IB Biology

Organise current IB Biology by its four themes, then strengthen data and investigation skills.

Connect biological ideas across molecular, cellular, organism and ecosystem scales
Build mechanistic explanations through precise terminology, sequence and consequence
Evaluate patterns, statistics and alternative explanations before accepting a biological claim
Align variables, sampling, analysis and evaluation while preserving student authorship

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Connect biology across scale and theme Reduce content overload by linking molecules, cells, organisms and ecosystems through recurring mechanisms.

Trace across scales: Follow matter, energy, information and regulation through levels of organisation.
Use structure-function reasoning: Explain how form enables or limits a biological role.
Integrate the themes: Connect unity, form, interaction and continuity rather than studying them in isolation.

Write precise mechanistic explanations Build answers from location, sequence, interaction and consequence rather than keyword accumulation.

Control terminology: Distinguish closely related molecules, structures and processes.
Follow causality: Explain how one step changes the next in the system.
Match command terms: Calibrate description, explanation, discussion and evaluation.

Evaluate biological data and statistical evidence Move from identifying patterns to judging whether the evidence supports the proposed explanation.

Describe with data: Use values, variation, trends and anomalies accurately.
Interpret statistics: Connect sampling, uncertainty and significance to biological meaning.
Evaluate claims: Separate association, mechanism, causation and alternative explanations.

Build a coherent biological investigation Align question, variables, sampling, processing and evaluation while preserving student authorship.

Control variation: Plan controls, sample size, repeats and ethical considerations.
Choose analysis: Match graphs, calculations and statistical tests to the question.
Evaluate proportionately: Link biological and methodological limitations to conclusions and improvements.

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A · Unity and diversity: Water, nucleic acids, cells, origins, classification and biodiversity.; Water and nucleic acids
Cells and common origins
Classification and biodiversity
B · Form and function: Molecules, membranes, organelles, organ systems and adaptations.; Biological molecules and membranes
Organelles and cells
Organ systems and adaptations
C · Interaction and interdependence: Enzymes, metabolism, communication, defence, populations and ecosystems.; Enzymes and metabolism
Communication, defence and coordination
Populations and ecosystems
D · Continuity and change: DNA replication, protein synthesis, reproduction, inheritance, evolution and homeostasis.; DNA replication and protein synthesis
Reproduction and inheritance
Evolution and homeostasis
Assessment: Paper 1A/1B, Paper 2 and the internally assessed scientific investigation.; Paper 1A: multiple-choice questions
Paper 1B: data-based questions
Paper 2: short-answer and extended-response questions
Internally assessed scientific investigation; The exact duration and weighting depend on subject and SL or HL. Teaching follows the current IB Diploma Programme guide and the student’s registered level.

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4 lessons per month 90 minutes per lesson

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