Group 4 - Experimental Sciences

Biology

Biology is the study of life. The vast diversity of species makes biology both an endless source of fascination and a considerable challenge. Biologists attempt to understand the living world at all levels from the micro to the macro using many different approaches and techniques. Biology is still a young science and great progress is expected in the 21st century. This progress is important at a time of growing pressure on the human population and the environment. By studying biology in the DP students should become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. While the scientific method may take on a wide variety of forms, it is the emphasis on a practical approach through experimental work that characterizes the sciences. Teachers provide students with opportunities to design investigations, collect data, develop manipulative skills, analyse results, collaborate with peers and evaluate and communicate their findings

Biology SL & Biology HL


Chemistry 

Chemistry is an experimental science that combines academic study with the acquisition of practical and investigational skills. Chemical principles underpin both the physical environment in which we live and all biological systems. Chemistry is often a prerequisite for many other courses in higher education, such as medicine, biological science and environmental science. Both theory and practical work should be undertaken by all students as they complement one another naturally, both in school and in the wider scientific community. The DP chemistry course allows students to develop a wide range of practical skills and to increase facility in the use of mathematics. It also allows students to develop interpersonal and information technology skills, which are essential to life in the 21st century. By studying chemistry students should become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. While the scientific method may take on a wide variety of forms, it is the emphasis on a practical approach through experimental work that characterizes the subject. Teachers provide students with opportunities to develop manipulative skills, design investigations, collect data, analyse results and evaluate and communicate their findings.

Chemistry SLChemistry HL


Computer Science

The IB DP Computer science SL course requires an understanding of the fundamental concepts of computational thinking as well as knowledge of how computers and other digital devices operate. The course, underpinned by conceptual thinking, draws on a wide spectrum of knowledge, and enables and empowers innovation, exploration and the acquisition of further knowledge. Students study how computer science interacts with and influences cultures, society and how individuals and societies behave, and the ethical issues involved. During the course the student will develop computational solutions.

Computer Science SLComputer Science HL


Design Technology

The Diploma Programme design technology course aims to develop internationally minded people whose enhanced understanding of design and the technological world can facilitate our shared guardianship of the planet and create a better world. Inquiry and problem-solving are at the heart of the subject. DP design technology requires the use of the design cycle as a tool, which provides the methodology used to structure the inquiry and analysis of problems, the development of feasible solutions, and the testing and evaluation of the solution. A solution can be defined as a model, prototype, product or system that students have developed independently. DP design technology achieves a high level of design literacy by enabling students to develop critical-thinking and design skills, which they can apply in a practical context. While designing may take various forms, it will involve the selective application of knowledge within an ethical framework.

Design Technology SL & Design Technology HL


Environmental Systems

Environmental systems and societies (ESS) is an interdisciplinary course offered only at standard level (SL). This course can fulfill either the individuals and societies or the sciences requirement. Alternatively, this course enables students to satisfy the requirements of both subjects groups simultaneously while studying one course. ESS is firmly grounded in both a scientific exploration of environmental systems in their structure and function, and in the exploration of cultural, economic, ethical, political and social interactions of societies with the environment. As a result of studying this course, students will become equipped with the ability to recognize and evaluate the impact of our complex system of societies on the natural world. The interdisciplinary nature of the DP course requires a broad skill set from students, including the ability to perform research and investigations, participation in philosophical discussion and problem-solving. The course requires a systems approach to environmental understanding and promotes holistic thinking about environmental issues. Teachers explicitly teach thinking and research skills such as comprehension, text analysis, knowledge transfer and use of primary sources. They encourage students to develop solutions at the personal, community and global levels.

Environmental Systems & Societies SL


Physics

Physics is the most fundamental of the experimental sciences as it seeks to explain the universe itself, from the very smallest particles to the vast distances between galaxies. Despite the exciting and extraordinary development of ideas throughout the history of physics, observations remain essential to the very core of the subject. Models are developed to try to understand observations, and these themselves can become theories that attempt to explain the observations. Besides helping us better understand the natural world, physics gives us the ability to alter our environments. This raises the issue of the impact of physics on society, the moral and ethical dilemmas, and the social, economic and environmental implications of the work of physicists. By studying physics students should become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. While the scientific method may take on a wide variety of forms, it is the emphasis on a practical approach through experimental work that characterizes the subject. Teachers provide students with opportunities to develop manipulative skills, design investigations, collect data, analyse results and evaluate and communicate their findings.

