Appendix 5
IB Diploma Programme course outlines
Name of the teacher who prepared the outline:
Jay Meyers and Gwen Funk
Name of the course:
IB Biology, HL
Course description:
The purpose of this course is to prepare the student for the International Baccalaureate
program in Biology. The program is a two-year course. It is the expectation of these
courses that students participate in a rigorous study of important biological principles that
help to explain how life works, and is equivalent to college introductory biology courses
usually taken by biology majors during their first year. Biology is one of many sciences
from which knowledge is obtained. The methodologies, processes, and interpretations by
biologists are diverse and will be utilized by students in these courses which will link to
the Theory of Knowledge course requirement. Molecules and Cells, Heredity and
Evolution, and Organisms and Populations are the three major areas of study. It is the
goals of this course to help the learner develop a conceptual framework throughout
modern biology content by emphasizing the integration of the content with eight major
themes: Science as a Process; Evolution (Change through Time); Energy Transfer;
Continuity and Change; Relationship of structure to function; Regulation;
Interdependence in nature; Science, technology, and global society.
Students will be required to:
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Read the appropriate sections of the textbook
Complete and submit online review questions sample:
http://www.sjsd.k12.mo.us/biology/ap/genetics_problems.htm
Complete in-class selected and free-response quizzes and exams
Complete the laboratory component and journal
Complete and submit lab reports
Participate in a group project and submit the results to the Mid America Regional
Science and Engineering Fair or other appropriate program of peer review
St. Joseph Central High School, 921548
Topics:
IB HL Biology 11th grade - Year One Outline: Laboratory Investigations (1 Class
Period = 1.38 Hours)(DL – Data Logging; GP – Graph Plotting; SS – Spreadsheet
Applications; DB – Database Applications; CM – Computer Modeling)
o Statistical Measures in Scientific Investigations (Exam 1)
 Nature of Science (local curriculum)
 Research (local curriculum)
 Statistics (1)
o Cells (Exam 2)
 Cell Theory (2.1) Limits of Cell Size: Surface Area to Volume
Ratio (1 Class Period; DL, SS, GP)
 Prokaryotic vs. Eukaryotic Cells (2.2, 2.3) Types of Cells:
Comparing and Contrasting Various Cell Types through
Microscopic Analysis (1 Class Period)
 Biological Membranes and Transport (2.4) Membrane Diffusion:
The Effects of Various Salt Concentrations on Diffusion (1 Class
Period; DL, SS, GP); Osmosis and Water Potential (2 Class
Periods; DL, SS, GP)
 Cellular Reproduction (2.5, 3.4, 4.2, 7.2, 10.1) Mitosis and
Meiosis (2 Class Periods; GP)
o Biological Chemistry (Exam 3)
 Water (3.1) Identifying Characteristics of Water Essential for
Life: Capillarity, Specific Heat, Cohesion, Heat of Vaporization,
and States of Matter (1 Class Period; DL, SS, GP)
 Biomolecules (3.2, 3.3, 7.1, 7.5) Chemistry of Life: Qualitative
Identification of Monosaccharides, Polysaccharides, Lipids, and
Proteins (1 Class Period)
o Bioenergetics (Exam 4)
 Enzymes (3.6, 7.6) Enzyme Activity: The Effects of Enzyme
Concentration, Substrate Concentration, and Temperature on the
Tyrosinase Activity (1 Class Period; DL, SS, GP)
 Cellular Respiration and ATP (3.7, 8.1) Effects of Temperature on
Cellular Respiration (1 Class Period; DL, SS, GP)
 Photosynthesis (3.8, 8.2) Absorbtion Spectrum and
Chromatographic Analysis of Pigment Extract (1 Class Period;
DL, SS, GP); Factors Affecting Photosynthesis Rates – OpenEnded Investigation (1 Class Period; DL, SS, GP)
o Genetics (Exam 5)
 Chromosomes-Genes-Alleles-Mutations (4.1) Fruit Fly Genetics
(Online Virtual Fly Lab) (2 Class Periods; CM); Comparing
Amino Acid Sequences (Bioinformatics: Part 1) (1 Class Period;
CM, DB)
 Transcription and Translation (3.5, 7.3, 7.4)
