The Science Department - Biology

Forms 4 - 5

Length:  2 years

Rationale:
Through this programme students learn about the human body and plants as well as the environment and its constutuents.  Students are also encouraged to develop attitudes relevant to Biology such as concern for accuracy and precision; objectivity; integrity; enquiry; initiative; inventiveness.

Course Description:

The chemistry syllabus covers the following topics:

• Characteristics and classification of living organisms – characteristics, classification, diversity and simple keys.

• Organisation and maintenance of the organism – cell structure and organisation, transport processes, nutrition, transport and excretion.

• Development of the organism and the continuity of life – reproduction, growth and development, inheritance

• Relationships of the organisms with one another and with their environment – energy flow, food chains and food webs, nutrient cycles, population size, human influences on the ecosystem.

All students study a common core syllabus which allows them to achieve up to grade C at IGCSE.  Many students also study additional material for each topic, the extended syllabus, which allows them to achieve grades up to A*.

Assessment:
During forms 4 and 5 students carry out a number of internally assessed practical exercises which together count for 20% of the final IGCSE grade.

External assessment consists to two written examination papers.  Students attempting the core syllabus take Paper 1 and Paper 2. Students offering the extended syllabus take Paper 1 and Paper 3.  The weighting is as follows:

Core:               Paper 1 (30%); Paper 2 (50%)
Extended:       Paper 1 (30%); Paper 3 (50%)

LBIS assessment for term grades consists of class-work, homework, project work, unit tests and end of year examination.

Forms 6 - 7

Length: 2 years

Pre-requisite
HL: a C or above in Biology at IGCSE
SL: a pass in Biology at IGCSE

Rationale

The IB Diploma Programme allows learners to explore concepts, as they acquire in-depth knowledge and develop understanding across a wide range of disciplines.  They acquire skills to conduct inquiry and give thoughtful consideration to their own learning and experience, acting with integrity and a sense of respect for life and the environment.

Course Description

A common core syllabus is offered to students at standard level (SL) and higher level (HL).  There are also some overlapping elements in the options studied.  SL students are required to spend 110 hours on the theory and 40 hours on practical work, while HL students are expected to cover theory in 180 h and compile 60 hours’ practical work.

• Discuss the nature of scientific theories

• Explain processes in terms of biological principles

• Describe structure, relating this to function

• Analyse  data, interprete graphs and patterns

Assessment:
Coursework is continuously assessed throughout the two years of the IB Biology course.  Internal assessment of coursework counts for 24% of the final IB grade.  Areas assessed are:

• Design

• Data Collection and Processing

• Conclusion and Evaluation

• Personal Skills

• Manipulative Skills

In the final IB examination the papers are weighted as follows:

• HL Paper 1 and 2 (core syllabus) 56% HL Paper 3 (options) 20%

• SL Paper 1 and 2 (core syllabus) 52% SL Paper 3 (options) 24%

In school, students will be assessed 5 times during Form 6 and 4 times during Form 7.  (the forth assessment being the mock exams). Each assessment will be based on written IB questions for the topics studied.  Grades are awarded on an IB scale.