: diet and nutrition, physiology of exercise, cells and energy, evolution, neurobiology and behavior, applied plant and animal science, and ecology.  Additionally, HL students may choose to increase their knowledge in human physiology by choosing "further human physiology" as part of their two options

In the first component, 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 consists in the understanding that checks and balances exist both within living organisms and 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 genetic information contained within organisms lead to adaptations of structure and function which can guarantee the continuity of life.