 Gene Theory (10.2, 10.3)
 Biotechnology (4.4, F.3) Transformation of E. Coli with pAMP
Plasmid (2 Class Periods); Restriction Digest Analysis of Lambda
DNA (2 Class Periods; SS, GP)
(Continued overleaf…)
St. Joseph Central High School, 921548
o
Evolution (Exam 6)
 Natural Selection (5.4)
 Origin of Life (D.1)
 Speciation (D.2)
 Human Evolution (D.3)
 Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium (D.4) Factors Affecting Hardy
Weinberg Equilibrium (1 Class Period; CM)
 Phylogeny and Systematics (D.5) Dichotomous Key (Use and
Design) (1 Class Period)
 Classification (5.5) Comparing Amino Acid Sequences
(Bioinformatics: Part 2) (1 Class Period; CM, DB)
Total: 31.74 Hours of Laboratory Work
IB HL Biology 12th grade - Year Two Outline:
o Group 4 Project (Ongoing throughout the year)
 Planning and Preparation
 Lab Work: (10-12 Hours)
 Presentations: (4 Hours)
o Ecology
 Ecosystem Structure (5.1, 5.3, G.1, G.2, G.5) Field Trip:
Conservation Area – Ecosystem Structure (1/2 day; DL)
 Human Influences (5.2, 6.3, G.4) Field Trip: Environmental
Quality Analysis (Soil, Water, Air, Biota) (6-8 Class Periods OR 2
full days; DL, SS, GP)
o Plant Science
 Structure and Growth (9.1) Micro/Macroscopic Analysis of Plant
Structures (roots, stems, leaves, flowers) (2 Class Periods); Plant
Hormones (Auxins, Gibberellins) (1 Class Period for setup –
Monitored for 2 weeks ~2 hours; SS, GP)
 Transport (9.2) Transpiration (1 Class Period; DL, SS, GP)
 Reproduction (9.3) Fast Plants (1 Class Period for setup –
Monitoring for 40 days ~5 Hours)
o Human Health and Physiology
 Digestion (6.1) Factors Affecting the Amylase/Starch Enzymatic
Digestion: Independent Investigation (2 Class Periods; SS, GP)
 Transport (6.2, 6.4) Microscopic Analysis of Capillary Blood
Movement in Fish (1 Class Period)
 Immune System (6.3, 11.1): ELISA of HIV Simulated Blood (1
Class Period)
 Homeostasis (6.5, 11.3) Circulatory System Homeostasis (1 Class
Period)
 Reproduction (6.6, 11.4)
 Muscles and Movement (11.2)
 Endocrine System (local curriculum)
St. Joseph Central High School, 921548
Total: 31.84 Hours of Laboratory Work
(Continued overleaf…)
St. Joseph Central High School, 921548
Assessment:
External:
Paper 1 (1 hour)
This is 40 multiple-choice questions exam for HL based on the core and AHL material
for students at HL. The questions are one- or two-stage problems that focus on
objectives 1 and 2. (20% of final grade)
Paper 2 (2 ¼ hours)
This is a two section test based on the core and AHL material for students at HL. Students
will have one data-based question and several short answer questions and TWO extended
response questions. The questions address objectives 1, 2 and 3 and focus on solving a
substantial problem, or carrying out a substantial piece of analysis or evaluation. (36% of
final grade)
Paper 3 (1 ¼ hours)
This is several short-answer questions and an extended-response question for HL
focusing on the options and objectives 1, 2 and 3. (20% of final grade)
Internal assessment
Consists of an interdisciplinary project, a mixture of short- and long-term investigations
throughout the course combining into at least 50 hours on practical activities and at least
10 hours for the project. The PSOW labs will take into account the level of achievement
the student possesses at the time of each lab. In addition each lab has been designed and
selected using the criteria for the project. The Internal Assessment will focus on the
student’s ability to design, gather data and execute, explain, evaluate inquiry based
investigations over objectives 1, 2 and 3, and both personal and manipulative skills. (24%
of the final grade)
Assessments will be given periodically throughout the course to assess students’ content
knowledge and process abilities. Unit exams as well as periodic selected-response and
extended free-response items will be utilized within the classroom. Continual formative
assessments may be used by the instructor(s) to monitor student progress and guide
instruction.
