Over the course of the two-year programme, students:
- study six subjects chosen from the six subject groups
- complete an extended essay
- follow a theory of knowledge course (TOK)
- participate in creativity, action, service (CAS).
Normally:
- three of the six subjects are studied at higher level (courses representing 240 teaching hours)
- the remaining three subjects are studied at standard level (courses representing 150 teaching hours).
Subjects, other than languages, may be taught and examined in:
- English
- French
- Spanish
- There are pilot projects taking place in German and Chinese.
Diploma Programme curriculum
Group 1: language A1
It is a requirement of the programme that students study at least one subject from group 1.
Language A1 is the study of literature in a student’s first language, including the study of selections of world literature.
Forty five languages are regularly available at either higher level or standard level.
Other languages may be studied provided:
- there is sufficient written literature available
- a request is received by the IB well in advance of the examination period.
In studying their first language, students are able to develop:
- a personal appreciation of the literature
- skills in literary criticism
- strong written and oral skills
- respect for the literary heritage of their first language
- an international perspective.
The range of texts studied in language A1 courses is broad,
and students grow to appreciate a language’s complexity, wealth and
subtleties in a variety of contexts. A specific aim is to engender a
lifelong interest in literature and a love for the elegance and richness
of human expression. In 2011, for first examinations in 2013, two new
subjects will be offered in group 1; Language and literature, and
Literature and performance. The latter is a subject meeting the group 1
and 6 requirements.
Group 2: Second language
It is a requirement of the programme that students study at least one subject from group 2.
The aim is to promote an understanding of another culture
through the study of a second language. A large range of modern
languages are available as well as two classical languages (Latin and
Classical Greek).
The main emphasis of the modern language courses is on
language acquisition and use in a range of contexts and for different
purposes. Three options are available to accommodate students with
different backgrounds.
- Language ab initio
courses are for beginners (that is, students who have no previous
experience of learning the language they have chosen). These courses are
only available at standard level.
- Language B courses are intended for
students who have had some previous experience of learning the language.
They may be studied at either higher level or standard level.
- Language A2 courses are designed for
students who have a high level of competence in the language they have
chosen. They include the study of both language and literature, and are
available at higher level and standard level. Language A2 courses will
be phased out in 2011 with final examinations offered in 2012.
Read about group 3: individuals and societies
Diploma Programme curriculum
Group 3: Individuals and societies
Students are required to choose one subject from each of the
six academic areas, including one from group 3. They can choose a second
from groups 1 – 5 instead of a group 6 subject.
Eight subjects are available:
- business and management
- economics
- geography
- history
- information technology in a global society
- philosophy
- psychology
- social and cultural anthropology.
All of these subjects may be studied at higher level or standard level.
A new course—world religions—will become a mainstream SL only
course for first year teaching in September 2011, first examinations in
May 2013. Please note that no candidates may be anticipated candidates
during this period.
Studying any one of these subjects provides for the development of a critical appreciation of:
- human experience and behaviour
- the varieties of physical, economic and social environments that people inhabit
- the history of social and cultural institutions.
In addition, each subject is designed to foster in students
the capacity to identify, to analyse critically and to evaluate
theories, concepts and arguments relating to the nature and activities
of individuals and societies.
Diploma Programme curriculum
Group 4: Experimental sciences
It is a requirement of the programme that students study at least one subject from group 4.
Four subjects are available:
- biology
- chemistry
- design technology
- physics
- Environmental systems and societies - which meets the group 3 and group 4 requirements (see additional subjecst section).
All of these subjects may be studied at higher level or standard level.
Students explore the concepts, theories, models and techniques that
underpin each subject area and through these develop their understanding
of the scientific method.
A compulsory project encourages students to appreciate the
environmental, social and ethical implications of science. This exercise
is collaborative and interdisciplinary and provides an opportunity for
students to explore scientific solutions to global questions.
Sports, exercise and health science is a pilot subject at standard
level. It will become a mainstream group 4 subject in 2012 with first
examinations in 2014.
Read about group 5: mathematics and computer science
Diploma Programme curriculum
Group 5: Mathematics and computer science
It is a requirement of the programme that students study at least one course in mathematics; computer science is an elective.
Mathematics
Four courses in mathematics are available:
- mathematical studies standard level
- mathematics SL
- mathematics higher level
- further mathematics standard level which will become a higher level course in 2012 with first examinations in 2014.
These four courses
serve to accommodate the range of needs, interests and abilities of
students, and to fulfill the requirements of various university and
career aspirations.
The aims of these courses are to enable students to:
- develop mathematical knowledge, concepts and principles
- develop logical, critical and creative thinking
- employ and refine their powers of abstraction and generalization.
Students are also encouraged to
appreciate the international dimensions of mathematics and the
multiplicity of its cultural and historical perspectives.
Computer science
Computer science higher level or standard level, if chosen, must be studied in addition to a mathematics subject.
The aims of computer science are to develop an understanding of:
- the range and organization of computer systems
- the use of computers in a variety of disciplines, applications and contexts.
Read about group 6: the arts
Diploma Programme curriculum
Group 6: The arts
Students are required to choose one subject from each of the
six academic areas, including one from group 6 although instead of a
group 6 subject they can choose a second from groups 1 – 5.
Four subjects are available:
- film
- music
- theatre
- visual arts.
These subjects may be studied at higher level or standard level.
A new course—dance—will become a mainstream SL/HL course for
first year teaching in September 2011, first examinations in May 2013.
Please note that no candidates may be anticipated candidates during this
period.
The subjects in group 6 allow a high degree of adaptability to
different cultural contexts. The emphasis is on creativity in the
context of disciplined, practical research into the relevant genres.
In addition, each subject is designed to foster critical,
reflective and informed practice, help students understand the dynamic
and changing nature of the arts, explore the diversity of arts across
time, place and cultures and express themselves with confidence and
competence.
Diploma Programme curriculum
Additional subjects
With approval from the IB, schools may also offer the following types of courses.
School-based syllabuses
A school-based syllabus is designed by
the school according to its own needs and teaching resources. This
option may be studied at standard level only and may replace a subject
from groups 2 to 6.
Further information on school-based syllabuses can be obtained from the Handbook of procedures for the Diploma Programme or by contacting the IB Curriculum and assessment centre.
Transdisciplinary subjects
From September 2008 schools began
teaching (for first examinations in 2010) environmental systems and
societies as a standard level transdisciplinary course. This will enable
students to satisfy the requirements of two groups (group 3 and group
4) while studying one course. Students then select another course to
complete the requirement of six.
Text and performance is a
transdisciplinary pilot subject allowing students to combine literary
analysis with the investigation of the role of performance in our
understanding of dramatic literature.
Students have the opportunity to
undertake their own performance work which is assessed. Central to the
course is the idea of transformation where a literary text is
transformed to a performance piece. The close examination and analysis
of the details of the text this requires contributes to the academic
rigour of the course.
Currently a pilot subject it will become
mainstream in 2011 with first examinations in 2013 and will be renamed
Literature and performance.
