The IB DP Biology SL & HL Syllabus Download

IB Biology is no different today compared to what it used to be earlier. IB Biology SL or HL topic, I was always afraid about this at first, but trust me that you can score well in Biology SL or HL topics if you have made a plan for yourself.

I have students with terrible scores and the same students with great scores later. It's your methodology that will make a difference which will reflect in your grades.

IB Biology SL & HL Topic-wise Table:

Here is the table of IB DP Biology HL & SL Syllabus topics along with the minimum number of hours required to complete each Topic / Unit.

IBDP Biology Standard Level Syllabus 

SL (Standard Level) consists of 6 Topics in 150 hours.

IB DP Biology Higher Level Syllabus 

HL (Higher Level) consists of 6 + 5 = 11 Topics in 240 hours. (HL includes SL syllabus Topic and 5 more additional topics)

Optional IB Biology Topics 

Either you or your teacher will choose 2/3 topics to teach you in both HL & SL levels.

IB Biology SL and HL Topics

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Topic 1: Cell Biology (15 Hours)

• Introduction to cells

• Ultrastructure of cells

• Membrane structure

• Membrane transport

• The origin of cells

• Cell division

Topic 2: Molecular Biology (21 Hours)

• Molecules to metabolism

• Water

• Carbohydrates and lipids

• Proteins

• Enzymes

• Structure of DNA and RNA

• DNA replication, transcription and translation

• Cell respiration

• Photosynthesis

Topic 3: Genetics (15 Hours)

• Genes

• Chromosomes

• Meiosis

• Inheritance

• Genetic modification and biotechnology

Topic 4: Ecology (12 Hours)

• Species, communities and ecosystems

• Energy flow

• Carbon cycling

• Climate change

Topic 5: Evolution and Biodiversity (12 Hours)

• Evidence for evolution

• Natural selection

• Classification of biodiversity

• Cladistics

Topic 6: Human Physiology (20 Hours)

• Digestion and absorption

• The blood system

• Defence against infectious disease

• Gas exchange

• Neurons and synapses

• Hormones, homeostasis and reproduction

IB Biology HL Topics

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Topic 1: Cell Biology (15 Hours)

• Introduction to cells

• Ultrastructure of cells

• Membrane structure

• Membrane transport

• The origin of cells

• Cell division

Topic 2: Molecular Biology (21 Hours)

• Molecules to metabolism

• Water

• Carbohydrates and lipids

• Proteins

• Enzymes

• Structure of DNA and RNA

• DNA replication, transcription and translation

• Cell respiration

• Photosynthesis

Topic 3: Genetics (15 Hours)

• Genes

• Chromosomes

• Meiosis

• Inheritance

• Genetic modification and biotechnology

Topic 4: Ecology (12 Hours)

• Species, communities and ecosystems

• Energy flow

• Carbon cycling

• Climate change

Topic 5: Evolution and Biodiversity (12 Hours)

• Evidence for evolution

• Natural selection

• Classification of biodiversity

• Cladistics

Topic 6: Human Physiology (20 Hours)

• Digestion and absorption

• The blood system

• Defense against infectious disease

• Gas exchange

• Neurons and synapses

• Hormones, homeostasis and reproduction

Additional Higher Level Topics

Topic 7: Nucleic Acids (09 Hours)

• DNA structure and replication 

• Transcription and gene expression

• Translation

Topic 8: Metabolism, Cell Respiration, and Photosynthesis (14 Hours)

• Metabolism 

• Cell respiration

• Photosynthesis

Topic 9: Plant Biology (13 Hours)

• Transport in the xylem of plants 

• Transport in the phloem of plants 

• Growth in plants 

• Reproduction in plants

Topic 10: Genetics and Evolution (08 Hours)

• Meiosis 

• Inheritance 

• Gene pools and speciation 

Topic 11: Animal Physiology (16 Hours)

• Antibody production and vaccination

• Movement 

• The kidney and osmoregulation 

• Sexual reproduction

Optional IB Biology Topics

Option 1: Neurobiology and Behaviour (15 Hours)

• Neural development

• The human brain

• Perception of stimuli

Option 2: Biotechnology and Bioinformatics (15 Hours)

• Microbiology: organisms in industry

• Biotechnology in agriculture

• Environmental protection

Option 3: Ecology and Conservation (15 Hours)

• Species and communities

• Communities and ecosystems

• Impacts of humans on ecosystems

• Conservation of biodiversity

Option 4: Human Physiology (15 Hours)

• Human nutrition

• Digestion

• Functions of the liver

• The heart