- Course Registration Guide
Course Descriptions
2025/26
Science 9
(Grade 9; 1 year; 1.0 credit)
Science 9 is an interdisciplinary course that, combined with Science 10, will cover topics in physical sciences, life sciences, earth and space sciences and engineering. The course is built using the Next Generation Science Standards (USA) and through their study, students will gain a more holistic understanding of the world around them. The course will allow students to gain the skills necessary for inquiry, and the development of scientific models and explanations. It will also allow students to become more scientifically literate and encourage them to reflect on the impact of science, technology, and engineering on society and the environment. Topics of study include: forces, chemical bonding, the molecules of life, cellular systems, and climate change. This course will prepare students for Science 10, which will build on this course, and ultimately prepare students for any of the International Baccalaureate sciences.
Science 10
(Grade 10; 1 year; 1.0 credit)
Science 10 is an interdisciplinary course that, combined with Science 9, will cover topics in physical sciences, life sciences, earth and space sciences and engineering. The course is built using the Next Generation Science Standards (USA) and through their study, students will gain a more holistic understanding of the world around them. The course will allow students to gain the skills necessary for inquiry, and the development of scientific models and explanations. It will also allow students to become more scientifically literate and encourage them to reflect on the impact of science, technology, and engineering on society and the environment. Topics of study include energy, ecosystems, chemical changes, motion and forces. This course will prepare students for any of the International Baccalaureate sciences.
Science and Engineering
(Grade 11/12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
This is a two year, non-IB course for students pursuing the Lincoln Diploma. In this course students will explore science through an interdisciplinary lens to design, evaluate, and refine solutions to real world problems. The Next Generation Science and Engineering Standards (USA) are used to guide assessment in this course. Students will become scientifically literate as they develop skills in: question asking; developing and using models; planning and carrying out investigations; developing and using models; planning and investigating; analyzing and interpreting data; using mathematical and computational thinking; constructing explanations; engaging in argument; and scientific communication.
IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) Standard Level (SL)
(Grade 11/12; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
This is a two-year course in environmental systems and societies that provides students with a coherent perspective of the interrelationships between environmental systems and human societies; one that will enable students to adopt an informed personal response to the wide range of pressing environmental issues that they will inevitably come to face. The course aims to foster an international perspective, awareness of local and global environmental concerns and an understanding of the scientific method. Studied topics include systems and sustainability, the biosphere, the hydrosphere, the geosphere, the atmosphere, and the anthroposphere. The use of technology is mandatory throughout the course, as is the collaborative sciences project. Laboratory experiences are used to illustrate the application of the scientific method and prepare students for the major internal assessment (IA) in year 2. ESS is an interdisciplinary course that satisfies the IB Diploma requirements for Group 3 and/or Group 4.
IB Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) Higher Level (HL)
(Offered for Grade 11 Year 1 IB students in 2025-26; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
This is a two-year course in environmental systems and societies that provides students with a coherent perspective of the interrelationships between environmental systems and human societies; one that will enable students to adopt an informed personal response to the wide range of pressing environmental issues that they will inevitably come to face. The course aims to foster an international perspective, awareness of local and global environmental concerns and an understanding of the scientific method. Studied topics include ecosystems, human carrying capacity and resource use, conservation and biodiversity, pollution management, sustainable food production, and global warming. The collaborative science project will help students appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of scientific skills and their application to solve problems in a global context and it is a mandatory component of this course. Laboratory experiences are used to illustrate the application of the scientific method and prepare students for the major internal assessment (IA) in year 2. ESS is an interdisciplinary course that satisfies the IB Diploma requirements for Group 3 and/or Group 4.
IB Biology Standard Level (SL)
(Grade 11-12; 2 year; 2.0 credit)
IB Biology Standard Level is a two year course that investigates four major themes in biology: Unity & Diversity, Form & Function, Interaction & Interdependence, and Continuity & Change. These themes are explored through various topics such as biochemistry, cells, genetics, ecology, evolution and human physiology. This is an advanced biology course aimed to prepare students for future study in university. Students will learn and continuously practice the writing and analysis skills which are critical for success on external exams and investigation reports. Throughout the course, the scientific method is taught and applied and Theory of Knowledge, international-mindedness and ethical principles are addressed. The collaborative science project will help students appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of scientific skills and their application to solve problems in a global context and it is a mandatory component of this course. Laboratory experiences are used to illustrate the application of the scientific method and prepare students for the major internal assessment (IA) in year 2. A minimum of 40 lab hours will be completed during the course.
IB Biology Higher Level (HL)
(Grade 11-12; 2 year; 2.0 credit)
IB Biology Higher Level is a two year course that investigates four major themes in biology: Unity & Diversity, Form & Function, Interaction & Interdependence, and Continuity & Change. These themes are explored through various topics such as biochemistry, cells, genetics, ecology, evolution and human physiology. Additional higher level topics are similar to the core topics but are studied in greater depth and represent 70 extra teaching hours. This is an advanced biology course aimed to prepare students for future study in university. Students will learn and continuously practice the writing and analysis skills which are critical for success on external exams and investigation reports. Throughout the course, the scientific method is taught and applied and Theory of Knowledge, international-mindedness and ethical principles are addressed. The collaborative science project will help students appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of scientific skills and their application to solve problems in a global context and it is a mandatory component of this course. Laboratory experiences are used to illustrate the application of the scientific method and prepare students for the major internal assessment (IA) in year 2. A minimum of 60 lab hours will be completed during the course.
