Curriculum Handbook 2012-2013 Grades 11-12 - International ...

LEARNING DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
A full-time learning specialist is available to assist students who have diagnosed, mild
learning disabilities. Students with severe behavioural, emotional or learning disabilities
are not accepted because there is no self-contained programme available to meet their
needs.
Admission to Learning Support will be according to the referral process to be found in the
Senior School Student-Parent Handbook.
An individualized education plan (IEP) is developed for each student receiving learning
support by withdrawal from some classes. The IEP contains learning goals, broken down
into learning outcomes, and states the achievement criteria which will be used in assessing
these outcomes.
It is possible for a student diagnosed with a recognized learning disability e.g. dyslexia,
ADHD, etc. to receive exam concessions, such as additional time or a reader, with
appropriate supporting documentation.
The teaching, learning process at ISD is seen as a partnership between school, students
and parents. Parents will be expected to comply with the school’s request for any and all
additional testing required. Failure to comply will place the student’s admission or continued
enrolment at risk.
Biology, chemistry and physics are offered at both the standard level (SL) and higher
level (HL). A common curriculum model applies to all three subjects. Students at
both SL and HL study a core syllabus supplemented by the study of two options.
Students at HL also study additional higher level (AHL) topics. The external
assessment of the courses consists of three written papers and accounts for 76% of
the final IB grade. All three courses involve substantial amounts of
practical/investigative work; a minimum of 40 hours at the SL and 60 hours at the
HL, including a 10 hour collaborative project carried where students work together
across the disciplines. The internal assessment of practical work accounts for 24% of
the final IB grade. Practical skills are transferable across all three subjects and the
study of two science subjects is encouraged where appropriate and supported by the
department.
IB DP Biology HL/SL
Recommendation for HL: Grade 10 Biology/Chemistry
Standard level topics: statistical analysis, cells, the chemistry of life, genetics,
ecology and evolution, human health and physiology.
Additional higher level topics: nucleic acids and proteins, cell respiration and
photosynthesis, plant science, genetics, human health and physiology. Optional
topics: (SL only) human nutrition and health, physiology of exercise, cells and
energy; (SL or HL) evolution, neurobiology and behaviour, microbes and
biotechnology, ecology and conservation; (HL only) further human physiology.
IB DP Chemistry HL/SL
Recommendation for HL: Either Grade 10 Biology/Chemistry or Grade 10
Chemistry/Physics
Standard level topics: quantitative chemistry, atomic structure, periodicity, bonding,
energetics, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, oxidation and reduction, organic
chemistry, measurement and data processing.
Additional higher level topics: atomic structure, periodicity, bonding, energetics,
kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, oxidation and reduction, organic chemistry
Optional topics: (SL or HL) modern analytical chemistry, human biochemistry,
chemistry in industry and technology, medicines and drugs, environmental
chemistry, food chemistry, further organic chemistry.
IB DP Physics HL/SL
Recommendation for HL: Grade 10 Chemistry/Physics.
Standard level topics: physics and physical measurement, mechanics, thermal
physics, oscillations and waves, electric currents, fields and forces, atomic and
nuclear physics, energy power and climate change.
Additional higher level topics: motion in fields, wave phenomena, electromagnetic
induction, quantum physics and nuclear physics, digital technology.
Optional topics: (SL only) sight and wave phenomena, quantum physics and nuclear
physics, digital technology, relativity and particle physics; (SL or HL) astrophysics,
communications, electromagnetic waves; (HL only) relativity, medical physics,
particle physics.
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