Biology is the study of living organisms.In the IB, Biology is considered one of the natural sciences and the scientific way of thinking and method are applied. All students study a core material. This is supplemented by a number of options. At standard level the students must choose three options of 20 hours' study each. At higher level the students must choose two options of 30 hours each.
Core material for both SL and HL includes the study of:
- Cells
- The chemistry of life
- Genetics
- Ecology
- Human health and physiology
Additional core material for HL includes the study of:
- Cells
- Nucleic acids and proteins
- Cell respiration and photosynthesis
- Genetics
- Human reproduction
- Defence against infectious disease
- Classification and diversity
- Nerves, muscles and movements
- Excretion
- Plant science
Options:
At Birkerød Gymnasium standard level and higher level biology students are taught together. That means that one of SL "options" must be Cells and energy, which is taken entirely for HL core material.
Exam
Standard level:
Paper 1: 30 multiple choice questions (3/4 hour). Paper 2: 1 data-based question, several short answer questions (1/2 hour) and 1 extended response question (1/2 hour). Paper 3: 1 data-based and several short answer questions in each of the 3 options studied (1 1/4 hours).
Higher Level:
Paper 1: 40 multiple choice questions (1 hour). Paper 2: 1 data-based question, several short answer questions (3/4 hour) and 2 extended response question (1 1/2 hour). Paper 3: 1 data-based question, several short answer questions, 1 extended response question in each of the two options studied (1 1/4 hours).
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