IB Diploma program is very famous worldwide due to its depth and holistic approach. There are six subject groups, and the Sciences – physics, chemistry, and Biology are very important subjects for students’ career-building and academic excellence. Some students want to join the field of medicine, engineering, environmental science or research work. These students study IB Sciences at a higher level to develop critical thinking and scientific approaches to investigation.
In this article, Our IB tutors will give you an overview of IB Sciences. You will get an idea about the structure of the curriculum of IB Sciences, assessment patterns, challenges and tips for success in IB Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Understand The course structure For Mastering IB Sciences – SL vs HL
IB syllabus is offered at two levels.
- Standard level (SL)– Students who do not have a special interest in a subject choose that subject at the standard level. They have decided to pursue non-science careers. The standard level requires less teaching in comparison to higher levels, and it also provides less content depth.
- Higher level. (HL)– Students who have an interest in making their career in science or in engineering, IB Sciences at a higher level. There are many additional topics which require critical thinking and a research attitude. These HL Sciences required 240 teaching hours.
Despite these differences, there are similar internal assessments and project work for SL and HL students. There is only the difference between the word limit and the required time.
Core topics breakdown
IB Biology– IB diploma program has an updated syllabus of IB Sciences, which has been developed to enhance enquiry-based learning and real-world scientific knowledge. The new curriculum of IB biology reflects the advanced biological Sciences and poster a conceptual understanding among students. There is a focus on collaboration, enquiry, analysis and application, full stop, which helps students to connect with the subject in an ethical context. The new syllabus has four themes which are interconnected with each other.
These are the four important themes of IB Biology.
- Unity and Diversity
- Water
- Nucleic acid
- Origins of sales
- Cell structure
- Viruses
- Diversity of organisms
- Classification and cladistics
- Evolution and speciation
- Conservation of diversity
- Form and function
- Carbohydrates and lipids
- Proteins
- Membranes and membrane transport
- Cell specialisation
- Gas exchange
- Transport
- Muscle and motility
- Adaptation to environment
- Ecological niches
- Interaction and interdependence
- Enzymes and metabolism
- Cell respiration
- Photosynthesis
- Chemical signalling
- Neural signalling
- Integration of body systems
- Defence against disease
- Populations and communities
- Transfer of energy and matter
- continuity and change
- DNA replication
- Protein synthesis
- Mutations and gene editing
- Cell and nuclear division
- Gene expression
- Water potential
- Reproduction
- Inheritance
- Homeostasis
- Natural selection
- Sustainability and change
- Climate change
IB biology syllabus is more organised and interconnected due to the themes which are recently introduced in the IB curriculum
1. The theme of unity and diversity focuses on the diverse nature of life, and it covers topics like cell biology and molecular Biology.
2. The theme of form and function is introduced to highlight the biological structure and its functioning stop. It highlights topics like the body’s system, immunity and enzymes.
3. Interaction and interdependence show the interaction of organisms and ecological systems.
4. Students also study inheritance evolution and biological change. All these changes are covered under the theme of continuity and change.
So, these four themes are very helpful for students to connect biology with Global and ethical contexts.
Core Topics- IB Chemistry
IB Diploma program offers chemistry at both levels. This subject works as a bridge between physical Sciences and life sciences. Students get the inside into the composition and behaviour of matter.
Structure 1. Models of the particulate nature of matter
- Introduction to the particulate nature of matter
- The Nuclear atom
- Electron configuration
- Counting particles by mass: The Mole
- Ideal gases
Structure 2. Models of bonding and structure
- The ionic model
- The covalent model
- The metallic model
- From models to materials
Structure 3. Classification of matter
- The periodic table: classification of elements
- Functional groups: classification of organic compound
Reactivity 1. What drives chemical reactions?
- Measuring and enthalpy change
- Energy cycles in reactions
- Energy from fuels
- Entropy and spontaneity ( HL)
Reactivity 2. How much, how fast, and how far
- How much? The amount of chemical change
- How fast? The rate of chemical change
- How far? The extent of chemical change
IB Chemistry helps students to develop the following skills –
1. students develop the skills to be experts in the following laboratory techniques titr: action, chromatography and synthesis.
