Suggestions for teaching the new IB Biology syllabus (2023 –)

The new syllabus has been divided into four themes (Unity and Diversity, Form and Function, Interactions and Interdependencies, Continuity and Change).
• These themes have been further sub-divided into four levels of organisation (Molecules, Cells, Organisms, Ecosystems).

While the use of themes is great for making connections between different topics, there are (in my opinion) a number of limitations with this model:
1. Certain concepts that are closely related may become disconnected across the themes (for example: evolution in A4.1 and natural selection in D4.1).
2. Higher level content is intrinsically embedded into the topics, making it difficult to teach separately from the standard level content.

Many schools have SL and AHL students learning in the same class and may not even start to teach the AHL content until the second year of the diploma.
• This allows students to get a feel for the subject and their own strengths and weaknesses before being made to lock in their SL and HL subject selections.

With this in mind, I have taken the content and reorganised it into traditional topics (similar to the existing Biology syllabus).
• An advantage of this is that all AHL content has been organised into discrete topics to better allow the separation of SL and AHL coursework.

On the following pages, I have included an outline of each teaching structure (Themes and Topics), as well as a possible example of a course plan for each.
• Each course plan is based on the premise that the school year consists of four 10-week terms and so the 2-year Diploma consists of roughly 70 weeks.
• Of the 70 weeks, 64 weeks were allocated for teaching the content (roughly 16 weeks per theme) and 6 weeks allocated to associated assessments.

The goal is to have the new website partially populated with content by the start of 2024 (sorry northern hemisphere teachers, I am from down under!)
• In the meantime, the old website should still be useful and will continue to remain online until all students have finished the old course (November 2024).

Section Page
Suggestions for teaching the new IB Biology syllabus (2023 –) 1
IB Syllabus by Theme 2
Proposed Themes Timeline 3–6
IB Syllabus by Topic 7
Proposed Topics Timeline 8 – 11
 IB SYLLABUS: THEMES
Level of Organisation
Theme
Molecules Cells Organisms Ecosystems
Common ancestry has given living organisms many shared features while evolution has resulted in the rich biodiversity of life on Earth.
A A1.1 Water A2.1 Origins of cells [HL only] A3.1 Diversity of organisms A4.1 Evolution and speciation
Unity and
diversity A1.2 Nucleic acids A2.2 Cell structure A3.2 Classification and cladistics A4.2 Conservation of diversity
A2.3 Viruses [HL only] [HL only]

Adaptations are forms that correspond to function.

These adaptations persist from generation to generation because they increase the chances of survival.

B B1.1 Carbohydrates and lipids B2.1 Membranes and B3.1 Gas exchange B4.1 Adaptation to
Form and B1.2 Proteins membrane transport B3.2 Transport environment
function B2.2 Organelles and B4.2 Ecological niches
B3.3 Muscle and motility
compartmentalisation [HL only]
B2.3 Cell specialization
Systems are based on interactions, interdependence and integration of components.
Systems result in emergence of new properties at each level of biological organization.
C
Interaction and C1.1 Enzymes and metabolism C2.1 Chemical signalling C3.1 Integration of body systems C4.1 Populations and
interdependence C1.2 Cell respiration [HL only] C3.2 Defence against disease communities
C2.2 Neural signalling C4.2 Transfers of energy
C1.3 Photosynthesis
Living things have mechanisms for maintaining equilibrium and for bringing about transformation.
Environmental change is a driver of evolution by natural selection.
D
Continuity and D1.1 DNA replication D2.1 Cell and nuclear division D3.1 Reproduction D4.1 Natural selection
change D1.2 Protein synthesis D2.2 Gene expression [HL only] D3.2 Inheritance D4.2 Stability and change
D1.3 Mutations / gene editing D2.3 Water potential D3.3 Homeostasis D4.3 Climate change
 Proposed Weekly Planner – Themes

Semester 1 (20 weeks)

Time Unit Content Sample Activities (SL) Sample Activities (HL)
3 weeks A1: Molecules A1.1 Water [SL/HL] DNA Extraction Molecular Visualisation
SL: 5 hours A1.2 Nucleic Acids [SL/HL] (Nucleosomes)

HL: 3 hours

3 weeks A2: Cells A2.1 Origins of Cells [HL] Microscopy

SL: 4 hours A2.2 Cell Structure [SL/HL]
HL: 5 hours A2.3 Viruses [HL]

3 weeks A3: Organisms A3.1 Diversity of organisms [SL/HL] Karyotyping Activity Dichotomous Key
SL: 6 hours A3.2 Classification and cladistics [HL] Genome Databases
HL: 2 hours

3 weeks A4: Ecosystems A4.1 Evolution and speciation [SL/HL] Phylogeny Tree
SL: 7 hours A4.2 Conservation of biodiversity [SL]
HL: 1 hours

3 weeks B1: Molecules B1.1 Carbohydrates and lipids [SL] Starch Hydrolysis Molecular Visualisation
SL: 6 hours B1.2 Proteins [SL/HL] (Diastase / Amylase) (Protein Structure)
HL: 2 hours

4 weeks B2: Cells B2.1 Membranes and Membrane Transport [SL/HL] Agar Cube Diffusion Beetroot Permeability
SL: 7 hours B2.2 Organelles and Compartmentalisation [SL/HL] (SA:Vol Ratio)

HL: 5 hours B2.3 Cell specialization [SL/HL]

1 week End of Semester Exam Week (Mid-Year)

 Proposed Weekly Planner – Themes

Semester 2 (20 weeks)

Time Unit Content Sample Activities (SL) Sample Activities (HL)
4 weeks B3: Organisms B3.1 Gas exchange [SL/HL] Respirometry
SL: 6 hours B3.2 Transport [SL/HL] Stomatal Density
AHL: 6 hours B3.3 Muscle and motility [HL] Heart Rate Experiment
Histology (Blood / Plants)

3 weeks B4: Ecosystems B4.1 Adaptation to environment [SL] Transect Data Goniometer
SL: 7 hours B4.2 Ecological niches [SL] Model Skull Comparisons

6 weeks C1: Molecules C1.1 Enzymes and metabolism [SL/HL] Yeast Fermentation Enzyme Inhibitor
SL: 8 hours C1.2 Cell respiration [SL/HL] Chromatography Experiment

AHL: 8 hours C1.3 Photosynthesis [SL/HL] Leaf Disc Experiment

4 weeks C2: Cells C2.1 Chemical signalling [HL] Oscilloscope Traces

SL: 3 hours C2.2 Neural signalling [SL/HL]
AHL: 7 hours

3 weeks End of Year Collaborative Sciences Project Group Project (10 hours)
Exam Week (End-Year)

NB: The Collaborative Sciences Project has been scheduled for the end of the first year of study as this is most likely to be the time when the timetable will
have suitable flexibility to allow for the cooperative participation of students from the different scientific disciplines (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, Physics).

NB: This schedule is structured for a HL cohort. While a SL cohort will take less time (in hours) to complete each unit, it is expected that they will also have
less class time per week in which to undertake their learning. It is expected that the teacher will adjust the time allocations for a SL cohort accordingly.
 Proposed Weekly Planner – Themes

Semester 3 (20 weeks)

Time Unit Content Sample Activities (SL) Sample Activities (HL)
4 weeks C3: Organisms C3.1 Integration of body systems [SL/HL] Bacterial Growth (ZoI) Seedling Phototropism
SL: 10 hours C3.2 Defence against disease [SL]
AHL: 2 hours

3 weeks C4: Ecosystems C4.1 Populations and communities [SL] Lincoln Index Activity
SL: 10 hours C4.2 Transfers of energy and matter [SL] Yeast Growth Curve
Chi-Squared Test Activity
Food Chain Activity

3 weeks Internal Assessment Self-designed Investigation and Report Student Experiments (10 hours)

6 weeks D1: Molecules D1.1 DNA replication [SL/HL] Transformation (pGLO)

SL: 8 hours D1.2 Protein synthesis [SL/HL]
AHL: 7 hours D1.3 Mutations and gene editing [SL/HL]

3 weeks D2: Cells D2.1 Cell and nuclear division [SL/HL] Potato Cube Osmosis Mitotic Index
SL: 2 hours D2.2 Gene expression [HL] Genetic Barley
AHL: 6 hours D2.3 Water potential [SL/HL]

1 week End of Semester Exam Week (Mid-Year)

NB: The internal assessment (individual scientific investigation) has been scheduled for the end of term 1 of the second year of study. It is expected that by
this point students will have had sufficient time to develop the requisite skills, while still being early enough to accommodate unexpected incursions.
 Proposed Weekly Planner – Themes

Semester 4 (20 weeks)

Time Unit Content Sample Activities (SL) Sample Activities (HL)
6 weeks D3: Organisms D3.1 Reproduction [SL/HL] Virtual Rat Dissection Chi-Squared Test
SL: 12 hours D3.2 Inheritance [SL/HL] Gene Database Activity (Dihybrid Crosses)
AHL: 8 hours D3.3 Homeostasis [SL/HL]

4 weeks D4: Ecosystems D4.1 Natural selection [SL/HL] Case Study: Guppies Allele Databases
SL: 9 hours D4.2 Stability and change [SL/HL] Mesocosm Experiment (Hardy-Weinberg)
AHL: 5 hours D4.3 Climate change [SL/HL]

10 weeks Final Examinations Revision

Final Examinations
Level Paper Marks Time Content
1A 30 30 multiple-choice questions on standard level material
55 (36%) 90 min
1B 25 Four data-based questions related to experimental work and the syllabus
SL
2 – Section A 34 Data-based question and short-answer questions on standard level material
50 (44%) 90 min
2 – Section B 16 Extended-response questions on standard level material (one of two options)

1A 40 40 multiple-choice questions on SL and AHL material

75 (36%) 120 min
1B 35 Four data-based questions related to experimental work and the syllabus
HL
2 – Section A 48 Data-based question and short-answer questions on SL and AHL material
80 (44%) 150 min
2 – Section B 32 Extended-response questions on SL and AHL material (two of three options)
 IB SYLLABUS: TOPICS
Cells Molecules

A2.2 Introduction [SL] B2.1 Membrane Transport [SL] A1.1 Water [SL] B1.1 Lipids [SL]
Cell Contents A2.2 Cell Types [SL] A2.1 Origins of Cells [HL] B1.1 Organic Compounds [SL] A1.2 Nucleic Acids [SL]
B2.3 Specialisation [SL] B2.2 Cell Structure [HL] B1.1 Carbohydrates [SL] B1.2 Proteins [SL]
B2.1 Membrane Structure [SL] B2.1 Cell Membranes [HL]

Metabolism Genetics

C1.1 Enzymes [SL/HL] D1.1 DNA Replication [SL/HL] D1.3 Genes [SL] D2.2 Epigenetics [HL]
Cell Processes
C1.2 Cell Respiration [SL/HL] D1.2 Transcription [SL/HL] D2.1 Cell Division [SL] D3.2 Gene Linkage [HL]
C1.3 Photosynthesis [SL/HL] D1.2 Translation [SL/HL] D3.2 Inheritance [SL] D1.3 Biotechnology [HL]

Equilibrium Body Systems Plant Systems

C3.1 Integration [SL] B3.2 Blood [SL/HL] C3.2 Immunity [SL] B3.1 Structure [SL]
Living Systems D3.3 Regulation [SL] B3.1 Respiratory [SL/HL] B3.3 Muscles [HL] D2.3 Transport [SL/HL]
C2.1 Communication [HL] C2.2 Nerves [SL/HL] D3.3 Kidneys [HL] D3.1 Germination [SL]
A2.3 Disease [HL] D3.1 Reproduction [SL/HL] C3.1 Plant Signalling [HL]

Biodiversity Nutrition Ecosystems Human Impacts

A4.1 Evolution [SL] B4.2 Niches [SL] C4.1 Populations [SL] D4.2 Pollution [SL]
D4.1 Natural Selection [SL] C4.2 Energy Transfer [SL] C4.1 Communities [SL] D4.3 Climate Change [SL]
A3.1 Diversity [SL] C4.2 Nutrient Cycling [SL] B4.1 Habitats [SL]
Environment
A4.2 Extinction [SL] D4.2 Ecosystems [SL]
A4.1 Speciation [HL] D4.2 Succession [HL]
D4.1 Gene Pools [HL] D4.3 Phenology [HL]
A3.2 Cladistics [HL]
 Proposed Weekly Planner – Topics

Semester 1 (20 weeks)

Time Unit Associated Content Sub-Topics Sample Activities (HL)
4 weeks Cells A2.2 Cell Structure Introduction to Cells Membrane Structure
SL: 11 hours B2.1 Membranes and Membrane Transport Cell Types Membrane Transport
B2.2 Organelles and Compartmentalisation Specialisation
B2.3 Cell specialization
D2.3 Water potential

4 weeks Biomolecules A1.1 Water Water Lipids

SL: 11 hours A1.2 Nucleic Acids Organic Molecules Nucleic Acids
B1.1 Carbohydrates and lipids Carbohydrates Proteins
B1.2 Proteins

5 weeks Metabolism C1.1 Enzymes and metabolism Enzymes Translation

SL: 15 hours C1.2 Cell respiration DNA Replication Cell Respiration
C1.3 Photosynthesis Transcription Photosynthesis
D1.1 DNA replication
D1.2 Protein synthesis

3 weeks Genetics D1.3 Mutations and gene editing Genes Inheritance

SL: 7 hours D2.1 Cell and nuclear division Cell Division
D3.2 Inheritance

3 weeks Equilibrium C3.1 Integration of body systems Systems Integration Systems Regulation
SL: 8 hours D3.3 Homeostasis

1 week End of Semester Exam Week (Mid-Year)

 Proposed Weekly Planner – Topics

Semester 2 (20 weeks)

Time Unit Associated Content Sample Activities (SL) Sample Activities (HL)
6 weeks Body Systems B3.1 Gas exchange Respiratory System Immune System
SL: 15 hours B3.2 Transport Blood System Reproductive System
C2.2 Neural signalling Nervous System
C3.2 Defence against disease
D3.1 Reproduction

2 weeks Plant Systems B3.1 Gas exchange Plant Structure Germination

SL: 5 hours B3.2 Transport Transpiration
D3.1 Reproduction

5 weeks Biodiversity A3.1 Diversity of organisms Evolution Classification

SL: 13 hours A4.1 Evolution and speciation Natural Selection Extinction
A4.2 Conservation of biodiversity
D4.1 Natural selection

4 weeks Nutrition B4.2 Ecological niches Niches Nutrient Cycling

SL: 10 hours C4.2 Transfers of energy and matter Energy Transfer

3 weeks End of Year Collaborative Sciences Project Group Project (10 hours)
Exam Week (End-Year)

NB: The Collaborative Sciences Project has been scheduled for the end of the first year of study as this is most likely to be the time when the timetable will
have suitable flexibility to allow for the cooperative participation of students from the different scientific disciplines (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, Physics).
 Proposed Weekly Planner – Topics

Semester 3 (20 weeks)

Time Unit Associated Content Sample Activities (SL) Sample Activities (HL)
4 weeks Ecosystems B4.1 Adaptation to environment Populations Habitats
SL: 12 hours C4.1 Populations and communities Communities Ecosystems
D4.2 Stability and change

1 week Human Impacts D4.3 Climate change Pollution Climate Change

SL: 3 hours

3 weeks Internal Assessment Self-designed Investigation and Report Student Experiments (10 hours)

3 weeks AHL: Cells A2.1 Origins of Cells Origins of Cells Cell Membrane
HL: 15 hours A2.2 / B2.1 / B2.2 /B2.3 – Assorted Content Cell Structure SL: Review Cells

6 weeks AHL: Metabolism C1.1 / C1.2 / C1.3 / D1.1 / D1.2 – Assorted Content Enzymes Translation
HL: 25 hours DNA Replication Cell Respiration
Transcription Photosynthesis
SL: Review Biomolecules SL: Review Metabolism

2 weeks AHL: Genetics D2.2 Gene expression Epigenetics Biotechnology

HL: 10 hours D1.3 / D3.2 – Assorted Content Gene Linkage SL: Review Genetics

1 week End of Semester Exam Week (Mid-Year)

NB: The internal assessment (individual scientific investigation) has been scheduled for the end of term 1 of the second year of study. It is expected that by
this point students will have had sufficient time to develop the requisite skills, while still being early enough to accommodate unexpected incursions.

NB: If students of both levels (SL and AHL) are being taught in the same class in the second year, it is expected that the AHL students will have additional
lessons to meet the higher workload. When AHL topics are eventually covered, SL students would be expected to revise the concomitant SL content.
This planner allocates 3 hours per week for SL content and 5 hours per week for AHL content in year two (3 hours per week for SL content in year one).
 Proposed Weekly Planner – Topics

Semester 4 (20 weeks)

Time Unit Associated Content Sample Activities (SL) Sample Activities (HL)
2 weeks AHL: Equilibrium C2.1 Chemical signalling [HL] Cell Signalling Cancer
HL: 10 hours C2.2 / C3.1 / D3.3 – Assorted Content Viruses SL: Review Equilibrium
4 weeks AHL: Body Systems B3.3 Muscle and motility Respiratory System Reproductive System
HL: 20 hours B3.1 / B3.2 / C2.2 / C3.2 / D3.1 – Assorted Content Blood System Muscular System
Nervous System Excretory System
SL: Review Body Systems

1 week AHL: Plant Systems C3.1 / D2.3 – Assorted Content Translocation Plant Signalling
HL: 5 hours SL: Review Plant Systems

2 weeks AHL: Biodiversity A3.2 Classification and cladistics Speciation Cladistics

HL: 10 hours A3.1 / A4.1 / A4.2 / D4.1 – Assorted Content Gene Pools SL: Review Biodiversity

1 weeks AHL: Ecosystems D4.2 / D4.3 – Assorted Content Succession Seasonal Changes
HL: 5 hours SL: Review Ecology SL: Review Human Impact
10 weeks Final Examinations Revision

Final Examinations
Level Paper Marks Time Content
1A + 1B 55 (36%) 90 min 30 multiple-choice questions and 4 data-based questions on standard level material
SL
2 (Sections A + B) 50 (44%) 90 min Data-based, short-answer and extended-response questions on standard level material
1A + 1B 75 (36%) 120 min 40 multiple-choice questions and 4 data-based questions on SL and AHL material
HL
2 (Sections A + B) 80 (44%) 150 min Data-based, short-answer and extended-response questions on SL and AHL material