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!

IB Biology 11

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.

IB Biology 12

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.

Name: Dr. Matthew McCarthy
Position: IB Biology Teacher
Email: mmccarthy11@bostonpublicschools.org