SL and HL courses share the core syllabus. HL students study to a far greater depth and breadth.

Core curriculum

• cell biology

• molecular biology

• genetics

• ecology

• evolution and biodiversity

• human physiology

Additional Higher Level topics (AHL)

HL covers each topic in more depth with particular emphasis on:

• nucleic acids

• metabolism, cell respiration and photosynthesis

• plant biology

• genetics and evolution

• animal physiology

For Biology IB syllabus, click here.

Field courses 

There are compulsory field trips for HL and SL biologists. HL and SL students spend five days on Tioman Island studying coastal, coral reef and rainforest ecosystems. The field trip entails a cost to parents.

• research, experimental and personal skills to carry out insightful and ethical investigations

• analytical and evaluative skills

• IT skills

• internationalism and Theory of Knowledge (ToK) aspects of Biology

• presentation skills

External assessment – 80%

• paper 1 – multiple choice 

• paper 2 – data-based question, short and extended response 

Internal assessment – 20%

• individual investigation

Biology not only provides the springboard into ‘pure’ natural science courses at university, but is also valuable for applied biological sciences such as medicine, pharmacy, biochemistry, veterinary science, agriculture, forestry, marine science, physiotherapy, sports physiology. Many, but not all, university courses for Biology expect another science at HL.