The Group 4: Sciences subjects of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme comprise the main scientific emphasis of this internationally recognized high school programme. They consistent of seven courses, offered at both the Standard Level (SL) and Higher Level (HL): Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Design Technology, Environmental Systems and Societies (an interdisciplinary course that also meets the Group 3: Humanities requirement), and Sports, Exercise and Health Science (SEHS). Astronomy, marine biology, and region-specific courses also exist as a school-based syllabus. Students taking two or more Group 4 subjects may combine any of the aforementioned instead of taking a Group 6: Arts subject.

The Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Design Technology was last updated for first teaching in September 2014, with syllabus updates (including a decrease in the number of options), a new internal assessment component similar to that of the a new internal assessment component similar to that of the Group 5 (mathematics) explorations, and "a new concept-based approach" dubbed "the nature of science". A new, standard level-only course will also be introduced to cater to candidates who do not wish to further their studies in the sciences, focusing on important concepts in Chemistry, Biology and Physics.

2023 syllabus update The 3 core sciences namely Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, as well as Environmental Systems and Societies have been updated, with the first teaching in August 2023, and first examinations in May 2025. The syllabus change was originally scheduled for 2021, though the COVID-19 pandemic caused the IB to delay the syllabus change to 2023. Details of the specific changes can be found on the IBO website.

Structure and assessment All group 4 subjects (except computer science and environmental systems and societies; see below) follow roughly the same format. Each subject has its Subject Specific Core (SSC), i.e., material taught at both the standard and higher levels. Students sitting the Higher Level examination study the Additional Higher Level (AHL) material. Lastly, there is a list of options for each subject from which two are chosen. Higher Level students are sometimes unable to choose certain options that are available to Standard Level students because the AHL already covers it. Ideally, students choose the options based on their own abilities and preferences, but in practice the options are usually chosen by the school (based on the school's scientific facilities as well as the discretion of the instructor). Students spend one-quarter of the 150 hours of SL instruction (240 hours for HL; however, both numbers are merely recommendations and are not enforced) doing practical work in the laboratory. Group 4 subjects at the Standard Level are tailored for students who do not see themselves in further science instruction after leaving the programme.

Assessment of a Group 4 subject comprises the following: Internal assessment of the practical work (24%) Paper 1 – multiple choice questions on the SSC (20%) Paper 2 – free response questions on the SSC (32% at SL, 36% at HL) Paper 3 – free response questions on the options (24% at SL, 20% at HL)

At the Standard Level, the examinations are respectively 45 minutes, 1 hour and 15 minutes, and 1 hour long. At the Higher Level, they are 1 hour, 2 hours and 15 minutes, and 1 hour and 15 minutes long. Calculators are not permitted for Paper 1, but they (as well as a provided formula booklet and periodic table) are permitted for papers 2 and 3.

Subjects Physics (2009–2015)

Standard level 80 hours of instruction on 8 topics Physics and physical measurement Mechanics Thermal physics Oscillations and waves Electric currents Fields and forces Atomic and nuclear physics Energy, power and climate change with 30 hours of instruction on two optional subjects: Sight and wave phenomena Quantum physics and nuclear physics Digital technology Relativity and particle physics Astrophysics Communications Electromagnetic Waves and 40 hours of practical work.

Higher level 80 hours on Physics SL core subjects, with 55 hours on 6 additional topics: Motion in fields Thermal physics Wave phenomena Electromagnetic induction Quantum physics and nuclear physics Digital technology and 45 hours of instruction on two optional subjects: Astrophysics Communications Electromagnetic Waves Relativity Medical Physics Particle Physics and 60 hours of practical work.

Physics (2016–2022)

Topics

SL/HL core Topic 1: Measurements and uncertainties (5 hours) Topic 2: Mechanics (22 hours) Topic 3: Thermal physics (11 hours) Topic 4: Waves (15 hours) Topic 5: Electricity and magnetism (15 hours) Topic 6: Circular motion and gravitation (5 hours) Topic 7: Atomic, nuclear and particle physics (14 hours) Topic 8: Energy production (8 hours)

HL extension Topic 9: Wave phenomena (17 hours) Topic 10: Fields (11 hours) Topic 11: Electromagnetic induction (16 hours) Topic 12: Quantum and nuclear physics (16 hours)

Options Option A: Relativity (15/25 hours) Option B: Engineering physics (15/25 hours) Option C: Imaging (15/25 hours) Option D: Astrophysics (15/25 hours)

Physics (2023 onwards)

Source:

The 2023 updates to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Physics curriculum introduce a significant structural change, making it more cohesive and integrated. The new syllabus no longer distinguishes between "core" and "options," which makes it more difficult to pinpoint which topics are entirely new, slightly altered, or removed compared to the 2014 guide. This restructuring aims to provide a more unified approach to teaching physics. Some of the newly added sub-topics include Relativity, Engineering, Astrophysics, Entropy, Compton Scattering, Apparent Brightness, and Energy Resources. These changes reflect the growing importance of certain scientific fields in modern society and the relevance of physics in various technological and scientific advancements. For example, the inclusion of Relativity, Engineering, and Astrophysics highlights key concepts that have significant implications for understanding phenomena such as GPS technology, technological innovations, and the mysteries of the universe.

Along with these additions, certain topics have been removed from the curriculum. Topics such as Quarks, Capacitors, Diodes, The Weak Force, Thin Films, and Cosmology are no longer part of the syllabus. While the removal of these topics may initially seem like a loss, the revised curriculum is designed to offer a more streamlined and integrated learning experience. The new topics, particularly those related to modern physics, such as Entropy and Apparent Brightness, are considered essential for understanding contemporary scientific challenges and the evolving landscape of physics.

