IB Biology 1st yr. 2014-2015
Conference: 1A-B
Dr. Gianluca (John) Corsi
gcorsi@dentonisd.org
School # – 940-369-2051
Tutorials: Every day before and after school
by appointment.
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 C – Ecology and Conservation will be taught during the 1st year. Choosing 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. Ecology, Option C, is a critical
theme of biology and touches important aspect of our role within the environment.
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.
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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 shortanswer 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 extended-response 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.
Something for notes
1 composition notebook (lab data & BILL)
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. 60% of your grade is Exams/Projects, 25% of your grade is labs, and 15% of your grade will be classwork/quizzes.
Important dates to remember:
1.
2.
3.
IA Submitted at the beginning of March
IB Bio. test: Paper 1 & 2 May 9th & Paper 3 May 12th
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.
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