By Qingyang Zhang, Y13
The deadline for year 11s to choose their IB subjects is fast approaching. In order to help you choose the right science, I asked some year 13s for their experience with IB sciences. Many thanks to Year 13s who contributed to this article, including Anna Tian, Rishi Sharma, Talya de Cleene, and Jacob Mansfield.
Before discussing each science, there are two rules of thumb that apply to all subjects. First, choose subjects you are good at. Second, choose subjects you enjoy. With that in mind, let us break down the IB sciences.
Biology
Biology is a content-heavy subject with lots of memorization required. The markscheme is strict, requiring you to answer questions with precise terminology. Data-based questions require analytical thinking and evaluation beyond simple memorization, however. The sheer quantity of content means that you need to be ready for fast-paced learning in and outside of class. However, the syllabus is split into manageable units, so you don’t need to be overly intimidated.
There is very little maths in biology, so it is the subject to choose if you are not keen on maths. Moreover, the biology syllabus covers topics overlapping other subjects. For example, global warming and climate is also covered in geography. Biochemistry and the polar property of water play a key role in units like respiration and plant transport, and are also covered in chemistry. Ethical issues regarding topics such as stem cells and genetic engineering are raised, linking biology to philosophy and its real-life applications.
Physics
Physics is all about problem-solving, relying less on memorisation. A lot of questions involve applying the correct formula from the formula booklet. Although you might want to memorise extra handy facts and equations, most of them can actually be derived from formulae in the formula booklet. The more you can problem-solve, the less memorisation you need.
This does mean that you need to be comfortable with maths, especially with proportionality relationships and manipulating algebraic equations. However, do not feel that you have to take maths HL as the syllabus contains no advanced maths or calculus. Nonetheless, knowing calculus can help you understand the derivation of certain formulae at a deeper level. For example, the derivation of the centripetal force equation involves basic notions of calculus, and knowing how to take derivatives aids your understanding of simple harmonic motion.
Chemistry
Chemistry is the middle ground between biology and physics. You need to memorise reaction mechanisms (detailed steps of a reaction) and names of catalysts. There are calculations involving formulae from the formula booklet, so you need to be comfortable manipulating formulae and using a calculator. However, the most complex mathematics you will encounter is logarithms, so you can take chemistry regardless of the level of maths you are in.
Sports Science
Sports science uses concepts from biology, chemistry and physics and applies them to physical activities and human health. It is a content-heavy subject relying on memorisation, and you need to write regular lab reports. However, you don’t have to do a sport seriously in order to find sports science interesting. The experiments are active and exciting, and writing lab reports improves your communication and data analysis skills.
Be aware that you can also choose Environmental Systems and Societies as a science OR a humanities subject.
Deciding between taking sciences at the standard or higher level is also important, so I’ve decided to highlight the differences between SL and HL for each science.
Physics & Chemistry
The differences between SL and HL for physics and chemistry are similar; HL units are generally extensions of SL units. For example, in SL physics, the basics of electric fields are taught, but HL physics dives deeper into more conceptually challenging electromagnetic effects such as Lenz’s law, which also involves more quantitative calculations. In SL chemistry, the kinetics topic excludes many mathematical calculations found in the HL syllabus. In organic chemistry, HL students are also required to know reaction mechanisms (the detailed steps of a reaction), while SL students only need to know the overall reactions.
Biology
Similarly to physics and chemistry, the HL components of biology are conceptual extensions of SL material, requiring students to have more detailed and in-depth knowledge for the same units. As a result of the additional content, HL classes go through units very quickly with more intense homework, while SL classes learn at a more relaxed pace.
Sports Science
In addition to the 7 topics and 2 options topics in the core syllabus, HL sport science students take 7 extra topics. There are also more frequent lab reports. However, HL students also get the chance to use machinery at nearby universities.
Hopefully, this article has given you additional advice in order to make a more informed choice, and have a more enjoyable IB experience.
