Content

Molecules

• Water
• Carbohydrates and lipids
• Proteins
• Enzymes and metabolism
• Cell respiration
• Photosynthesis
• Nucleic acids
• DNA replication
• Protein synthesis
• Mutations and gene editing

Cells

• Origins of cells (HL only)
• Cell structure
• Viruses (HL only)
• Membranes and membrane transport
• Organelles and compartmentalization
• Cell specialization
• Chemical signaling (HL only)
• Neural signaling
• Cell and nuclear division
• Gene expression (HL only)
• Water potential

Organisms

• Diversity of organisms
• Classification and cladistics (HL only)
• Evolution and speciation
• Adaptation to environment
• Natural selection
• Reproduction
• Inheritance
• Homeostasis
• Gas exchange
• Transport
• Muscle and motility (HL only)
• Integration of body systems
• Defense against disease

Ecosystems

• Conservation of biodiversity
• Ecological niches
• Populations and communities
• Transfers of energy and matter
• Stability and change
• Climate change
• Diversity of organisms
• Classification and cladistics
• Evolution and speciation
• Adaptation to environment
• Natural selection

Skills

• Use molecular visualization software to study the association between proteins and DNA within a nucleosome
• Make temporary mounts of cells and tissues, staining, measuring sizes using an eyepiece graticule, focusing with coarse and fine adjustments, calculating actual size and magnification, producing a scale bar, and taking photographs
• Identify cells in light and electron micrographs as prokaryote, plant, or animal
• In electron micrographs, draw and annotate diagrams of cell structures (cell wall, plasma membrane, secretory vesicles, and microvilli)
• Classify chromosomes by banding patterns, length, and centromere position
• Extract information about genome size for different taxonomic groups from a database to compare genome size to organism complexity
• Engage with local plant or animal species to develop a dichotomous key
• Make measurements to determine tidal volume, vital capacity, and inspiratory and expiratory reserves
• Perform leaf casts to determine stomatal density
• Distinguish arteries and veins in micrographs from the structure of a vessel wall and its thickness relative to the diameter of the lumen
• Determine heart rate by feeling the carotid or radial pulse with fingertips
• Evaluate epidemiological data relating to the incidence of coronary heart disease
• Draw plan diagrams from micrographs to identify the relative positions of vascular bundles, xylem, phloem, cortex, and epidermis
• Understand the sequence of events in the left side of the heart that follow the initiation of the heartbeat by the sinoatrial node (the “pacemaker”)
• Compare the range of motion of a joint in several dimensions
• Use transect data to correlate the distribution of plant or animal species with an abiotic variable
• Examine models or digital collections of skulls to infer diet from anatomical features (e.g., Homo sapiens, Homo floresiensis, Paranthropus robustus)
• Determine enzyme reaction rates through experimentation and using secondary data
• Make measurements to determine the rate of cell respiration
• Calculate Rf values from the results of chromatographic separation of photosynthetic pigments
• Determine rates of photosynthesis from data on oxygen production and carbon dioxide consumption for varying wavelengths
• Suggest hypotheses for the effects of limiting factors on photosynthesis and test these through experimentation
• Gather qualitative data, using diagrams to record observations of seedlings illustrating tropic responses
• Use the Lincoln index to estimate population size
• Interpret an oscilloscope trace in relation to cellular events of an action potential
• Collect data regarding population growth
• Apply chi-squared tests on the presence/absence of two species in several sampling sites
• Use research data from specific ecosystems to represent energy transfer and energy losses between trophic levels in food chains
• Identify the phases of mitosis using diagrams as well as with cells viewed through a microscope or in a micrograph
• Measure changes in tissue length and mass, and analyze data to deduce isotonic solute concentration
• Apply standard deviation and standard error to help in the analysis of data
• Understand the distinction between continuous variables (e.g., skin color) and discrete variables (e.g., ABO blood group)
• Apply measures of central tendency such as mean, median, and mode
• Use a box-and-whisker plot to display six aspects of data: outliers, minimum, first quartile, median, third quartile, and maximum
• Explore genes and their polypeptide products in databases
• Interpret data from John Endler’s experiments with guppies
• Use databases to search allele frequencies, with at least one human example
• Calculate percentage change in the extent of deforestation

