IB Biology SL is the standard level of the IB Diploma Programme biology course, built around four themes and assessed by two exam papers plus an internal assessment investigation. Our IB Biology SL course follows the current syllabus themes: unity and diversity, form and function, interaction and interdependence, and continuity and change, from molecules and cells to ecosystems. You prepare for Paper 1 and Paper 2, including data-based and extended-response questions. Lessons are live and one-to-one with a verified IB tutor, who uses IB-style questions and markbands, and can review the planning of your internal assessment within IB rules. Suitable for DP1 and DP2 students and May or November candidates.
Reviewed by N. Kanik, Master's in Biology / Life SciencesLast updated
$14 – $34
per hour
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What you will learn
Prerequisites
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Course structure
In short: this course gives one-to-one online tutoring for IB Diploma Biology SL. A verified biology tutor teaches the four themes, Paper 1B data analysis, extended responses and the scientific investigation, using IB-style questions and markbands.
IB Diploma Programme Biology Standard Level is the IB's biology course for the two-year Diploma. The current syllabus, first assessed in 2025, is organised into four themes and assessed by two exam papers and an internal scientific investigation. It is graded 1 to 7.
This course covers the full SL syllabus one to one with a verified IB biology tutor.
Official specification: IB Biology subject brief.
For broader help, see our biology tutoring page, or the IB Chemistry HL course if you also take chemistry.
IB Biology (first assessed in 2025) has two papers and an internal assessment. At SL, Paper 1 lasts 1 hour 30 minutes and Paper 2 lasts 1 hour 30 minutes. The teaching time is 150 hours at SL.
| Component | Format | SL time | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | 1A multiple choice and 1B data-based questions | 1 hour 30 minutes | 36% |
| Paper 2 | Short-answer and extended-response questions | 1 hour 30 minutes | 44% |
| Internal assessment | Scientific investigation (written report) | About 10 hours of work | 20% |
IB Biology SL is often seen as one of the more accessible IB sciences, but it carries a lot of content and terminology, and data-based questions need regular practice. Students who revise steadily, learn the command terms and practise past-paper data questions usually do well. Leaving content until the final months is the most common problem.
| Theme | Key content |
|---|---|
| A Unity and diversity | Water, nucleic acids, the origins of cells, cell structure, classification, diversity of organisms |
| B Form and function | Carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, membranes, gas exchange, transport, adaptation |
| C Interaction and interdependence | Enzymes, metabolism, cell respiration, photosynthesis, neural and hormonal signalling, defence against disease, ecosystems |
| D Continuity and change | DNA replication, protein synthesis, mutation, cell division, inheritance, homeostasis, natural selection, sustainability |
Paper 1B gives you unfamiliar data from experiments to analyse.
Here is a typical data question: a population changes from 400 to 520 individuals. Calculate the percentage change.
| Step | Working |
|---|---|
| Change | 520 − 400 = 120 |
| Divide by original | 120 ÷ 400 = 0.30 |
| Percentage | 0.30 × 100 = 30% increase |
Students most often lose marks with imprecise terminology, describing data without analysis, missing units and uncertainties, and IA reports with an unfocused research question.
| Mark-loser | What to do instead |
|---|---|
| Imprecise terminology | Use the guide's terms exactly |
| Data described, not analysed | Quote values and explain trends |
| Missing units or uncertainties | Include them in tables and calculations |
| Unfocused IA question | Narrow it to one clear, measurable variable |
| Weak evaluation | Discuss specific limitations and improvements |
The internal assessment is a scientific investigation of your own design, written up as a report after about 10 hours of practical work. It is worth 20% and marked against the IB internal assessment criteria. Tutors help you refine a focused research question, plan a valid method and strengthen your analysis and evaluation. Feedback is given within the IB's academic integrity rules; the investigation you submit is always your own.
Lessons are live and one to one on video with a shared whiteboard. Your tutor uses IB specimen and past papers and markschemes. See also IB Chemistry HL, IB DP Core and our Biology subject page.
An IB biology tutor online gives you live 1-to-1 lessons on the four syllabus themes, with practice on data-based questions and guidance on your internal assessment.
This course suits Diploma Programme students taking Biology at Standard Level, in any country.
Prerequisites: secondary school biology, basic chemistry and maths, and reading graphs.
Course length: 40 one-hour lessons across 4 themes.
| Stage | Topics | What you can do afterwards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Unity and diversity | Explain molecules, cells and classification |
| 2 | Form and function | Link structure to function from molecules to organisms |
| 3 | Interaction and interdependence | Explain metabolism, integration and ecosystems |
| 4 | Continuity and change | Explain genetics, evolution and homeostasis |
Where it leads: see our biology tutoring page, or the IB Chemistry HL course if you also take chemistry.
Yes. The current IB Biology syllabus was first assessed in May 2025.
Two: Paper 1 (36%) and Paper 2 (44%), each 1 hour 30 minutes, plus the IA (20%).
A data-based section of Paper 1 in which you analyse unfamiliar experimental data.
Unity and diversity; form and function; interaction and interdependence; continuity and change.
A written report based on about 10 hours of investigation.
A required interdisciplinary project for all science students. It is not graded.
No. Tutors give feedback and guidance; the IA must be your own work.
Learn the syllabus thoroughly, practise data-based questions and produce a well-designed, well-evaluated IA.
The price depends on the tutor and session length. You see the hourly rate before booking, with no subscription.
Yes. Lessons are online and scheduled around your time zone.
The scientific investigation is worth 20% and takes about 10 hours of work.
150 hours at SL and 240 hours at HL.
AO1 knowledge; AO2 understanding and application; AO3 analysis, evaluation and synthesis; AO4 investigation skills.
Both levels share the same four themes and internal assessment, but HL adds higher-level content and longer, more demanding exam papers. SL has 150 recommended teaching hours and HL has 240. HL suits students who need biology for courses such as medicine, while SL gives a solid foundation with a lighter workload.
Yes. Lessons are online, so you can book times that suit your time zone.
Paper 1 and Paper 2 are each 1 hour 30 minutes at SL.
Pick a focused question with one independent variable you can measure reliably in the time available.
Tutors explain the criteria and give feedback on your planning and drafts, while the investigation stays your own.
The IB sells past papers and markschemes through its online store, and schools often hold recent ones. Check that papers match your syllabus, because the course changed recently and older papers have a different format. Your tutor selects suitable questions by theme and sets full timed papers later.
Choose a course book written for the current IB Biology syllabus, organised around the four themes, because older editions follow a different structure. Ask your teacher which one your school uses. Your tutor links lessons to your book and adds data-based and extended-response practice.
Yes. You can learn with a 1-to-1 IB biology tutor online through live video lessons from any country. Your tutor follows your school scheme, explains each theme, practises Paper 1B data questions and extended responses, and gives guidance on your IA while the work remains your own.
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