IB DP BIOLOGY SL vs HL
First Exam for this Syllabus: May 2025
Syllabus Overview
All the FOUR THEMES will be taught at FOUR LEVELS OF ORGANIZATION MOLECULES, CELLS, ORGANISMS and ECOSYSTEMS
| SL BIOLOGY | HL BIOLOGY | |
| Theme A: Unity and Diversity Water, Nucleic Acids, Cell Structure, Biodiversity, Evolution and Conservation | Theme A: Unity and Diversity Water and Exobiology, Origins of Cells, Viruses, Classification and Cladistics | |
| Theme B: Form and Function Carbohydrates and Lipids, Proteins, Membranes and Membrane Transport, Cell Organelles and Specialization, Gas Exchange, Transport, Adaptation and Ecological Niches | Theme B: Form and Function Protein Structure, Transport Examples, Organelle Structure, Cell Adaptations, Hemoglobin, Muscle and Motility | |
| Theme C: Interaction and Interdependence Enzymes and Metabolism, Cell Respiration, Photosynthesis, Neural Signaling, Integration of Body Systems, Defense Against Disease, Populations and Communities, Energy and Matter | Theme C: Interaction and Interdependence Enzyme Inhibition, Electron Carriers, Chemical Signaling, Botany | |
| Theme D: Continuity and Change DNA Replication, Protein Synthesis, Mutation and Gene Editing, Cell and Nuclear Division, Water Potential, Reproduction, Inheritance, Homeostasis, Natural Selection, Ecological Stability and Change, Climate Change | Theme D: Continuity and Change Enzymes for Replication, CRISPR, Cancer, Gene Expression, Gametogenesis, Osmoregulation, Artificial Selection, Ecological Succession |
| SL BIOLOGY | HL BIOLOGY |
| Paper 1 Total Time – 1.5 hours; Total Raw Mark – 55; Component Weighting – 36% 30 Multiple Choice questions and 4 Data-Based Questions | Paper 1 Total Time – 2 hours; Total Raw Mark – 75; Component Weighting – 36% 40 Multiple Choice questions and 4 Data-Based Questions | ||
| Paper 2 Total Time – 1.5 hours; Total Raw Mark – 50; Component Weighting – 44% Short Answer and Extended Response Questions | Paper 2 Total Time – 2.5 hours; Total Raw Mark – 80; Component Weighting – 44% Data Based Questions and Short Answer and Extended Response Questions | ||
| Reflection Only: Collaborative Sciences Project | Reflection Only: Collaborative Sciences Project | ||