Image Credit: International Baccalaureate Organization.
Core Topics (95 Hours)
Topic 1. Cell biology (15 Hours)
1.1 Introduction to Cells
1.3 Membrane Structure
1.4 Membrane Transport
1.5 Origin of Cells
1.6 Cell Division
Topic 2. Molecular biology (21 Hours)
2.1 Molecules to Metabolism
2.2 Water
2.3 Carbohydrates and Lipids
2.4 Proteins
2.5 Enzymes
2.6 Structure of DNA and RNA
2.7 DNA Replications, Transcription, and Translation
2.8 Cell Respiration
2.9 Photosynthesis
Topic 3. Genetics (15 Hours)
3.1 Genes
3.2 Chromosomes
3.3 Meiosis
3.4 Inheritance
3.5 Genetic Modification and Biotechnology
Topic 4. Ecology (12 Hours)
4.1 Species, Communities, and Ecosystems
4.2 Energy Flow
4.3 Carbon Cycling
4.4 Climate Change
Topic 5. Evolution and biodiversity (12 Hours)
5.1 Evidence for Evolution
5.2 Natural Selection
5.3 Classification and Biodiversity
5.4 Cladistics
Topic 6. Human physiology (20 Hours)
6.2 The Blood System
6.3 Defense Against Infectious Disease
6.4 Gas Exchange
6.5 Neurons and Synapses
6.6 Hormones, Homeostasis, and Reproduction
Additional Higher Level Topics (60 Hours)
Topic 7. Nucleic Acids (9 Hours)
7.1 DNA Structure and Replication
7.2 Transcription and Gene Expression
7.3 Translation
Topic 8. Metabolism, Cell Respiration and Photosynthesis (14 Hours)
8.1 Metabolism
8.2 Cell Respiration
8.3 Photosynthesis
Topic 9. Plant Biology (13 Hours)
9.1 Transport in the Xylem of Plants
9.2 Transport in the Phloem of Plants
9.3 Growth in Plants
9.4 Reproduction in Plants
Topic 10. Genetics and Evolution (8 Hours)
10.1 Meiosis
10.2 Inheritance
10.3 Gene Pools and Speciation
Topic 11. Animal Physiology (16 Hours)
11.1 Antibody Production and Vaccination
11.2 Movement
11.3 Kidney and Osmoregulation
11.4 Sexual Reproduction
Optional Topics
Option A. Neurobiology and Behaviour (15 Hours for SL and 25 hours for HL)
A.1 Neural development
A.2 The human brain
A.3 Perception of stimuli
A.4 Innate and learned behavior (Higher Level Only)
A.5 Neuropharmacology (Higher Level Only)
A.6 Ethology (Higher Level Only)
Option B. Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (15 Hours for SL and 25 hours for HL)
B.1 Microbiology: organisms in industry
B.2 Biotechnology in agriculture
B.3 Environmental protection
B.4 Medicine (Higher Level Only)
B.5 Bioinformatics (Higher Level Only)
Option C. Ecology and Conservation (15 Hours for SL and 25 hours for HL)
C.1 Species and communities
C.2 Communities and ecosystems
C.3 Impacts of humans on ecosystems
C.4 Conservation of biodiversity
C.5 Population ecology (Higher Level Only)
C.6 Nitrogen and phosphorus cycles (Higher Level Only)
Option D. Human Physiology (15 Hours for SL and 25 hours for HL)
D.1 Human Nutrition
D.2 Digestion
D.3 Functions of the Liver
D.4 The Heart
D.5 Hormones and Metabolism (Higher Level Only)
D.6 Transport of Respiratory Gases (Higher Level Only)
Practical scheme of work (40 Hours)
Prescribed and other practical activities (20 Hours)
Individual investigation (10 Hours)
Group 4 project (10 Hours)
References and Sources
- https://www.ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/curriculum/sciences/biology/
- https://blog.prepscholar.com/the-complete-ib-biology-syllabus-standard-level-sl-and-higher-level-hl
- https://www.sdgj.com/ckfinder/userfiles/files/9a6ff27578e18e3f1023a4dc046beef1.pdf