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Dr. Matthew McCarthy » IB Biology

IB Biology

Welcome to IB Biology!
My name is Dr. McCarthy and I am the IB Biology teacher here at Snowden International. IB Biology is a two year course for juniors and seniors. The course follows all the guidelines from the IB DP program. I teach both years 1 and 2 and I look forward to working with you!
Year 1 on IB Biology focuses on cellular and molecular biology. This year we review the following units and concepts:

Unit 

Topics Covered 

0 - Statistical Analysis and and Lab Skills 


September

This unit reviews all the major graphing and statistical analysis skills required for this course. 

  • Topic 0.1 - Descriptive Statistics  (mean, median, mode and range) 
  • Topic 0.2 - Graphing  (bar, line, scatter plot, pie, histogram and box and whisker)
  • Topic 0.3 - Standard Deviation  
  • Topic 0.4 - Error Analysis and Standard Error of the Mean 
  • Topic 0.5 - Writing Null and Alternative Hypotheses 
  • Topic 0.6 - Chi Square Analysis

1 - Chemistry of Life


October 
  • Topic A1.1 - Water 
  • Topic A1.2 - Nucleic Acids 
  • Topic B1.1 - Carbohydrates
  • Topic B1.2 - Proteins 

2 - Cell Biology 



November - January 
  • Topic A2.2 - Cell Structure 
  • Topic A2.1 - Origin of Cells
  • Topic A2.3 - Viruses 
  • Topic B2.1 - Membranes and Membrane Transport
  • Topic B2.2 - Organelles and Compartmentalization 
  • Topic B2.3 - Cell Specialization  
  • Topic D2.3 - Water Potential 

3 - Cellular Energetics


February   
  • Topic C1.1 - Enzymes and Metabolism 
  • Topic C1.2 - Cellular Respiration 
  • Topic C1.3 - Photosynthesis 

4 - Cell Communication and Cell Cycle 

March 
  • Topic C2.1 - Chemical Signaling 
  • Topic C2.2 - Neuron Signaling 
  • Topic D2.1 - Cell and Nuclear Division 

5 - Heredity 


March - April   
  • Topic D3.1 - Reproduction 
  • Topic D3.2 - Inheritance 
  • Topic D3.3 - Homeostasis 

6 - Molecular Genetics 


May 
  • Topic D1.1 - DNA Replication 
  • Topic D1.2 - Protein Synthesis 
  • Topic D1.3 - Mutations and Gene Editing 
  • Topic D2.2 - Gene Expression

Collaborative Science Project


May/June

The collaborative sciences project is an interdisciplinary sciences project, providing a worthwhile challenge to DP students, addressing real-world problems that can be explored through the sciences. The nature of the challenge should allow students to integrate factual, procedural and conceptual knowledge developed through the study of their disciplines. Through the identification and research of complex issues, students can develop an understanding of how interrelated systems, mechanisms and processes impact a problem. Students will then apply their collective understanding to develop solution-focused strategies that address the issue. With a critical lens they will evaluate and reflect on the inherent complexity of solving real-world problems. Students will develop an understanding of the extent of global interconnectedness between regional, national, and local communities, which will empower them to become active and engaged citizens of the world. While addressing local and global issues, students will appreciate that the issues of today exist across national boundaries and can only be solved through collective action and international cooperation. The collaborative sciences project supports the development of students’ ATL skills, including team building, negotiation and leadership. It facilitates an appreciation of the environment, and the social and ethical implications of science and technology.

Scientific Investigation 


June (if time) 

Towards the end of the school year, students will begin to explore potential topics for their scientific investigation. The goal is for students to have finalized a topic and begin doing background research on it. When students return to school in September they will pick up where they left off to complete the Scientific Investigation. 
Year 2 of IB Biology has a focus on organismal and evolutionary biology. This year has a major focus on completion of the Scientific Investigation and final units of the IB Biology curriculum. A significant amount of time is spent reviewing for the IB Biology external assessments. 
 

Unit 

Topics Covered 

Scientific Investigation 


September - December  (ongoing)

Students will revisit their Scientific Investigation topics they choose in the previous school year. Students will continue their experiments, simulations or database analysis. Students will be expected to write a 3000 word final paper that encompasses their topics. Students will be allowed one day a week to work on IAs during the months of September through November. Final IAs are due by the end of Term 2.

7 - Evolution and Biodiversity


September - October 
  • A3.1 - Diversity of Organisms 
  • A3.2 - Classification and Cladistics 
  • A4.1 - Evolution and Speciation 
  • D4.1 - Natural Selection 
  • D4.2 - Stability and Change 

8 - Ecology 


November - January   
  • C4.1 - Populations and Communities 
  • C4.2 - Transfers of Energy and Matter 
  • B4.1 - Adaptation to Environment 
  • B4.2 - Ecological Niches 
  • A4.2 - Conservation of Biodiversity 
  • D4.3 - Climate Change 

9 - Human and Plant Physiology 


February - March  
  • B3.1 - Gas Exchange 
  • B3.2 - Transport
  • C3.1 - Integration of Body Systems 
  • C3.2 - Defense Against Disease 

10 - IB Biology Review 


April - May 

Comprehensive Review of all IB Biology topics in preparation for the exam in May. 

  • Unit 1: Chemistry of Life 
  • Unit 2: Cell Structure and Function 
  • Unit 3: Cellular Energetics 
  • Unit 4: Cell Signaling and Cell Cycle 
  • Unit 5: Heredity 
  • Unit 6: Molecular Genetics 
  • Unit 7: Evolution 
  • Unit 8: Ecology 
  • Unit 9: Human Physiology 

11- IB Biology Final Project


May - June 

Upon completion of the IB exams, students will spend the last few weeks of school working on a final project.