IB D
P
B
2012-13
International Baccalaureate Diploma Biology is a two year course preparing students for IB Examinations in May of the second year. In addition to exams, the final marks will be determined by internal assessment (lab reports) which are graded by the teacher and moderated by an examiner from the IB. All IB science courses have a strong emphasis on experimentation and the scientific method as a way of gaining knowledge and understanding.
Students study IBDP Biology at either Higher (HL) or Standard Level (SL). The main difference has to do with the time and depth of study required. Higher grades are also required of students in HL Subjects for earning the IB
Diploma, for university acceptance and for the possibility of college credit.
Core Topics for both SL and HL Hours Additional Topics for HL Hours
1: Statistical Analysis
2: Cells
3: The Chemistry of Life
4: Genetics
5: Ecology and Evolution
6: Human Health and Physiology
Extended Study (Options):
D: Evolution
G: Ecology and Conservation
Practical Work
2
12
15
15
16
20
7: Nucleic Acids and Proteins
8: Cell Respiration & Photosynthesis
9: Plant Science
10: Genetics
11: Human Health and Physiology
Extended Study (Options):
15
15
D: Evolution
G: Ecology and Conservation
40 Practical Work
11
10
11
6
17
22
22
60
Minimum Teaching Hours 150 Minimum Teaching Hours 240
Exam
Paper
1
2
Format
Multiple choice
Data analysis, short answer and essay
Time (hours)
SL HL
¾
1¼
3 Analysis and short answer from options 1
Internal Assessment (Lab Reports) externally moderated by the IBO
1
2¼
1¼
Weighting (%)
SL HL
20
32
20
36
24
24
20
24
 IB Biology Course Guide. This guide published by the IBO details the outline of topics and specific assessment statements from which all IB tests and exams draw for their questions.
 IB Diploma Programme Biology Course Companion by Andrew Allott and David Mindorff published by
Oxford University Press. This is designed to build understanding in IBDP Biology.
 IB Study Guides Biology for the IB Diploma by Andrew Allott and published by the Oxford University Press is a smaller book with little explanation. It does not build understanding but is a quick source of review information targeting the IBDP Biology Course.
 Biozone IB Student Workbook published by Biozone International aims to be a student-centered resource to strengthen independent learning and critical thinking. This workbook is purchased by the students through the OSC business office for their own use and to write in.

Managebac and OSC DP Biology Wiki
 Further resources, assessments, calendars, student feedback and a grade book is found online through
Managebac for which all students have login information: https://osc.managebac.com/login
 Daily homework further online resources and learning expectations are posted on a public access wiki found at: http://osc-dp-biology.wikispaces.com/
Expectations
Students are expected to act in a way that supports and actively encourages the learning of all students in the school. In part this will be seen by the following:
 Be respectful of all people and property
 Be safe and maintain a safe attitude and environment
 Come to class fully prepared with all materials and ready to learn
 Leave the classroom clean and orderly
 Ask for help early when material or assignments are not understood
 It is the students’ responsibility to take ownership of their own learning and to get instructions on missed class work and assignments from other class members in the first case and the teacher second.
Assignments
It is expected that students will have daily homework for IB Biology. This homework will be made up of reading assignments, written assignments, online activity and media assignments and regular review. All reading and most written homework assignments are due at the BEGINNING of class. Electronically submitted assignments may be due at different times and may be uploaded for online electronic assessment and plagiarism/originality checking. Daily homework assignments fall under the OSC homework policy in case they are missing. IB required assignments are also generally NOT accepted after the time they are due. Any IB required work which is accepted after the due time may be graded lower according to the assessment rubrics.
All student work must reference the original sources of all ideas, data and quotations. This not only respects the original author’s rights and prevents plagiarism but also increases the validity and authority of the student’s work by acknowledging their own background research and reading. Students will fail the course and the IB Diploma for plagiarism or lack of academic honesty.
IBDP Biology semester grades are as far as possible, predictive of final IB Exams and Assessments. These grades are also used by universities to give preliminary admissions or offers which must be followed up by similar results on the IB exams.
In order to ensure the IB assessment standards are adhered to in IB Biology, there are two steps which are followed. First a grade is indicated by percentage grade boundaries that correspond closely to the IB science grade boundaries each year. Second, student overall performance is checked with the IB Science Grade
Descriptors and modified accordingly.
85 – 100% = 7 Excellent Performance
70 – 84% = 6 Very Good Performance
55 – 69% = 5 Good Performance
45 – 54% = 4 Satisfactory Performance
30 – 44% = 3 Mediocre Performance
15 – 29% = 2 Poor Performance
0 – 14% = 1 Very Poor Performance
Test and Quizzes
Practical Work and Lab Reports
Homework and Class Work
60%
25%
15%
The IB Diploma Science Grade Descriptors are found on a separate document which is given to the students periodically for self assessment. These may be requested from me by email and are found on the wiki and
Managebac and correspond closely to the OSC Grade Descriptors found on student reports, but with greater detail and clarification for IBDP sciences. These are the actual descriptors used by the IB Examiners each year to set the grade boundaries for IB Examinations and Internal Assessments.
Contact:
Feel free to contact me with any further questions or concerns: tgetter@osc.lk
The IBO Website has a wealth of information about the IB Diploma Programme: www.ibo.org