IB SUBJECT INFORMATION

  What subjects are on offer at Lomond?

Group 1 - Language A:                           English Literature

Group 2 - Language B:                           French / Spanish / Italian beginners

Group 3 - Individuals and Societies:   Economics / Geography / History 

Group 4 - Sciences:        Biology / Chemistry / Physics / Sports Science

Group 5 - Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches/ Applications and Interpretations

Group 6 - Arts and seconds: *Theatre / Visual Arts / a second language / a second science / a second individual and humanities 

*please note that currently it is not possible to take two arts subjects (Theatre and VA) and still fulfil the requirements of the Diploma. The IBO do not permit this. Usually, the second language is French SL, the second science is Chemistry (it moves from Group 4 - it doesn't run in two columns) and the second individual and humanities is History SL.

All IBDP pupils also take the three-part Core: Extended Essay, Theory of Knowledge and Creativity, Activity and Service.

All IBCP pupils take the four-part Core: Reflective Project, Personal and Professional Skills, Language Development and Service Learning. 

In addition to the subjects above, we are provisionally offering Philosophy, Psychology and Film Studies however these would be delivered as online courses with external tutors and would incur an additional cost of around £2000, payable by the pupil. There are benefits of course in terms of offering choice and some new subjects; however there are some obvious drawbacks too: not least the absence of a teacher physically in school. The provider is the online learning group Pamoja, who are affiliated with IBO. Further information can be found here: https://pamojaeducation.com/. 

For IBDP you would choose one from each of Group 1-6. There 

For IBCP you would choose up to three subjects from Groups 1, 3, 4, 6. The HNC Business Course runs at the same time at the Language B and Mathematics groups.

The actual column structure varies slightly from year to year depending on which language/science/i&h subject may fall in group 6.

Mathematics in the IB?

With the emergence of disciplines such as Data Science, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence the field of mathematics has become even more prominent. However, every career path requires maths differently. To make the subject more ‘student-friendly’ and to increase its practical relevance, International Baccalaureate Program has introduced IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches (AA) and IB Mathematics Applications and Interpretations ( AI).

AA Mathematics 

IB Math Analysis and Approaches (AA) is all about theoretical maths and analysing abstract maths theories. IB Maths AA covers topics like advance calculus and integration to train students in the discipline of pure mathematics. 

Pupils hone their understanding about topics such as Binomial Theorem, Partial Fractions, De Moivre’s Theorem, L'hospital rule, etc. 

AI Mathematics

Have you ever found yourself in a mathematics class, trying to understand complicated formulas, and questioning if you will ever use this in real life? Well, IB Maths Applications and Interpretations (AI) is your answer. The course has statistics and distribution as its foundation and covers the practical implementation of mathematical concepts. 

Choosing between the two Maths courses

If you’re starting with your IB Diploma Programme journey, selecting your DP Mathematics courses is a crucial step to building your career. It is this choice that will influence your eligibility for courses you might want to pursue, offered by the top universities worldwide. It thereby becomes very important for you to make a well-informed choice. Universities who, pre 2019, insisted on AA Maths are now changing their entry requirements and accepting AI which, for the vast majority of pupils, is a far more accessible, useful and sensible option. At Lomond, none of our second cohort of IB pupils chose AA Maths.

But before getting started on picking the right DP Mathematics course for your career, you might want to get a clearer view of what each course offers and what you will have to study once you choose it. Head over to IB's comprehensive article on the New DP Mathematics courses and then come back here with a much clearer understanding.

Top tips:

• If you’re unsure about your path after school, the safest bet is to go for a Mathematics course that interests you and which would help you achieve the greatest number of points

• If a career in STEM is your calling, choosing an HL course in either would be beneficial to you.

• If you’re interested in Pure Mathematics or Engineering then HL Mathematics: Approaches and Analysis would be the way to go. But if you’re looking forward to a career in pretty much anything else - even Medicine - AI Maths is better because it contains more statistics and real-life, contextualised Maths.

• If a career in Law, the Arts, Social Sciences, Psychology, Business, Design or Natural Sciences excites you, going with the Mathematics Applications and Interpretation course would be sensible.

The important thing, before making a decision, would be to speak with Mrs McKenzie or Mrs Chisholm about which Maths course is the best one for your individual pathway.