Topics ContentCoverageA. Space, time and motionA1. KinematicsSL/HLA2. Forces and momentumSL/HLA3. Work, energy and powerSL/HLA4. Rigid body mechanicsHL onlyA5. Galilean and special relativityHL onlyB. The particulate nature of matterB1. Thermal energy transfersSL/HLB2. Greenhouse effectSL/HLB3. Gas lawsSL/HLB4. Thermodynamics HL onlyB5. Current and circuitsSL/HLC. Wave behaviourC1. Simple harmonic motionSL/HL + HL additionalC2. Wave modelSL/HLC3. Wave phenomenaSL/HL + HL additionalC4. Standing waves and resonanceSL/HLC5. Doppler effectSL/HL + HL additionalD. FieldsD1. Gravitational fieldsSL/HL + HL additionalD2. Electric and magnetic fields SL/HL + HL additionalD3. Motion in electromagnetic fieldsSL/HLD4. InductionHL onlyE. Nuclear and quantum physicsE1. Structure of the atomSL/HL + HL additionalE2. Quantum physicsHL onlyE3. Radioactive decaySL/HL + HL additionalE4. FissionSL/HLE5. Fusion and starsSL/HLExperimental programmePractical workSL/HLCollaborative sciences project SL/HLScientific investigationSL/HL

Chemistry (2009–2015)

Standard level 80 hours of instruction on the topics: Quantitative Chemistry Atomic structure Periodicity Bonding Energetics Kinetics Equilibrium Acids and Bases Oxidation and reduction Organic chemistry Measurement and data processing and 30 hours on two options from the topics: Modern analytical chemistry Human Biochemistry Chemistry in industry and technology Medicines and drugs Environmental Chemistry Food chemistry Further Organic Chemistry together with 40 hours of practical work.

Higher level 80 hours on the core subjects of the Standard level course with 55 hours of instruction on these topics: Atomic structure Periodicity Bonding Energetics Kinetics Equilibrium Acids and Bases Oxidation and reduction Organic chemistry and 45 hours on two of the options in the standard course, and 60 hours of practical work.

Chemistry (2016–2022)

Topics

SL/HL core and HL extension Topic 1: Stoichiometric relationships (13.5 hours) Topic 2 + 12: Atomic structure (6/8 hours) Topic 3 + 13: Periodicity (6/10 hours) Topic 4 + 14: Chemical bonding and structure (13.5/20.5 hours) Topic 5 + 15: Energetics/thermochemistry (9/16 hours) Topic 6 + 16: Chemical kinetics (7/13 hours) Topic 7 + 17: Equilibrium (4.5/8.5 hours) Topic 8 + 18: Acids and bases (6.5/16.5 hours) Topic 9 + 19: Redox processes (8/14 hours) Topic 10 + 20: Organic chemistry (11/23 hours) Topic 11 + 21: Measurement and data processing (10/12 hours)

Options Option A: Materials (15/25 hours) Option B: Biochemistry (15/25 hours) Option C: Energy (15/25 hours) Option D: Medicinal chemistry (15/25 hours)

Chemistry (2023 onwards) Source:

Topics

ContentCoverageStructure 1. Models of the particulate nature of matterStructure 1.1 - Introduction to the particulate nature of matterSL/HLStructure 1.2 - The nuclear atomSL/HLStructure 1.3 - Electron configurationsSL/HLStructure 1.4 - Counting particles by mass: The moleSL/HLStructure 1.5 - Ideal gasesSL/HLStructure 2. Models of bonding and structureStructure 2.1 - The ionic modelSL/HLStructure 2.2 - The covalent modelSL/HLStructure 2.3 - The metallic modelSL/HLStructure 2.4 - From models to materialsSL/HLStructure 3. Classification of matterStructure 3.1 - The periodic table: Classification of elementsSL/HLStructure 3.2 - Functional groups: Classification of organic compoundsSL/HLReactivity 1. What drives chemical reactions?Reactivity 1.1 - Measuring enthalpy changeSL/HLReactivity 1.2 - Energy cycles in reactionsSL/HLReactivity 1.3 - Energy from fuelsSL/HLReactivity 1.4 - Entropy and spontaneity SL/HL + HL additionalReactivity 2. How much, how fast and how far?Reactivity 2.1 - How much? The amount of chemical change SL/HLReactivity 2.2 - How fast? The rate of chemical changeSL/HLReactivity 2.3 - How far? The extent of chemical changeSL/HLReactivity 3. What are the mechanisms of chemical change?Reactivity 3.1 - Proton transfer reactionsSL/HLReactivity 3.2 - Electron transfer reactionsSL/HLReactivity 3.3 - Electron sharing reactionsSL/HLReactivity 3.4 - Electron-pair sharing reactionsSL/HLExperimental programmePractical workSL/HLCollaborative sciences projectSL/HLScientific investigation SL/HL

Biology (2009–2015) Biology is the science of life and living organisms. Aside from instruction relevant to this, students are given the chance to learn complex laboratory techniques (e.g., DNA extraction) as well as develop mindful opinions about controversial topics in biology (e.g., stem-cell research and genetic modification). The syllabus lists thirteen topics, to be covered in an order varying from school to school:

Standard level 80 hours of instruction on 6 topics

Statistical Analysis Cells Chemistry of Life Genetics Ecology and evolution Health and human physiology

with 30 hours of instruction on two options from:

Human nutrition and health Physiology of exercise Cells and energy Evolution Neurobiology and behavior Microbes and Biotechnology Ecology and conservation

Higher level