IB Biology Yr. 2
2012-2013
Conference: 5 & B-4
Tutorials: 1st Sem. M- F 8-8:45 am
Patrick Matous
pmatous@dentonisd.org
School # – 940-369-2051
Cell # - 940-300-0464
2nd Sem. M-F 4:15-5pm
Other times may be available by request.
Higher level International Baccalaureate Biology is a two-year course of study which emphasizes basic biochemistry, cell structure
and function, genetic patterns of inheritance, plant form and function, evolution, ecology, human physiology, statistical analysis,
microbiology, biotechnology, taxonomy and the international nature of science.
The course is designed to provide opportunities for scientific study and creativity within a global context that will stimulate and
challenge students.
IB Biology HL will include two optional topics chosen by Denton High School in addition to the core biology topics which are included
in IB Biology curriculum world-wide. Option D – Evolution and Option F – Microbes and Biotechnology will be taught at Denton High
School. Chosing two topics for concentrated study will deepen the students’ understanding of biology instead of a wider approach
that only scans the surface of this field. Evolution, Option D, is a major theme of biology which touches every aspect of the living
world, from molecular biology and genetics to interactions of global populations and communities. Option F includes microbiology
and biotechnology that are both rapidly growing fields in which learning will benefit students who are interested in the health
sciences.
Students in IB Biology HL are required to conduct structured labs and design their own experimental projects emphasizing the topics
they learn in class. Instruction is student-centered with cooperative learning as well as teacher directed, thus offering the student a
college-level biology experience.
The compulsory Group 4 project encourages students to realize that one discipline is not isolated from another and that developing
their natural curiosity by being critical thinkers, inquirers and risk-takers as well as knowledgeable and principled communicators will
allow them to work on problems together in order to discover solutions toward a common goal. Students will learn to appreciate
the environmental, social and ethical implications of science. The Group 4 project is collaborative and interdisciplinary by having
students analyze a topic or problem which can be investigated in each of the science disciplines offered by the school -- biology,
chemistry and physics. It is also an opportunity for students to explore scientific solutions to global questions.
More about the group 4 project is given later in this document.
Students will sit for the higher level International Baccalaureate Biology exam in the spring of their senior year.
Assessments:
The assessment of the biology course will be evaluated through internal assessment (IA) and external assessment (EA) and the
Group 4 Project using PSOW (practical scheme of work) and critical aspects.
Internal Assessment:
The internal assessment (IA) requirements are worth 24% of the final assessment (or 36% for design technology), consists of an
interdisciplinary project, a mixture of short- and long-term investigations (such as laboratory practicals and subject-specific projects)
and, for design technology only, the design project.
Student work is internally assessed by the teacher and externally moderated by the IBO. The performance in IA is marked against
assessment criteria, with each criterion having a maximum mark of 6.
Internal Assessment Criteria and aspects:
There are five assessment criteria that are used to assess the work of both SL and HL students.





Design—D
Data collection and processing—DCP
Conclusion and evaluation—CE
Manipulative skills—MS
Personal skills—PS
The first three criteria—design (D), data collection and processing (DCP) and conclusion and evaluation (CE)—are each assessed
twice.
Manipulative skills (MS) is assessed summatively over the whole course and the assessment should be based on a wide range of
manipulative skills.
Personal skills (PS) is assessed once only and this will be during the group 4 project.
Each of the assessment criteria can be separated into three aspects as shown in the following sections. Descriptions are provided to
indicate what is expected in order to meet the requirements of a given aspect completely (c) and partially (p). A description is also
given for circumstances in which the requirements are not satisfied, not at all (n).
Assessment criteria can be found in the Vade Mecum.
External Assessment:
Paper 1
Paper 1 is made up of multiple-choice questions that test knowledge of the core and AHL material for students at HL. The questions are designed to be short; one- or
two-stage problems that address objectives 1 and 2 (see the “Objectives” section). No marks are deducted for incorrect responses. Calculators are not permitted, but
students are expected to carry out simple calculations.
