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: 180 hours
Additional higher level: 55 hours
2 Options: 45 hours
Practical work
Investigations: 50 hours
Group 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 core
Section 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 specifications
Component
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 shortanswer 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:
Data collection and processing:
Conclusion and evaluation:
Manipulative skills:
Personals skills:
2 x 6 =12
2 x 6=12
2 x 6 =12
1 x 6 =6
1 x 6 =6
Total: 48
This is scaled at IBCA to give a total out of 24 %
Syllabus overview
1.
2.
Statistical analysis
Cells
•
•
•
•
•
•
Cell theory
Prokaryotic cells
Eukaryotic cells
Membranes
Cell division
Meiosis
3. The chemistry of life
• Chemical elements and water
• Carbohydrates, lipids and proteins
• Enzymes,
• Cell respiration
• Photosynthesis
4. Genetics
• DNA structure
• DNA replication
• Transcription and translation
• Chromosomes, genes, alleles and mutations
• Theoretical genetics
• Genetic engineering and biotechnology
5. Ecology and Evolution
• Communities and Ecosystems
• Energy flow in an ecosystem
• Greenhouse effect
• Populations
• Evolution
• classification
6. Human health and physiology
• Digestion
• The transport system
• Defence against infectious disease
• Gas exchange
• Nerves, hormones and homeostasis
• Reproduction
AHL
Topic 7
• Meiosis
• DNA structure
• DNA replication
• Transcription
• Translation
• Enzymes
Topic 8
• Cell respiration
• Photosynthesis
Topic 9
• Plant structure and growth
• Transport in angiospermophytes
• Reproduction in angiospermophytes
Topic 10
• Dihybrid crosses and gene linkage
• Polygenic inheritance
Topic 11
• Defence against infectious disease
• Muscles and movement
• The kidney
• Reproduction
Options
Option E – Neurobiology and Behaviour
Option F – Microbes and biotechnology