Content

Structure 1: Models of the Particulate Nature of Matter

• Introduction to the particulate nature of matter
• The nuclear atom
• Electron configurations
• Counting particles by mass: The mole
• Ideal gases

Structure 2: Models of Bonding and Structure

• The ionic model
• The covalent model
• The metallic model
• From models to materials

Structure 3: Classification of Matter

• The periodic table and periodicity
• Functional groups and the classification of organic compounds

Reactivity

1. What drives chemical reactions?

• Measuring enthalpy changes
• Energy cycles in reactions
• Energy from fuels
• Entropy and spontaneity

2. How much, how fast, and how far?

• The amount of chemical change
• The rate of chemical change
• The extent of chemical change and equilibrium

3. What are the mechanisms of chemical change?

• Proton transfer reactions
• Electron transfer reactions
• Electron sharing reactions
• Electron-pair sharing reactions

Skills

Experimental Programme

• Practical work
• Collaborative sciences project
• Scientific investigation

Tool 1: Experimental Techniques
Tool 2: Technology
Tool 3: Mathematics Inquiry Process

Inquiry 1: Exploring and Designing
Inquiry 2: Collecting and Processing Data
Inquiry 3: Concluding and Evaluating

Content

Topic 1: Foundation

• How do different perspectives develop?
• How do perspectives affect the decisions we make concerning environmental issues?

Topic 2: Ecology

• How can natural systems be modelled, and can these models be used to predict the effects of human disturbance?

Topic 4: Water

• How do water systems support life on Earth, and how do they interact with other systems, such as the carbon cycle?

Topic 7: Natural Resources

• How does the renewability of natural capital have implications for its sustainable use?
• How might societies reconcile competing perspectives on natural resource use?
• To what extent can human societies use natural resources sustainably?

Skills

• Calculation of percentage increase
• Reporting investigations (ESS lab reports)
• Identification of feedback loops
• Use of systems diagrams to represent complex systems, both seen and unseen

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of relevant:

• Facts and concepts
• Methodologies and techniques
• Values and attitudes

Apply this knowledge and understanding in the analysis of:

• Explanations, concepts, and theories
• Data and models
• Case studies in unfamiliar contexts
• Arguments and value systems

Evaluate, justify, and synthesize, as appropriate:

• Explanations, theories, and models
• Arguments and proposed solutions
• Methods of fieldwork and investigation
• Cultural viewpoints and value systems

Engage with investigations of environmental and societal issues at the local and global level through:

• Evaluating the political, economic, and social contexts of issues
• Selecting and applying the appropriate research and practical skills necessary to carry out investigations
• Suggesting collaborative and innovative solutions that demonstrate awareness and respect for the cultural differences and value systems of others

Content

Content

Space, Time, and Motion

• Kinematics
• Forces
• Momentum
• Work
• Energy
• Power
• Rigid Body Mechanics (HL)
• Galilean Relativity (HL only)
• Special Relativity (HL only)

The Particulate Nature of Matter

• Thermal Energy Transfers
• Greenhouse Effect
• Gas Laws
• Thermodynamics (HL only)
• Current, pd, Resistance
• Circuits

Wave Behaviour

• Thermal Energy Transfers
• Greenhouse Effect
• Gas Laws
• Thermodynamics (HL only)
• Current, pd, Resistance
• Circuits

Fields

• Gravitational Fields
• Electric Fields
• Magnetic Fields
• Motion in Electromagnetic Fields
• Induction (HL only)

Nuclear and Quantum Physics

• Structure of the Atom
• Quantum Physics (HL only)
• Radioactive Decay
• Fission
• Fusion and Stars