Paper 2
Paper 2 tests knowledge of the core and AHL material for students at HL. The questions address objectives 1, 2 and 3 and the paper is divided into two sections.
In section A, there is a data-based question that requires students to analyze a given set of data. The remainder of section A is made up of short-answer questions.
In section B, students at HL are required to answer two questions from a choice of four. These extended-response questions may involve writing a number of
paragraphs, solving a substantial problem, or carrying out a substantial piece of analysis or evaluation. A calculator is required for this paper.
Paper 3
Paper 3 tests knowledge of the options and addresses objectives 1, 2 and 3. Students at HL are required to answer several short-answer questions and an extendedresponse question in each of the two options studied. A calculator is required for this paper.
Higher level assessment specifications
Component
Overall Weight Duration of Test
 Paper 1 –
20%
1 hour
 Paper 2 –
36%
2.25 hours
 Paper 3 –
20%
1.25 hours
 Calculators are not permitted for Paper 1, but students are expected to carry out simple calculation
 A calculator is required for Paper 2 and Paper 3.
Group 4 project:
The group 4 project is an interdisciplinary activity in which all Diploma Programme science students must participate. The intention is that students from the different
group 4 subjects analyze a common topic or problem. The exercise should be a collaborative experience where the emphasis is on the processes involved in scientific
investigation rather than the products of such investigation.
In most cases all students in a school would be involved in the investigation of the same topic. Where there are large numbers of students, it is possible to divide
them into several smaller groups containing representatives from each of the science subjects. Each group may investigate the same topic or different topics—that is,
there may be several group 4 projects in the same school.
The group 4 Project forms one part of a candidate’s overall practical experience and does not contribute and fixed percentage to internal assessment.
Materials:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
“Biology” 6th edition – Campbell and Reece
2x3 ring binder – at least 1.5 inches
2 spiral notebook (notes)
notebook paper
Pen and Pencil
Scientific Calculator (recommended)
Grading Policy:
There are three basic types of grades in this class: daily work, laboratory experiments, projects/ tests. Daily work may include note checks, review quizzes, and
worksheets. The scale used is as follows:
Daily work – 15%
Laboratory work - 25%
Projects and tests
- 60%
Labs and Tests will comprise the majority of your grade
Scope and Sequence:
Order & Timeline of Topics: for IB Biology Yr. 2
topics
1st
lecture/test
Lecture/test
Add topics
options
DATE
YEAR TWO TOPICS
5.5
8-22/8-26
Classification
9.1
8-26/9-1
Plant Structure
9.2, 6.2
9-1/9-16
Transport in animals and in angiosperms
9-20/10-11
Reproduction in animals and in angiosperms
10-11/10-31
Photosynthesis
5.3
10-31/11-2
Population
5.1
11-4/11-9
Communities & ecosystem
Group IV
stuff
9.3
2nd lecture
/test
3.8
8.2
3rd
Option F – 11-14/12-7
Microbes & biotechnology
Semester final-psow
4th
Option F – 1-3/1-11
6.3
5th
11.1
Microbes & biotechnology
1-11/1-18
Defense against infections
6.5
1-20/2-1
Nerves, Hormones, Homeostasis
6.4
2-3/2-9
Gas Exchange
6.1
2-13/2-21
Digestion
11.3
2-23/3-2
Kidney
Systems test
3-6
R
E
V
I
E
W / PSOW
6th
R
E
V
I
E
May17/18
IB Test
Total hours YEAR TWO
Important dates to remember:
1.
2.
3.
IA Submitted by Friday March 19th
IB Bio. test:
Thursday – May 17th Friday– May 18th (pm)
After school or Saturday study sessions or lab dates as needed and decided on in class!
The Denton Independent School District does not discriminate on the basis of sex, handicap, race, color, and or national
origins in its educational programs. Admission to career programs is based on age, grade, interest, aptitude and ability.
Lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admissions and participation in any educational programs.
This document has been viewed and accepted by:
Robyn Ford
Science Department Chair (D.H.S. Administrator)
 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------We have reviewed Coach Matous’s IB Biology 2nd yr. course syllabus. Detach and return only this bottom portion.
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