1. Group 4 Sciences
Making the Choice

2. Which IB Science Should I take?
This comes down to two important questions…
What choices do I have?
How do I choose?

3. What choices do I have? IB Biology, Chemistry, and Physics
Key similarities: Internal & External assessments; Group IV Project
Differences: Content, the Math component
HL vs. SL (but not until December)

4. The Similarities…
External Assessments: 3 papers (total 3-5 hours), multiple choice, data-based, extended response, short answer
Internal Assessments: Student designed, executed, and analyzed investigations based on a very open prompt. 2 best attempts submitted to IB.
Group IV Project: Cross-curricular project between all group 4 subjects. Broad possible topics and a location to focus projects (10 hours). Counts for “personal skills” on IA.

5. What about SL vs. HL? Much is the same: Main differences:
Most topics, Internal assessments, Group IV Project
Main differences:
HL: More depth on many SL topics, a few additional topics
HL: External Assessments have more questions, more time
You don’t have to chose yet!
All science classes taught primarily at the HL level
Try out all your classes for a few months, then decide your HL/SL selections December next year

6. Content…Biology Statistical Analysis Cells
Chemistry of Life (Biochemistry)
Genetics
Ecology & Evolution
Human Health & Physiology
Additional HL:
Nucleic Acids & Proteins; Cell respiration & Photosynthesis; Plant Science; Genetics; Human Health & Physiology
Options (2):  Evolution; Ecology & Conservation

7. Content…Chemistry Quantitative Chemistry Atomic Structure Periodicity
Bonding
Energetics
Kinetics
Equilibrium
Acids & Bases
Oxidation & Reduction
Organic Chemistry
Measurement & Data Processing
Options (2):  Human Biochem.; Environmental Chem.

8. Content…Physics Core Physical Measurements Mechanics Thermal physics
Oscillations and Waves
Electric Currents
Fields and Forces
Atomic and Nuclear Physics
Energy, Power, and Climate Change
SL Options (choose 2)
Sight & Wave Phenomena
Quantum & Nuclear Physics
Digital Technology
Communications
AHL
Motion in Fields
More Thermal
More Waves
EM Induction
Quantum & Nuclear Physics
Digital Technolgoy
HL Options
Communications
Medical Physics

9. Physics > Chemistry > Biology
Consider the Math…
How much math is involved varies:
Physics > Chemistry > Biology
Physics: HL or SL Math recommended
Chemistry & Biology: Any Math (Studies, SL, HL)

10. What do I want to do when I grow up?
So How Do I Choose?
Ask yourself two questions:
What do I like?
What do I want to do when I grow up?

11. When I Grow Up… Politics Biology Environmental Fields Chemistry
Medicine/Health Fields
Environmental Fields
Chemistry
Engineering/Architecture
Physics
I don’t know yet???