IB DP 2 Year Course Overview
This is the most recent incarnation of the IB DP Biology Course. I currently teach a dual SL/HL course over two years. When I cover HL content I release my SL students. Depending of timing and the IA schedule, we have done the final Individual Investigation in both Spring of Year 1 and Fall of Year 2.
Year 1
Learning & Memory
During the regular progression of the course, I normally spread the option out through the two years. I have typically found the Neurobiology unit to be the most engaging and a great overlap for psychology students.
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We start the year discussing "what is learning", Skinner's experiment's with trial and error learning, memory (and how to make the most of it during revision), and conditioning.
Natural Selection
Natural Selection & Evolution are the most foundational ideas in the field of Biology. Virtually all questions asked later in the course boil down to natural selection. That's why I teach it first.
During this unit, students learn about the processes of natural selection, the evidence for evolution, speciation, types of cells, and where we think they came from. Taxonomy and Classification are used to help scientists make sense of the organisms we have on the planet.
We also develop briefly into the earliest lifeforms on Earth and their impact on the Earth's atmosphere. The ethology portion of the option provides excellent examples of natural selection.
Cells & The Immune System
After discussing the types of cells in the previous unit we delve deeply into the components of cells and how they work together. After putting together the basics of the endomembrane system, we using the immune system response as a specific example of the mechanisms of cellular action and the importance they play in physiology and populations.
Molecules Moving
Students have now seen great examples of endocytosis and exocytosis in the immune system, as well as a notable examples of proteins, in the form of antibodies, thrombin, fibrinogen, and fibrin. We now delve into the biomolecules that are the building blocks of organisms and the cell membranes they make up. Students return back to the examples they have seen before and learn about cell transport.
Systems That Transport
Now that students know how molecules move and how the cell membrane regulates these processes, the cardio-pulmonary systems and plant transport provide ample opportunities for more in-depth examples
Metabolism & Digestion
Biomolecules and cell transport make a comeback with student learning about enzymes and digestion.
Energy
We end the year with three subjects that tell a great story about energy. Starting with ecology and working through photosynthesis and SL cellular respiration. The connections between different scales of biology is fantastic and really helps them understand the carbon cycle and the importance of carbon sinks to a much high degree. Often I also teach much of the plant reproduction topic within ecology, as it shows great interspecific interactions.
Year 2
Individual Investigation
We start (or end, depending on the year) with the Individual Investigation. Students design, problem-solve, carry out, analyze, and evaluate their own investigation.
All the DNA
Combining all of the pars of the syllabus related to DNA structure, from nucleotides to karyotypes, gives students a very clear understanding of the scale of DNA. Given the volume, and similarity of the vocabulary, it's important to help students create their own road map to understand at which level each component is found.
The Cell Cycle & Replication
Starting with the cell cycle gives mitosis and DNA replication a great context. Students also get less confused when you separate Mitosis from Meiosis and DNA Replication from Protein Synthesis
Reproduction & Inheritance
After learning about DNA Packaging in DNA Mitosis, we stick to chromosomes for a while. Students work through a wide variety of inheritance problems. Sex-linked inheritance is an especially good way to introduce the concept of meiosis.
Protein Synthese
By the time we get to this unit, students know about the structure of DNA, Replication, and phenotypes. Protein synthesis ties up all of the loose ends and make a beautiful, comprehensive, story.
Movement & The Nervous System
Using this late unit as a great opportunity to revise, we dive into the intricacies of HL Cellular Respiration. Teaching the complex processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration separately, helps students distinguish the systems. Cellular Respiration is also a great connection to Muscles and Movement and the Nervous System.
The Kidney
We end the program with the magnificent Kidney. Osmoregulation make great connections between cell transport, physiology, and adaptation. It's a great review just beforethe final push.
Revision
Revise for the looming IB exam.