2. They also do predictive chemical analysis and other stoichiometric calculations.
3. Students can use these skills in the fields of environmental science, chemical engineering, forensic science and pharmaceutical development.
Core Topics- IB Physics
IB Physics is divided into five broad themes, and there are several topics included under each theme.
Core themes and topics of IB Physics
- Space, time and motion– Kinematics, Forces and momentum, Work energy and power, Rigid body mechanics, Galilean and special relativity
- The particulate nature of matter– Thermal energy transfers, Greenhouse effect, Gas laws, Thermodynamics, Current and circuits
- Wave behaviour– Simple harmonic motion, Wave model, Wave phenomena, Standing waves and resonance, Doppler effect
- Fields– Induction, Gravitational fields, Electric and magnetic fields, Motion in electromagnetic fields
- Nuclear and quantum physics– Structure of the atom, Quantum physics, Radioactive Decay, Fission, Fusion and stars
Students developed the following skills through the study of IB physics.
1. They develop the skill of mathematical modelling.
2. They also learn how to interpret graphs and how to design practical experiments.
3. They can apply their knowledge in the fields of engineering, astronomy, renewable energy robotics and artificial intelligence.
Internal assessment of IB Sciences (IA) (Scintific Investigation)
Internal assessment of IB Sciences has 20% of the weightage, and there is an individual investigation for each science. Students prepare a research project where they conduct experiments, analyse data, and evaluate their findings. This internal assessment encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills of students.
Key features of IB Sciences internal assessment (IA)– Originality is the most important rubric of IB internal assessment projects.
- The report of investigation should cover a maximum of 3000 words, with no specified minimum page count or minimum word count.
- There should be a scientific rationale, methodology analysis of the data evaluation and conclusion of the findings.
Tips to prepare a strong internal assessment investigation report
- Students should choose a topic which is interesting for them, and they want to know more about that topic as curious learners. Their interest will stimulate their mind, and they will think out of the box.
- There should be good availability of resources to conduct the experiments.
- Students should analyse and evaluate the limitations.
Group four project– IB Sciences includes a group 4 project in internal assessment. The Group 4 project is a mandatory completion requirement for students, designed to promote collaboration and interdisciplinary work; however, it does not contribute to the student’s final subject grade. Projects often involve topics like sustainability and renewable energy, waste management in the school community, or investigating the effect of pollution on local ecosystems.
Assessment and grading of IB Sciences
1. The external assessment of IB Sciences has two question papers for each science. External assessment includes 80% weightage. Paper 1 is split into Paper 1A (multiple-choice questions) and Paper 1B (data-based and experimental work questions), with calculators now allowed for both sections. Paper 2 focuses on data-based, short-answer, and extended-response questions. A separate Paper 3 no longer exists.
2. The teachers grade internal assessment of IB Sciences, but the marks of internal evaluation are externally moderated. Internal assessment includes 20% weightage.
Why IB sciences are considered challenging
Despite many advantages, IB Sciences are considered challenging due to the following reasons.
1. IB Sciences requires good time management and continuous efforts. There is a heavy content load for the HL students.
2. Students should maintain a good balance because revision of vast content is crucial.
3. There is mathematics included in Physics and chemistry. This is also a reason that students find IB Sciences difficult.
4. Practical skills or lab knowledge is also needed.
5. IB Sciences demands critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Tips For Mastering IB Sciences
1. Students should focus on understanding the concept. They should take help from the diagrams and concept maps to grasp the difficult concept.
2. Students should collect the detailed syllabus of IB Sciences and check each detail carefully.
3. It’s very important to complete the syllabus before time and start the revision. Students can take help from past year’s question papers and check the type of questions. They should focus on the command terms outline, evaluate and distinguish.
4. Do not take your syllabus as a burden. Try to make it manageable by breaking it into small parts.
5. There are many digital resources available. Students should get help from these digital resources. They can hire online tutors who have experience teaching IB Sciences.
Conclusion:
IB sciences are the subjects which are shaping the mindset of curiosity and critical enquiry. Students developed the skills of collaboration and teamwork through experiments and projects. They start to think like scientists and get curious to know more about the universe. This subject is the most rewarding subject where students explore and discover. fill the form to book a free demo with our Online IB Tutors.