St. Joseph Central High School, 921548
Resources:
PRIMARY TEXT* and OTHER RESOURCES:
o *Biology, 7/E, © 2005. Neil A. Campbell, University of California, Riverside and
Jane B. Reece, Palo Alto, California. Pearson/Benjamin Cummings (ISBN: 08053-7146-X)
o Biology with Computers, 3E, © 2003. David Masterman and Scott Homan.
Vernier Software and Technology: Beaverton, OR. (ISBN: 1-929075-26-X)
o Diploma Programme Biology: IB Question Bank. © 2006. IBO: Cardiff-Wales.
o IB Diploma Programme Biology Course Companion. © 2007. Oxford University
Press: New York. ISBN: 978-0-19-915145-5).
o Biology First Examinations. © 2007. IBO: Cardiff-Wales.
o Advanced Placement Biology Lab Manual for Students, © 2001. College Entrance
Examination Board
o Laboratory Manual for Introductory Biology, © 1997. Truman State University:
Kirksville, MO.
o Biology Labs On-Line, © 2002. California State University and Benjamin
Cummings. http://www.biologylab.awlonline.com/ (Reviewers may sign up for
temporary access).
o Search for Solutions – DVD, © 2003. National Science Teachers Association.
Conoco Phillips.
o Evolution – DVD Series. WGBH Boston Video. Corresponding website:
http://www.pbs.org/evolution
o Intimate Strangers – DVD Series, © 1999. The Annenberg/CPB Collection: S.
Burlington, VT.
o The Shape of Life – DVD Series, © 2001. Sea Studios Foundation: Monterey,
CA.
o Animated Biological Processes – Videodisc Set. Addison-Wesley Publishing
Company, Inc.
Teaching time:
HL/SL course
Teaching hours
IB Biology, HL
250 Hours
**Calculations for HL course: 1.38 hours
per instructional day X 90 days of
instruction per school year, for two
consecutive years. The Central High
School schedule is based on an A/B Block
schedule.
St. Joseph Central High School, 921548
For group 4 subjects:
A large collection of laboratory exercises, including some used in the AP program
and Vernier Software digital data collection laboratory experiments will be used.
IB HL Biology 11 - Year One Outline: Laboratory Investigations (1 Class = 1.38
Hours)(DL – Data Logging; GP – Graph Plotting; SS – Spreadsheet Applications;
DB – Database Applications; CM – Computer Modeling)


Limits of Cell Size: Surface Area to Volume Ratio (1 Class; DL, SS, GP)
Types of Cells: Comparing and Contrasting Various Cell Types through
Microscopic Analysis (1 Class)
 Membrane Diffusion: The Effects of Various Salt Concentrations on
Diffusion (1 Class Period; DL, SS, GP); Osmosis and Water Potential (2
Classes; DL, SS, GP)
 Mitosis and Meiosis (2 Classes; GP)
 Identifying Characteristics of Water Essential for Life: Capillarity,
Specific Heat, Cohesion, Heat of Vaporization, and States of Matter (1
Class; DL, SS, GP)
 Chemistry of Life:
Qualitative Identification of Monosaccharides,
Polysaccharides, Lipids, and Proteins (1 Class)
 Enzyme Activity: The Effects of Enzyme Concentration, Substrate
Concentration, and Temperature on the Tyrosinase Activity (1 Class; DL,
SS, GP)
 Effects of Temperature on Cellular Respiration (1 Class; DL, SS, GP)
 Absorbtion Spectrum and Chromatographic Analysis of Pigment Extract (1
Class; DL, SS, GP); Factors Affecting Photosynthesis Rates – Open-Ended
Investigation (1 Class; DL, SS, GP)
 Fruit Fly Genetics (Online Virtual Fly Lab) (2 Class Periods; CM);
Comparing Amino Acid Sequences (Bioinformatics: Part 1) (1 Class; CM,
DB)
 Transformation of E. Coli with pAMP Plasmid (2 Classes); Restriction
Digest Analysis of Lambda DNA (2 Classes; SS, GP)
 Factors Affecting Hardy Weinberg Equilibrium (1 Class; CM)
 Dichotomous Key (Use and Design) (1 Class)
 Comparing Amino Acid Sequences (Bioinformatics Part 2) (1 Class;CM,
DB)
Total: 31.74 Hours of Laboratory Work
(Continued overleaf…)
St. Joseph Central High School, 921548
IB HL Biology 12 - Year Two Outline:
 Field Trip: Conservation Area – Ecosystem Structure (1/2 day; DL)
 Field Trip: Environmental Quality Analysis (Soil, Water, Air, Biota) (6-8
Classes OR 2 full days; DL, SS, GP)
 Micro/Macroscopic Analysis of Plant Structures (roots, stems, leaves,
flowers) (2 Classes); Plant Hormones (Auxins, Gibberellins) (1 Class for
setup – Monitored for 2 weeks ~2 hours; SS, GP)
 Transpiration (1 Class; DL, SS, GP)
 Fast Plants (1 Class for setup – Monitoring for 40 days ~5 Hours)
