Course Description

The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a rigorous pre-university course of studies, leading to examinations, that meets the needs of highly motivated secondary school students. Biologists have accumulated huge amounts of information about living organisms and it would be easy to confuse students by teaching too great a burden of seemingly unrelated facts. Instead it is hoped that the student will develop a secure knowledge of a limited body of facts and at the same time a broad general understanding of the subject. The student should be able to apply this general understanding as widely as possible and this ability will be tested in examinations. (Biology. 1996. Interational Baccalaureate Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland)

The IB curriculum divides content knowledge into two groups, the Standard Level (SL) and the Higher Level (HL). The first year IB Biology course will concentrate on the curriculum designed for the Standard Level (SL) students. HL content knowledge will be taught during the second year of IB Biology. In order to earn the IB diploma, students are required to pass IB generated examinations. The IB courses taught at South Salem High School are designed to meet the strict curriculum requirements so students can take the IB examinations with confidence.

There are 60 hours of labs that are required for successful completion of HL Biology.  Although every attempt will be made to complete these labs during classtime, there may be occasions when after school work becomes necessary.  It is expected that IB students will complete the labwork (either during class or after school) paying due attention to the details of the lab and their lab notes with a positive attitude and demeanor.  Labwork is not restricted to experiments or other scientific investigations, but also includes returning the lab to a clean, organized state. 

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Required Materials

Textbook: Campbell, N.A., J. B. Reece, and L.G. Mitchell. 1999. Biology. Fifth Edition. Scott Foresman-Addison Wesley, Glenview, Illinois.

Lab Manual: Morgan, Judith A. and M. Eloise Brwon Carter. 1999. Investigating Biology: Third Edition. Addison Wesley Longman, Inc., Menlo Park, California.

Lab Notebook:  A 1 1/2" binder that is dedicated specifically for biology.  The notebook is to remain in rm 211 and may not be removed without permission.

The IB program requires that teachers submit a "practical scheme of work" for each IB candidate. The compliation of each student's work is faciliated by each student maintaining a Portfolio of Investigations. The portfolio will include data analyses made in the field and/or laboratory from direct observations, the outcomes of data manipulation exercises and "full write-ups" of a few practicals. It must also contain evidence relating to activites carried out as part of the Group 4 Project (information regarding the Group 4 Project will be discussed later in the year). A copy of any written instructions, worksheets and guidelines given to students concerning the practical tasks carried out must also be included.

"Students are also encouraged to keep a log book. This could be used for personal jottings, notes, raw data collection, planning ideas, aides memoires, etc., throughout their studies." (Biology. 1996. International Baccalaureate Organisation, Geneva, Switzerland).

In order to meet IB standards, students are required to maintain a notebook that will contain their Portfolio of Investigations. Students' log books will be maintained within the same notebook as their Portfolio.

There may be several times during the year when after school or weekend study or lab groups are scheduled.  The Group 4 Project may also fall into this category.  Attendance at all such activities are required unless prior arrangements are made.  Participation in the Group 4 Project is mandatory regardless of whether the student is intending on taking IB exams.  The Group 4 Project is typically scheduled in March.  Failure to participate in the Group 4 Project will result in failure of the second semester.

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Syllabus

The syllabus represents a tentative course outline and is subject to change. All links listed are a subset of those provided by On-line Course Companion for Biology 5th Edition, Campbell, Reece and Mitchell.

Click on the Topic links for IB objectives. It is highly recommended that you print the objectives and use them as a study guide.

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