IB Prospectus 2027 - Flipbook - Page 23
GROUP FOUR: EXPERIMENTAL SCIENCES
Biology (available at HL only)
This course will give you an understanding of the structure and functioning of
organisms at all levels from the molecular level to the whole organism. You will be
encouraged to appreciate the diversity of life and how di昀昀erent organisms show
adaptations that enable them to exploit di昀昀erent environmental conditions and to
recognise that these adaptations are a result of evolutionary change. Only Higher
level is o昀昀ered. Assessment is by external exam papers plus teacher-assessed
practical skills. You will also be required to participate in a collaborative project.
The four strands of the course are:
• Unity and Diversity
• Form and Function
• Interaction and interdependence
• Continuity and change.
Within each strand we study at the molecular,
cellular, organism and ecosystem level. The
course is assessed by exams at the end plus
teacher-assessed practical skills; the internal
assessment is worth 20% of your marks.
You will also take part in a collaborative
project with the Chemists and Physicists.
Previous titles for IAs include:
• Why do penguins huddle?,
• Why is pineapple served with gammon?
• What is the e昀昀ect of temperature on
osmosis, measured as percentage
change in mass of 5 apple types in 10%
w/v sucrose solution for 30 minutes?
MEET OUR STUDENTS
KEIRA CHRISTODOULOU
STUDIED:
Biology, Chemistry, History (HL)
Literature, Maths, Spanish (SL)
PREVIOUS SCHOOL
Davison CE School
WHAT NEXT?
Biomedical Sciences, University of Bath
My favorite part of studying the IB has been
the variation; being able to further develop my
knowledge and skills in all the di昀昀erent subjects I
enjoy. As well as this, I have enjoyed the international
aspect of the IB, through which I have learnt about
new countries in History and studied translated texts in
English, that I would unlikely have read otherwise.
“
I also found all the coursework
rewarding and think the skills I have
acquired of academic writing
will be incredibly bene昀椀cial at
university.
My favourite part of studying at
Varndean has been being part
of the IB community. Its been
really special getting to know
everyone so well, learning
about everyone's di昀昀erent
backgrounds and going
through the same journey
together."
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