IB Biology is an investigative science course with an emphasis on developing and

understanding the basic biological principles in a laboratory setting. This course is designed to
encourage you to critically analyze scientific information. In addition, we will discuss important
moral, ethical, social, economic and environmental implications of using science and technology
and also develop an appreciation of possibilities and limitations associated with the sciences.

SYLLABUS

SEMESTER 1

Essential question: How has scientific knowledge changed over time?

Each unit is approximately 5 weeks. The plan below is subject to change.
Class of 2018: SL: Core topics 1 6, Option C / HL: Core topics 1- 6, Additional higher level
topics 7 -11 Options C
Topic
Intro to IB
Cell biology
Molecular biology
Cellular energetics

SEMESTER 2

Species and
Communities

SUMMER

Energy Flow

Conservation
Group 4 project
Plant biology

CLASS OF 2018 YEAR 1

Content Standards
IB documents; Statistics
1.5 The origin of cells, 1.1 Introduction to cells, 1.2
Ultrastructure of cells, 1.3 Membrane structure, 1.4 Membrane
transport, 1.6 Cell division
2.2 Water, 2.1 Molecules of metabolism, 2.3 Carbohydrates and
lipids, 2.4 Proteins, 2.5 Enzymes
HL: 8.1 Metabolism
2.8 Cell respiration
HL: 8.2 Cell respiration
4.1 Species, communities and ecosystems, C1 Species and
Communities, C3 Impacts of humans on ecosystems (alien
species)
HL: C5 Population Ecology
4.2 Energy flow, 2.9 Photosynthesis, C2 Communities and
ecosystems, C3 Impacts of humans on ecosystems
(biomagnification)
HL: 8.3 Photosynthesis
4.3 Carbon cycling, 4.4 Climate change, Conservation of
biodiversity
HL: C6 Nitrogen and phosphorus cycles
HL only: 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