IB Chemistry Standard Level (SL)
(Grade 11-12; 2 year; 2.0 credit)
The IB Chemistry Standard Level (SL) course provides students with a comprehensive foundation in chemistry, emphasizing practical applications, scientific inquiry, and analytical thinking. This course covers core topics such as atomic structure, chemical bonding, energetics, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, and organic chemistry. Students will also explore contemporary global challenges like energy resources, environmental chemistry, and sustainable practices, integrating scientific knowledge with ethical and social considerations.
The course combines theoretical study with hands-on laboratory investigations, encouraging students to apply the scientific method and develop practical skills in data collection, analysis, and evaluation. Through group projects, lab work, and independent investigations, students gain a deep understanding of scientific concepts while honing their problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities.
Upon completion, students are prepared for further study in the sciences and equipped with essential scientific literacy, supporting their contributions to an informed and responsible global community. The IB Chemistry SL course prepares students for the rigorous IB assessments, which include both external exams and an internal assessment that evaluates their investigative skills.
IB Chemistry Higher Level (HL)
(Grade 11-12; 2 year; 2.0 credit)
The IB Chemistry Higher Level (HL) course offers an in-depth exploration of chemical principles, emphasizing complex problem-solving, critical analysis, and scientific research. Building on the SL core, HL students dive deeper into advanced topics, including thermodynamics, advanced organic chemistry, periodicity, and additional units on energy cycles and electrochemistry. This course also addresses real-world issues like environmental sustainability, green chemistry, and the impact of chemical science on society.
With a strong focus on experimentation, the HL curriculum involves extensive laboratory work, allowing students to develop sophisticated investigative skills in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific writing. In addition to core labs, students complete a personal investigation through the Internal Assessment, where they design and execute an independent research project.
The IB Chemistry HL course prepares students for the rigorous IB assessments, combining theoretical understanding with practical application through a mix of external exams and the Internal Assessment. It is ideal for students interested in careers in science, engineering, medicine, or any field requiring a deep understanding of scientific principles and analytical skills. This course empowers students to think critically, communicate scientifically, and appreciate the profound role of chemistry in a modern, globalized world.
IB Physics Standard Level (SL)
(Grade 11-12; 2 year; 2.0 credit)
IB Physics standard level course includes 5 large topics. These topics are Space time and motion, the particulate nature of matter, wave behavior, fields, and nuclear and quantum physics. This course is a lab heavy course with 40 hours total dedicated to laboratory work. Throughout the course, the scientific method is taught and applied and Theory of Knowledge, international-mindedness and ethical principles are addressed. The collaborative science project will help students appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of scientific skills and their application to solve problems in a global context and it is a mandatory component of this course. Laboratory experiences are used to illustrate application of the scientific method. Students who choose to enroll in this course are expected to spend extra hours completing labs and/or theory outside of the school day.
IB Physics Higher Level (HL)
(Grade 11-12; 2 year; 2.0 credit)
IB Physics higher level (HL) includes all the material covered by the SL course in addition to extra sub units in each one of the big 5 categories. These additions are extensions of the SL topics, some of them are completely new like relativity, and they are at a higher level conceptually, they also require a high level of math to solve the problems. This course is a lab heavy course with 60 hours total dedicated to laboratory work. Throughout the course, the scientific method is taught and applied and Theory of Knowledge, international-mindedness and ethical principles are addressed. The collaborative science project will help students appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of scientific skills and their application to solve problems in a global context and it is a mandatory component of this course. Laboratory experiences are used to illustrate application of the scientific method. Students who choose to enroll in this course are expected to spend extra hours completing labs and/or theory outside of the school day.
IB Computer Science Standard Level (SL)
(Grade 11-12; 2 year; 2.0 credit)
Recommended experience: Computer Science 9/10
IB Computer science is a rigorous and practical problem-solving discipline. The core topics are System Fundamentals, Computer Organization, Networks, and Computational thinking. Computational thinking lies at the heart of the course and is supported by practical activities including writing pseudocode programming. Students will gain experience with databases, modeling and simulation, web science, and object oriented programming. Though there is no designated language, practical programming experience will be an essential element of developing higher-level thinking skills and this may be assessed as a part of the internal assessment (IA) in year two. Furthermore, the content in this course will make connections to Theory of Knowledge, international-mindedness, and ethics. The collaborative science project will help students appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of scientific skills and their application to solve problems in a global context and it is a mandatory component of this course.
IB Computer Science Higher Level (HL)
(Offered for Grade 11 Year 1 IB students in 2025-26; 2 years; 2.0 credits)
Prerequisite: Computer Science 9/10
IB Computer science is a rigorous and practical problem-solving discipline. The core topics are System Fundamentals, Computer Organization, Networks, and Computational thinking. Computational thinking lies at the heart of the course and is supported by practical activities including writing pseudocode programming. Students will gain experience with databases, modeling and simulation, web science, and object oriented programming. Though there is no designated language, practical programming experience will be an essential element of developing higher-level thinking skills and this may be assessed as a part of the internal assessment (IA) in year two. Furthermore, the content in this course will make connections to Theory of Knowledge, international-mindedness, and ethics. The collaborative science project will help students appreciate the interdisciplinary nature of scientific skills and their application to solve problems in a global context and it is a mandatory component of this course.
The HL course differs from the SL course in having additional subject content in the concepts of computer science, and computational thinking and problem solving: computer fundamentals, networks, databases, machine learning, computational thinking, programming, object oriented programming (OOP), and the case study. The HL course also studies abstract data types.