The Group 5: Mathematics subjects of the IB Diploma Programme consist of four different mathematics courses. To earn an IB Diploma, a candidate must take one of the following four mathematics courses: Mathematical Studies SL (Standard Level), Mathematics SL, Mathematics HL (Higher Level) or Further Mathematics HL. Further Mathematics HL can also be taken as an elective in addition to Mathematics HL. The Computer science SL and HL courses, which were elective courses in group 5, is, for first examinations in 2014, a full course in group 4.
Video IB Group 5 subjects
Mathematical Studies SL
Curriculum
The Mathematical Studies SL course "is designed to build confidence and encourage an appreciation of mathematics in students" who do not expect mathematics to be a major component of their university studies. Its curriculum consists of the following topics:
- Numbers and algebra
- Sets, logic, and probability
- Functions
- Geometry and trigonometry
- Statistics
- Introductory differential calculus
- Financial mathematics
Assessment
The internal assessment for this course comprises 20% of the final mark and consists of a project that is "an individual piece of work involving the collection of information or the generation of measurement." The project is intended to make up 20 hours of the overall classroom time for the course.
The details for the external assessment exams, both of which evaluate a student's knowledge of the entire curriculum, are outlined in the table below.
Maps IB Group 5 subjects
Mathematics SL and HL
Core curriculum for Mathematics SL and HL
Mathematics SL is primarily intended for students who "expect to need a sound mathematical background as they prepare for future studies in subjects such as chemistry and business management," and its curriculum is a small subset of the Mathematics HL curriculum. Hence, students planning to apply for engineering subjects and Economics , especially to the top ivy league colleges, are not recommended to take Mathematics SL. Topics from the following areas form the common "Core curriculum" for both courses:
- Algebra
- Functions and equations
- Circular functions and trigonometry
- Vectors
- Statistics and probability
- Calculus
In Mathematics SL, students are provided a minimum of 140 instructional hours on the topics from the Core.
Additional requirements for Mathematics HL
Mathematics, in the IB Diploma course, is one subject with the greatest difference in difficulty and analysis between SL and HL students. Hence, Mathematics HL is intended for students "with a good background in mathematics who are competent in a range of analytical and technical skills," and who anticipate that mathematics will be "a major component of their university studies, either as a subject in its own right or within courses such as physics, economics, engineering and technology." Therefore, HL students study the Core topics in much greater depth than SL students and for a minimum of 190 instructional hours, studying at least one of the following optional topics ("Options"), for a minimum of 40 additional instructional hours:
- Further statistics and probability
- Sets, relations, and groups
- Calculus, formerly Series and differential equations
- Discrete mathematics
Assessment
In both courses, there is an internal assessment composed of mathematical investigation paper (formerly a portfolio of two papers), which is worth 20% of the student's final mark. The project is intended to comprise a combined total of 10 hours of the overall classroom time for both courses.
The table below outlines the external assessment requirements for both courses:
In both courses, the Paper 1 and Paper 2 exams test students only on their knowledge of topics from the Core. In Mathematics HL, the Paper 3 exam tests students specifically on their knowledge of the material from the Option selected by the school. As of the May 2008 examinations, schools are required to register students for a specific Option in advance and the school is now provided only the examination paper for the registered Option. In order for a student to be awarded full marks for an answer on any of the Mathematics SL or HL exams, accurate work must be shown.
Further Mathematics HL
Curriculum
The Further Mathematics HL course (SL before 2014) is designed for students with a high degree of competence and interest in mathematics, and who "intend to study mathematics at university, either as a subject in its own right or as a major component of a related subject." Students who take this course most often also take Mathematics HL and knowledge of all material from the Core curriculum of Mathematics HL is necessary and presumed, as well as knowledge of at least one of the four Options offered in Mathematics HL. The curriculum for Further Mathematics HL includes all of the topics from all four of these Options, for which 144 hours of instruction are allotted, and additional topics from geometry and linear algebra, for which 96 hours of instruction are allotted. There are no optional topics in Further Mathematics HL.
Assessment
There is no internal assessment for this course. A summary of the required external assessment exams, both of which evaluate the student's knowledge of the entire curriculum, is provided in the table below.
Computer science SL and HL
Computer science is, from first exams in 2014, no longer an elective course in group 5 but a full course in group 4, and has an updated syllabus and assessment scheme. The courses' focus shifted away from "program construction in Java" and "computational thinking" now lies at the core of the course.
Use of calculators on IB mathematics external assessments
Students are permitted and expected to use a graphic display calculator (GDC) on some or all of their IB mathematics exams, depending on which course the student takes. Noting again that calculators are not permitted on the Paper 1 exam for both Mathematics SL and HL, the IB offers the following guidance with regards to required GDC functionality on mathematics exams:
"A GDC with the following minimum functionalities is required on all other papers:
- draw graphs with any viewing window
- solve equations numerically
- add and multiply and find inverse matrices
- find a numerical derivative at a point
- find a numerical definite integral
- find p values (not required for mathematics SL).
Examiners will set questions assuming that all candidates have a GDC with the minimum functionalities listed here. Candidates using only four-function or scientific calculators, or a less able GDC will be at a disadvantage."
All other types of calculators (such as those found on phones, watches, or PDAs, or those equipped with a Computer Algebra System (CAS)) are prohibited on all IB exams. To be approved for use on IB exams, a GDC must have its memory cleared and all user-written/downloaded programs and applications must be removed (except for a limited number of specifically approved applications). The list of approved applications primarily consists of native language support for users who are not English speakers, along with a small number of additional applications.
Recommended models include the TI-83 Plus/TI-84 Plus families and 11 different non-CAS Casio GDCs, as well as the non-CAS TI-Nspire either with TI-84 faceplate or with the Nspire faceplate configured as described below.
While the TI-Nspire with Nspire faceplate was initially prohibited, it was later authorized, provided the (non-CAS) GDC is equipped with version 1.3 of the operating software, has the "Press-to-Test" mode enabled (with "limit geometry functions" enabled), and has the green LED flashing. (A notice that reflected this change was posted on the IB Online Curriculum Center on 15 Sep 2008.)
Footnotes
References
- Conditions of use of GDCs in examinations from 2008 onwards. International Baccalaureate Organization. 2007.
- Diploma Programme, Coordinator Notes, September 2007. International Baccalaureate Organization. 2007.
- Diploma Programme, Further Mathematics SL subject guide, First examinations 2006. Cardiff, Wales, UK: International Baccalaureate Organization. 2004.
- Diploma Programme, Handbook of Procedures for the Diploma Program, May and November 2009 examination sessions. Cardiff, Wales, UK: International Baccalaureate Organization. 2008.
- Diploma Programme, Mathematics HL subject guide, First examinations 2008. Cardiff, Wales, UK: International Baccalaureate Organization. 2006.
- Diploma Programme, Mathematics SL subject guide, First examinations 2008. Cardiff, Wales, UK: International Baccalaureate Organization. 2006.
- Diploma Programme, Mathematical Studies SL subject guide, First examinations 2006. Cardiff, Wales, UK: International Baccalaureate Organization. 2004.
- Schools' Guide to the Diploma Programme (PDF). