--- title: "Biology" site: "Scotch Global Connect" url: "https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/ibdp-biology" description: "Biology is primarily concerned with the study of life and living systems. Biologists attempt to make sense of the world through a variety of approaches and techniques, experimentation and collaboration." published: "2023-10-02" updated: "2024-04-10" --- # Biology Biology is primarily concerned with the study of life and living systems. Biologists attempt to make sense of the world through a variety of approaches and techniques, experimentation and collaboration. Path: Courses › Biology ## Biology SL and HL Group 4 – Sciences ## As one of the three natural sciences in the IBDP, biology is primarily concerned with the study of life and living systems. Biologists attempt to make sense of the world through a variety of approaches and techniques, controlled experimentation and collaboration between scientists. At a time of global introspection on human activities and their impact on the world around us, developing and communicating a clear understanding of the living world has never been of greater importance than it is today. Through the study of IBDP biology, students are empowered to make sense of living systems through unifying themes. By providing opportunities for students to explore conceptual frameworks, they are better able to develop understanding and awareness of the living world around them. This is carried further through a study of interactions at different levels of biological organisation, from molecules and cells to ecosystems and the biosphere. Integral to the student experience of the IBDP biology course is the learning that takes place through scientific inquiry. With an emphasis on experimental work, teachers provide students with opportunities to ask questions, design experiments, collect and analyse data, collaborate with peers, and reflect, evaluate and communicate their findings. IBDP biology enables students to constructively engage with topical scientific issues. Students examine scientific knowledge claims in a real-world context, fostering interest and curiosity. By exploring the subject, they develop understandings, skills and techniques which can be applied across their studies and beyond. ## Course aims ### [Biology](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/schedule/aims-biology) | Develop conceptual understanding that allows connections to be made between different areas of the subject, and to other DP sciences subjects. | |---| | Acquire and apply a body of knowledge, methods, tools and techniques that characterise science. | | Develop the ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise scientific information and claims. | | Develop the ability to approach unfamiliar situations with creativity and resilience. | | Design and model solutions to local and global problems in a scientific context. | | Develop an appreciation of the possibilities and limitations of science. | | Develop technology skills in a scientific context. | | Develop the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively. | | Develop awareness of the ethical, environmental, economic, cultural and social impact of science. | ## Assessment requirements ### [Biology](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/schedule/assessment-biology) | **Standard level and higher level** | **Weighting** | **Type** | **Description** | |---|---|---|---| | Scientific investigation | 20% | Internal | The scientific investigation is an open-ended task in which the student gathers and analyses data in order to answer their own formulated research question. The outcome of the scientific investigation will be assessed through the form of a written report. The maximum overall word count for the report is 3,000 words. | | Examination | 36% | External | Paper 1A Multiple-choice questions. Paper 1B Data-based questions (four questions that are syllabus related, addressing all themes). | | Examination | 44% | External | Paper 2 Data-based and short-answer questions and extended-response questions. | | | | | | ## Our IBDP courses ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level ### [Year 7 English](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-english) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students listen to, read, view, interpret, evaluate and perform a range of spoken, written and multimodal texts. ### [Year 8 English](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-english) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students listen to, read, view, interpret, evaluate and perform a range of spoken, written and multimodal texts. ### [Year 7 The Arts](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-the-arts) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students have opportunities to use and apply visual art language and artistic conventions in their design and production process. ### [Year 8 The Arts](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-arts) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students have opportunities to use and apply visual art language and artistic conventions in their design and production process. ### [Year 7 Health and Physical Education](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-health-and-pe) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students learn how to take positive action to enhance their health, safety and wellbeing ### [Year 8 Health and Physical Education](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-health-and-pe) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students learn how to take positive action to enhance their health, safety and wellbeing ### [Year 7 Spanish](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-spanish) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Spanish will be our language in the Connect Year 7 programme. ### [Year 8 Spanish](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-spanish) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Spanish will be our language in the Connect Year 8 programme. ### [Year 7 Technologies](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-technologies) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students have opportunities to learn about technologies in society in a variety of contexts. ### [Year 8 Technologies](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-technologies) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students have opportunities to learn about technologies in society in a variety of contexts. ### [Year 7 Humanities](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-humanities) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students develop increasing independence in critical thinking and skill application. ### [Year 8 Humanities](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-humanities) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students develop increasing independence in critical thinking and skill application. ### [Year 7 Mathematics](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-mathematics) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students are introduced to proficiency strands: understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning. ### [Year 8 Mathematics](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-mathematics) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students are introduced to proficiency strands: understanding, fluency, problem-solving and reasoning. ### [Year 7 Science](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-7-science) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students explore the diversity of life on Earth and continue to develop their understanding of the role of classification in ordering and organising information. ### [Year 8 Science](https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/year-8-science) ### IBDP subject groups ### Group 1 ### Group 2 ### Group 3 ### Group 4 ### Group 5 ### Group 6 ### Core ### Course level ### Standard level ### Higher level Postdate: 02 Oct 2023 Students explore the diversity of life on Earth and continue to develop their understanding of the role of classification in ordering and organising information. ## Topics - Group 4 - Standard level - Higher level --- Canonical HTML version: https://global.scotch.wa.edu.au/connect/courses/ibdp-biology