The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) is a rigorous pre-university course of study designed for students in the 16 to 19 age range. It is a broad-based two-year course that aims to encourage students to be knowledgeable and inquiring, but also caring and compassionate. There is a strong emphasis on encouraging students to develop intercultural understanding, open-mindedness, and the attitudes necessary for them to respect and evaluate a range of points of view.

The course is presented as six academic areas enclosing a central core. Students study two modern languages (or a modern language and a classical language), a humanities or social science subject, an experimental science, mathematics, and one of the creative arts. Instead of an arts subject, students can choose two subjects from another area. It is this comprehensive range of subjects that makes the Diploma Programme a demanding course of study designed to prepare students effectively for university entrance. In each of the academic areas, students have flexibility in making their choices, which means they can choose subjects that particularly interest them and that they may wish to study further at university.

Normally, three subjects (and not more than four) are taken at a higher level (HL), and the others are taken at the standard level (SL). The IB recommends 240 teaching hours for HL subjects and 150 hours for SL. Subjects at HL are studied in greater depth and breadth than at SL.

In addition, three core elements—the eExtended Essay (EE), Theory Of Knowledge (TOK), and Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) —are compulsory and central to the philosophy of the program, which aims to broaden students’ educational experience and challenge them to apply their knowledge and skills.

 

 

IB DP CORE

Extended Essay (EE) requires students to engage in independent research through an in-depth study of a question relating to one of the DP subjects they are studying. The world studies EE option allows students to focus on a topic of global significance, which they examine through the lens of at least two DP subjects.

Theory Of Knowledge (TOK) develops a coherent approach to learning that unifies the academic disciplines. In this course on critical thinking, students inquire into the nature of knowing and deepen their understanding of knowledge as a human construction.

Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS) emphasize helping students to develop their own identities in accordance with the ethical principles embodied in the IB mission statement and the IB learner profile. CAS complements a challenging academic program in a holistic way, providing opportunities for self-determination, collaboration, accomplishment, and enjoyment. It involves students in a range of activities alongside their academic studies throughout the DP. The three strands of CAS are creativity (exploring and extending ideas leading to an original or interpretive product or performance), activity (physical exertion contributing to a healthy lifestyle), and service (collaborative and reciprocal engagement with the community in response to an authentic need).

 

IB DP COURSES

English Language and Literature HL

The English Language and Literature course aims at studying the complex and dynamic nature of language and exploring both its practical and aesthetic dimensions. The course will explore the crucial role language plays in communication, reflecting experience and shaping the world, and the roles of individuals themselves as producers of language. Throughout the course, students will explore the various ways in which language choices, text types, literary forms, and contextual elements all affect meaning. Through close analysis of various text types and literary forms, students will consider their own interpretations, as well as the critical perspectives of others, to explore how such positions are shaped by cultural belief systems and to negotiate meanings for texts.

French Ab Initio SL

The French Language and Literature course is a language acquisition course for students with no prior experience of the French language, or for students with very limited previous experience. Students develop the ability to communicate through the study of language, themes, and texts.  In doing so, they also develop conceptual understandings of how the French language works.  Communication is evidenced through receptive, productive, and interactive skills across a range of contexts and purposes that are appropriate to the level of the course. The syllabus is organized into five prescribed themes: Identities, Experiences, Human Ingenuity, Social Organization, and Sharing the Planet, and prescribes four topics for each of the themes.

Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches SL

The course recognizes the need for analytical expertise in a world where innovation is increasingly dependent on a deep understanding of mathematics. The focus is on developing important mathematical concepts in a comprehensible, coherent, and rigorous way, achieved by a carefully balanced approach. Students are encouraged to apply their mathematical knowledge to solve abstract problems as well as those set in a variety of meaningful contexts. The course has a strong emphasis on the ability to construct, communicate and justify correct mathematical arguments. Students should expect to develop insight into mathematical form and structure and should be intellectually equipped to appreciate the links between concepts in different topic areas. Students are also encouraged to develop the skills needed to continue their mathematical growth in other learning environments. The internally assessed exploration allows students to develop independence in mathematical learning. Throughout the course, students are encouraged to take a considered approach to various mathematical activities and explore different mathematical ideas.

Digital Society HL

Digital society is an interdisciplinary course within the individual and society’s subject group. The course is designed for young people interested in exploring the impact and importance of digital systems and technologies in the contemporary world. Digital society is intended to appeal to a broad range of teachers in social studies, media, humanities, IT, and related subject areas.

The course integrates concepts, content, and contexts through inquiry:

• Concepts such as expression, space, and identity highlight powerful, pervasive, and debatable perspectives that provide insight for inquiry;
• Content informs inquiry with details about digital systems including areas related to data, algorithms, media, AI, robotics, and more;
• Contexts situate inquiry into areas significant to life in digital society including social, cultural, and environmental contexts.

The course aims to support standard level (SL) and higher level (HL) students on their inquiry journey as they:

• Focus inquiry using course concepts, content, and contexts as well as real-world examples;
• Explore diverse sources relevant to digital society;
• Investigate the impacts and implications of digital systems for people and communities;
• Reflect on emerging trends, future developments, and further insights;
• Share discoveries about digital society with others.

Business Management HL

The course is designed to meet the current and future needs of students who want to develop their knowledge of business content, concepts, and tools to assist with business decision-making. Future employees, business leaders, entrepreneurs, or social entrepreneurs need to be confident, creative, and compassionate as change agents for business in an increasingly interconnected global marketplace. The business management course is designed to encourage the development of these attributes. Through the exploration of four interdisciplinary concepts: Creativity, Change, Ethics, and Sustainability, this course empowers students to explore these concepts from a business perspective. Business management focuses on business functions, management processes, and decision-making in contemporary contexts of strategic uncertainty. Students examine how business decisions are influenced by factors that are internal and external to an organization and how these decisions impact a range of internal and external stakeholders. This course prepares students to be global citizens ready to face up to the challenges and opportunities awaiting them in our ever-changing world.

Biology SL

Through studying a science subject students are expected to become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. While the scientific method may take on a wide variety of forms, the emphasis is on a practical approach. In addition, through the overarching theme of the “Nature of Science,” this knowledge and skills will be put into the context of the way science and scientists work in the 21st Century and the ethical debates and limitations of creative scientific endeavor. Sciences are taught practically. Students have opportunities to design investigations, collect data, develop manipulative skills, analyze results, collaborate with peers, and evaluate and communicate their findings. The investigations may be laboratory based or they may make use of simulations and databases. Students develop the skills to work independently on their own design, but also collegiately, including collaboration with schools in different regions, to mirror the way in which scientific research is conducted in the wider community.