Studying the Diploma Programme (DP) biology offers a deep understanding of scale of life ranging from molecules and cells of organisms to ecosystems and the biosphere. As an experimental science, DP biology requires not only a theoretical understanding of the subject, but also an awareness of how biologists construct knowledge claims and the limitations of these methods.
As the study of living organisms, biology is essential for explaining the complexities of life. This subject emphasizes the interconnectedness of all life forms and the balance within ecosystems. Among the sciences, biology is often referred to as the "science of life" because of its foundational role in understanding the natural world. It is therefore often a prerequisite for many other courses in higher education, such as medicine and healthcare, biological and life sciences, environmental sciences and ecology, agricultural and veterinary sciences, biomedical sciences, public health and epidemiology, and forensic science.
Nature of science
Nature of science is an overarching theme in the DP biology, chemistry, physics, and sports, exercise and health science courses which aims to cultivate critical thinking, enabling students to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize scientific information while appreciating the limitations and possibilities of science in addressing global challenges.
Syllabus
The biology curriculum is built on four broad organizing themes, each comprising two concepts, together with four levels of organization. The theme and level of organization show the conceptual lenses through which the topic can be viewed. Each node shows the topic content.
Practical work
Practical work is a central aspect of the DP biology course allowing students to gain a deeper understanding of the subject content and associated concepts. It provides opportunities to develop a wide range of practical and investigative skills and to collaborate with peers. It presents students with the opportunity to experience a wide range of tasks, from closed to open inquiry, and from hands-on experimentation through to the use of simulations and modelling, incorporating technology where appropriate. The practical approach to the course delivery culminates in the interdisciplinary collaborative sciences project, that addresses real-world problems that can be explored through the range of subjects in the sciences group, and the scientific investigation, an assessed independent research.
Biology subject brief
Subject briefs are short two-page documents providing an outline of the course. Read the standard level (SL) and/or higher level (HL) subject brief below.
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Biology SL & HL – First teaching Aug/Sept 2023 (PDF, 359 KB) |
Latest curriculum updates
This subject is reviewed by the IB regularly to ensure the latest educational research is applied. Please keep up to date with the latest subject updates for Biology.