Physics SL & Physics HL


Sports, Exercise, and Health Science

Sports, exercise and health science (SEHS) is an experimental science course combining academic study with practical and investigative skills. SEHS explores the science underpinning physical performance and provides the opportunity to apply these principles. The course incorporates the disciplines of anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, psychology and nutrition. Students cover a range of core and option topics, and carry out practical (experimental) investigations in both laboratory and field settings. The course offers a deeper understanding of the issues related to sports, exercise and health in the 21st century and addresses the international dimension and ethics related to both the individual and global context. Apart from being worthy of study in its own right, SEHS is good preparation for courses in higher or further education related to sports fitness and health, and serves as useful preparation for employment in sports and leisure industries. Both the SL and HL have a common core syllabus, internal assessment scheme, and overlapping elements in the options studied. While the skills and activities are common to all students, HL requires additional material and topics within the options.

Sports, Exercise and Health SL


Tronc Commun

Biologie

La biologie est l’étude de la vie. La grande diversité des espèces fait de la biologie à la fois une source de fascination infinie et un énorme défi. Les biologistes tentent de comprendre le monde vivant à tous les niveaux, de l’échelle microscopique à l’échelle macroscopique, en utilisant de nombreuses approches et techniques différentes. La biologie est encore une science jeune et l’on prévoit de faire de grands progrès au cours du XXIe siècle. De tels progrès sont importants à une époque où la population humaine et l’environnement subissent une pression toujours croissante. En étudiant la biologie dans le cadre du Programme du diplôme, les élèves devraient prendre conscience de la façon dont les scientifiques travaillent et communiquent entre eux. Si la méthode scientifique peut prendre un grand nombre de formes, c’est l’accent mis sur l’approche pratique, grâce au travail expérimental, qui caractérise les sciences. Les enseignants donnent aux élèves l’occasion de concevoir des recherches, de recueillir des données, d’acquérir des compétences de manipulation, d’analyser des résultats, de collaborer avec leurs pairs ainsi que d’évaluer et de communiquer leurs constatations.

Biologie NM


Chimie

La chimie est une science expérimentale qui associe l’étude de la théorie à l’acquisition de compétences pratiques et de recherche. L’environnement physique dans lequel nous vivons ainsi que tous les systèmes biologiques reposent sur des principes chimiques. La chimie est souvent une matière requise pour de nombreux autres cours de l’enseignement supérieur (par exemple, médecine, biologie et sciences de l’environnement). Tous les élèves doivent se consacrer à l’étude de la théorie et à des travaux pratiques. En effet, ces deux domaines de la chimie se complètent naturellement, aussi bien au niveau scolaire que dans la communauté scientifique plus étendue. Le cours de chimie du Programme du diplôme permet aux élèves d’acquérir un large éventail de compétences pratiques et d’utiliser avec une aisance croissante les mathématiques. Il permet également aux élèves de développer leur sociabilité et de mieux maîtriser les nouvelles technologies de l’information, des compétences qui s’avèrent essentielles pour affronter la vie au XXIe siècle. En étudiant la chimie, les élèves devraient prendre conscience de la façon dont les scientifiques travaillent et communiquent entre eux. Si la méthode scientifique peut prendre un grand nombre de formes, c’est l’accent mis sur l’approche pratique, grâce au travail expérimental, qui caractérise cette matière. Les enseignants donnent aux élèves l’occasion d’acquérir des compétences de manipulation, de concevoir des recherches, de recueillir des données, d’analyser des résultats ainsi que d’évaluer et de communiquer leurs constatations.

Chimie NMChimie NS


Physique

De toutes les sciences expérimentales, la physique est la plus fondamentale car elle cherche à expliquer l’univers, de ses plus petites particules aux vastes distances entre les galaxies. Malgré l’évolution passionnante et extraordinaire qui a eu lieu tout au long de l’histoire de la physique, certaines choses demeurent inchangées. L’observation reste essentielle en physique. Afin d’essayer de comprendre ces observations, des modèles scientifiques sont élaborés ; ces modèles peuvent euxmêmes devenir des théories tentant d’expliquer les observations. En plus de nous aider à améliorer notre compréhension du monde naturel, la physique nous permet par ailleurs de modifier nos environnements. Cela soulève plusieurs questions parmi lesquelles on notera l’impact de la physique sur la société, les questions d’éthique et de morale ainsi que les implications sociales, économiques et environnementales du travail des physiciens. En étudiant la physique, les élèves devraient prendre conscience de la façon dont les scientifiques travaillent et communiquent entre eux. Si la méthode scientifique peut prendre un grand nombre de formes, c’est l’accent mis sur l’approche pratique, grâce au travail expérimental, qui caractérise cette matière. Les enseignants donnent aux élèves l’occasion d’acquérir des compétences de manipulation, de concevoir des recherches, de recueillir des données, d’analyser des résultats ainsi que d’évaluer et de communiquer leurs constatations.

Physique NMPhysique NS


Updated September 24, 2020