Have you searched for a comprehensive yet simplified guide to IB Sciences online but came out empty? We’re here to help.
We you everything there is to know about sciences in the IB program, from what it is and what examiners look for to developing research questions and topic ideas. We’ve also linked to content related to the subject, and these are useful for further reading.
In short, if you need a complete guide to IB science simplified and put together in one post, then you’ve come to the right place.
Key Takeaways
- IB Sciences encompass three subjects, which are Biology, Physics, and Chemistry.
- Every subject requires you to conduct independent research an experiment.
- Note that each subject accounts for 20% of the final grades, so you must give your subject of choice the attention it deserves if you must score top marks.
IB Sciences Subjects Explained
Biology, Physics, and Chemistry are the three subjects in the category of IB Sciences. Let’s look at each in more details:
1. Biology
IB Biology focuses on a diverse array of biological concepts and theories. Its primary objective is to cultivate students’ critical thinking, analytical skills, and their capacity to understand and apply scientific principles within the framework of the natural world.
The IB Biology curriculum has eight fundamental subjects:
- Cells
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
- Ecology
- Evolution
- Human Physiology
- Biotechnology
- Biochemistry
Alongside these core topics, students are obliged to engage in a variety of practical activities and investigations designed to enhance their proficiency in experimental design, data analysis, and scientific communication.
The course then concludes with an externally evaluated examination whose purpose is to assess students’ knowledge, comprehension, and expertise across all facets of the curriculum.
Related: IB Biology IA Topics
2. Chemistry
The IB Chemistry is an investigative subject that aims to examine the chemistry underlying everyday phenomena.
Its purpose is to evaluate your understanding of Chemistry at the level attained in your coursework by applying practical skills you have acquired.
Chemistry in the IB program demands a high level of independent skills, research work, and personal effort. This assignment can feel overwhelming, especially when combined with other challenging tasks in different subjects, and partly due to the substantial element of guesswork involved.
The IA assignment serves to foster independent thinking and the creative application of concepts learned to real-world events. If you can accomplish this effectively, you will achieve high marks in the assignment.
Related: IB Chemistry IA: The Complete Guide
3. Physics
IB Physics plays a fundamental role in deepening students’ comprehension of the natural world. This course aims to enhance students’ understanding by exploring concepts, methods, and tools in Physics.
Scientific inquiry is emphasized in both the classroom and the laboratory, fostering connections with other DP science subjects.
The primary objectives of this course encompass several aspects. Firstly, it aims to develop students’ conceptual understanding, analytical skills, creativity, resilience, problem-solving abilities, and technology skills within a scientific framework.
Additionally, students will acquire effective communication and collaboration skills, while gaining awareness of the ethical, environmental, economic, cultural, and social impacts of science.
Through the IB Physics course, students will be equipped with the necessary knowledge to actively engage with scientific issues and effectively apply their learnings across various disciplines.
Related: IB Physics IA: The Complete Guide
Pro Tips to Excel in IB Sciences
Biology, Chemistry, and Physics in IB are technical subjects at best. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t perform well in them.
Here are some pro tips to help you succeed in the IB Sciences:
1. Simplify Your Ideas
In order to increase your chances of success, it is advisable to select a relatively simple idea. Choose something that you are confident will yield results.
Our recommendation is to begin by compiling a list of all the experiments you have already conducted in class. This will give you a sense of what constitutes a good experiment. Once you have the list, choose the experiment that captivates you the most and add a unique twist to it.
Think creatively and explore unconventional approaches.
Your aim should be to generate an original and even slightly eccentric idea, while keeping it simple and within the scope of the assignment.
The most effective science IAs often builds upon a well-established experiment. However, be cautious not to simply replicate an existing experiment. Instead, adapt it, personalize it, and approach it from a fresh perspective.
2. Focus on Personal Engagement
One of the assessment criteria to consider is “Personal Engagement.”
Your evaluation will depend on how your chosen topic connects with you and your interests. Initially, this criterion may appear perplexing. However, it essentially examines how your personal experiences have influenced the design of your experiment.
To achieve a high score in this area, it is crucial to ensure that you genuinely find your project interesting.
For example:
Instead of investigating something like the rate of breakdown of hydrogen peroxide, which may have little relevance or significance in your daily life, consider measuring the caffeine content of your favorite type of coffee compared to others.
Your rationale for selecting such a topic could be as simple as being a coffee enthusiast and always wondering which type provides the strongest kick in the morning.
Therefore, while reviewing our suggested topics, try to contemplate whether there is a specific subject that holds unique significance to you and your life.
3. Have a Clear Research Question
Once you have selected a topic for your experiment, formulate a clear and focused research question.
In our experience, the research question holds the utmost importance in the entire assessment.It should be succinct and informative, and strike the right balance between being too broad and too narrow.
It should be evident to whoever is evaluating your science IA what you are investigating. To test this, consider sharing your research question with a friend and see if they can quickly grasp the essence of your experiment.
Fresh perspectives are valuable in these situations since what may seem obvious to you could be ambiguous when taken out of context to someone else.