Science

Science — MYP 5

International Baccalaureate · Ages 15-16

MYP 5 completes the Middle Years science courses in biology, chemistry and physics, with content comparable to IGCSE and, where offered, an external eAssessment.

Biology covers genetics, homeostasis, ecology and human physiology; chemistry covers the mole, rates, energetics, organic chemistry and analysis; physics covers mechanics, electricity, waves, radioactivity and space.

This is the year students choose Diploma sciences and levels. The scientific investigation skills assessed here — variables, uncertainty, data processing and evaluation — map directly onto the Diploma internal assessment.

Key topics covered

• Genetics & Homeostasis — DNA, inheritance, variation, control systems and human physiology.
• Ecology & Human Impact — Ecosystems, energy flow, biodiversity and sustainability.
• Quantitative Chemistry — The mole, concentration, yield and reacting mass calculations.
• Rates, Energetics & Organic — Reaction rates, enthalpy change, hydrocarbons and functional groups.
• Mechanics & Electricity — Newton's laws, momentum, energy, circuits and power.
• Waves, Radiation & Space — Wave behaviour, the EM spectrum, radioactivity, stars and the universe.
• Scientific Investigation — Independent design, uncertainty, data processing and evaluation.