 Factors Affecting the Amylase/Starch Enzymatic Digestion: Independent
Investigation (2 Classes; SS, GP)
 Microscopic Analysis of Capillary Blood Movement in Fish (1 Class Period)
 ELISA of HIV Simulated Blood (1 Class)
 Circulatory System Homeostasis (1 Class)
Total: 31.84 Hours of Laboratory Work
Teachers have been instructed in inquiry-based instructional strategies that have
been shown to improve student learning. Student construction of scientific
explanations utilizing the claim, evidence, reasoning model allow students to
critically analyze scientific data and make connections to relevant biological
principles. Teachers have begun the process of designing the Group 4 project in
the area of environmental analysis of the Missouri River with connections to
biodiversity, transportation, hazardous wastes, and civil engineering. Large scale
study of the Missouri River with other schools is being considered and researched.
Timetable for Group 4 Project (Senior Year)
Introduce the project – in Aug
Planning, experimental design, and independent/group assignments – Aug/Sept
Field work/data collection – Sept/Oct
Data Analysis – Nov
Project conclusions and evaluation – Nov
Preliminary Report – Dec
Final Report – Jan
Submission for presentations – Feb
Presentations – March
In connection with TOK, students realize that Biology is the study of life in the
universe. Life crosses geopolitical boundaries and is not specific to a place or
region which brings interesting topics and discussion to students. Ecology studies
are taught on a local scale but should be applied globally. International case studies
will play an important role in understanding the connection between the sciences
and the world abroad. These case studies provide an excellent opportunity to
discuss global contexts and investigate culture of science in other
societies/civilizations towards International-Mindedness. The facility has 5 newly
remodelled science classroom laboratories. There are an additional 2 fully
functioning laboratory classrooms as well as 5 other classrooms with
demonstration tables only. Each classroom is fully connected to the internet, has
video and audio capabilities, as well as access to a mobile laptop cart with 32
laptops, printer, and wireless hub. The school has online periodical subscription
services (ERIC, H.W. Wilson Web, Noodle Tools, CQ Press, MoreNet, EBSCO
Host, and LitFinder) for research as well as subscriptions for print media (Nature,
Science, and Scientific American). Access to a local university library is also
available.
St. Joseph Central High School, 921548
For all subjects:
The facility has 5 newly remodeled science classroom laboratories. There are an
additional 2 fully functioning laboratory classrooms as well as 5 other classrooms with
demonstration tables only. Each classroom is fully connected to the internet, has video
and audio capabilities, as well as access to a mobile laptop cart with 32 laptops, printer,
and wireless hub. The school has online periodical subscription services (ERIC, H.W.
Wilson Web, Noodle Tools, CQ Press, MoreNet, EBSCO Host, and LitFinder) for
research as well as subscriptions for print media (Nature, Science, and Scientific
American). Access to a local university library is also available. Digital data Vernier
laboratory equipment is sufficient to cover 8 groups of 4 students each. Equipment may
be used using computer or calculator interface. A sufficient budget is also available to
purchase needed materials as well as a district contingency budget which can be accessed
in the event of urgent needs. Local state conservation resources, university facilities, and
nearby management areas are easily accessible for research and study. Curriculum
adoption budgeting is scheduled for the 2008-09 school year with textbook adoption and
purchasing in the spring of 2009. Biology is the study of life in the universe. Life crosses
geopolitical boundaries and is not specific to a place or region. Ecology studies are
taught on a local scale but should be applied globally. International case studies will play
an important role in understanding the connection between the sciences and the world
abroad.
St. Joseph Central High School, 921548