DP+Biology

=Biology HL and SL Introduction=

The study of life is a very interesting and stimulating one at IB level. Whether you are studying at HL or SL the same skills and background to the subject are needed. To start you off I’m linking a set of resources that will be useful not just now, but throughout your course.


 * At a loose end over the summer?**

Enjoy your summer holiday, but if you do find time and want to prepare for the IB DP then there are things can can be doing:
 * Look at the text and resources - collect the books, bookmark the websites and familiarise yourself
 * The first topic we will be looking at is cells. This BBC Documentary [|The Cell] (you will need access to Youtube) is an excellent introduction, watch and enjoy.
 * [|Great Ideas in Biology] is a Royal Society lecture by Paul Nurse. It's a great talk, but be prepared it's 60 mins long. The theory development and peculiarities of the scientists he talks about is interesting from a TOK point of view.
 * First lesson tasks - get them out the way before you come back to school
 * Read through the advice (which is much more in depth) on Internal assessments

I suggest the following texts to supporting learning during the IB Biology Course:
 * Texts and Resources**
 * [] is a fantastic website and we will be using it regularly
 * [] is a great website for learning content and revision
 * The [|Biology Course Companion] (aka the orange book) is an indispensible resource the Biocoursecompanion wikispace should be bookmarked too - it provides the answers so you can check your learning
 * (HL) Biology, Campbell and Reece – get yourself a copy, it’s more than an IB text and you’ll find it very useful at University too
 * (SL) Advanced Biology, Jones and Jones – a good alternative to the standard texts we use at Dulwich
 * IB Study Guides Biology Standard And Higher Level, Allot – this is a very good revision text, but it is not a textbook replacement
 * (HL definitely, SL recommended) Follow science magazine either online, RSS or via subscription I recommend [|Scientific American] the library also stocks Biological Sciences Review (this is an excellent journal aimed at 16-18 year olds studying Biology).


 * A bit of fun (discussion starters)**
 * The Terrifying Truth About Bananas
 * Why Do Cats Purr?

>
 * First lesson tasks**
 * 1) Access the online [|IB DP Biology guide] produced by [|IBO]
 * 2) Create a folder structure on your laptop to mirror the structure of the topics and sub-topics you will study (use the guide to help you identify list of topics and sub-topics):
 * 1) Your three key websites for resources (other than Bioknowledgy) are the DCS bridge, i-Biology and Click4Biology make sure you can access them and create bookmarks for each.
 * 2) Download either the excel spreadsheet or the word doc version of the assessment statements. This will be your guide for learning during the course and later on for revision. It tells you exactly what you need to learn.
 * 3) Correct use of correct terminology is key. Under Revision resources you can find syllabus definitions. This is not a complete list of the key terms that you need to be able to understand and use, but it does cover the definitions explicitly specified in the subject guide.
 * 4) Understanding [|command terms] are critical communication skills (you can also find flash cards for command terms under Revision resources). If you cannot understand what a question is asking of you cannot answer it. Review this excellent presentation and take notes.
 * 5) Your IA portfolio, which consists of your best lab reports (along with manipulative skills and personal skills assessed by the group 4 project) should be an area of strength. There is lots of helpful advice in the Internal Assessment pages. Always consult the template and the marking rubric, both can be found under 'writing up lab reports'.
 * 6) Graph Analysis, the skill to look at information, interpret and use it. Is an important for all scientists, basic terms to use when talking about graphs are illustrated [|here].
 * 7) **Extension (this is an expectation for HL students) -** Develop resources to read around the subject, every week, using Biological Sciences Review, Bioknowledgy News, Scientific American or a similar resource(s)


 * Prep for next lesson -** collect a copy of the (orange) IB Biology Course Companion and the (green) Allott revision guide