Skills

• Describing and analyzing motion in terms of position, velocity, and acceleration
• Outlining the differences between distance and displacement, speed and velocity, calculating the average and instantaneous values of velocity and acceleration
• Applying equations of motion to solving projectile problems
• Recognizing the impact of fluid resistance
• Resolving motion into appropriate components
• Application of Newton’s laws of motion
• Drawing free body diagrams and analyzing resultants
• Frictional forces and the nature and application of contact forces
• Understanding the nature and use of field forces
• Using momentum within interactions, collisions, and explosions, applying energy considerations
• Circular motion and applications of centripetal force
• Applying and calculating work, energy, power, efficiencies, and energy transformations
• Understanding the impact and application of mechanical energy conservation
• Connecting linear motion applications from Newton’s laws to rotational rigid body dynamics and equations of motion
• Moment of inertia applied to rotational motion of different mass-distributed objects and KE of rotational motion
• Applying frames of reference and special relativity
• Using Lorentz transformation equations, applying dilation and contraction, and understanding space-time diagrams
• Applying molecular theory, density calculations, temperature scales, thermal energy transfers, and calculations
• Black body radiation luminosity and brightness scales including Wien’s law and Boltzmann law applications
• Applying conservation of energy, emissivity, albedo, solar constant calculations, and understanding the connection of greenhouse gases to the emission and absorption of infrared radiation and the greenhouse effect
• Applying gas law data, gas behavior equations, monatomic gases, and ideal gas conditions of temperature, pressure, and density
• Laws of thermodynamics applied, entropy within systems and their net changes, applying thermodynamic processes to solving problems including heat engines and pumps
• Building and drawing circuits, applying current, pd, power, and resistance, applying Ohm’s law, and dissipation of power
• Solving combination circuit problems with resistors and/or cells in series and parallel, applying Ohm and Kirchhoff laws
• Conditions, examples, and defining equations of simple harmonic motion, specific application to mass-spring systems and simple pendulum equations, and energy changes within oscillations
• Understanding types of wave motion, defining variables, and the nature of sound, water, light, and electromagnetic waves
• Wave and particle nature of light, diffraction, reflection, refraction principles, and applications of Snell’s law, superposition of waves, and interference patterns including single, double slit, as well as conditions for constructive and destructive interference and applications for multiple slits
• Conditions for standing waves, drawing them with nodes and antinodes as applicable to strings and pipes
• Applying different levels of damping and resonance
• Doppler effect sound and light, considering the effect of motion of the source or an observer and extending understanding to large body motion in spectral line analysis
• Applying Kepler’s laws and Newton’s law of universal gravitation for large masses, gravitational field strength, lines, and potentials and their equation/solution work
• Distinguishing and calculating escape and orbital speeds
• Applying electric and magnetic field concepts, forces, field strengths, potentials, and equation usage
• Magnetic field forces on charges/conductors in magnetic fields
• Force equation uses and application to parallel wires
• Understanding flux and flux linkage and electromagnetic induction and its effects in different scenarios
• Applying nuclear notation and experiments in the discovery of the nucleus, relevance of emission and absorption spectra, and analysis of energy transitions within the atom
• Using Einstein’s photoelectric effect and his energy-mass equivalence equations, de Broglie wavelength, and photon scattering connecting the dual nature of matter and light
• Understanding nuclear instability and radioactive decay: alpha, two types of beta decay, and gamma radiation
• Finding decay constant, activity, half-life, decay law application, understanding discrete and continuous spectra
• Understanding nuclear power station components, fission reactions, fusion energy sources in stars, and star evolution
• Knowing the 4 axes of the Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, star properties, stellar parallax calculations for stellar distance calculations, and determining star radii

Content

Core Theme: Knowledge and the Knower

Optional Themes
Students are required to study two optional themes from the following five options:

• Knowledge and technology
• Knowledge and language
• Knowledge and politics
• Knowledge and religion
• Knowledge and Indigenous Societies

Areas of Knowledge
Students are required to study the following five areas of knowledge:

• History
• The human sciences
• The natural sciences
• The arts
• Mathematics

Assessment
Students are required to complete two assessment tasks:

• TOK exhibition (internally assessed)
• TOK essay on a prescribed title (externally assessed)

Skills

The aims of the TOK course are:

• To encourage students to reflect on the central question, “How do we know that?”, and to recognize the value of asking that question
• To expose students to ambiguity, uncertainty, and questions with multiple plausible answers
• To equip students to effectively navigate and make sense of the world, and help prepare them to encounter novel and complex situations
• To encourage students to be more aware of their own perspectives and to reflect critically on their own beliefs and assumptions
• To engage students with multiple perspectives, foster open-mindedness, and develop intercultural understanding
• To encourage students to make connections between academic disciplines by exploring underlying concepts and by identifying similarities and differences in the methods of inquiry used in different areas of knowledge
• To prompt students to consider the importance of values, responsibilities, and ethical concerns relating to the production, acquisition, application, and communication of knowledge.