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 Theory Core: 80 hours Additional higher level: 55 hours 2 Options: 45 hours Practical work Investigations: 50 hours Group 4 project: 10 hours

SL Assessment specifications ComponentOverall weighting (%) DurationFormat and syllabus coverage Paper 1 (theory – core) 2045 minutes 30 multiple-choice on the core Paper 2 (theory – core) 3275 minutes Section A: one data-based question and several short-anwer questions on the core Section B: One extended-response question on the core Paper 3 (2 options) 2460 minutes Several short-answer questions in each of the two options (all compulsory) Reports24

HL Assessment specifications ComponentOverall weighting (%) DurationFormat and syllabus coverage Paper 1 (theory – core) 2060 minutes 40 multiple-choice on the core Paper 2 (theory – core) 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) 2075 minutes Several short-answer questions and one extended-response question in each of the 2 options Reports24

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 disease 10. 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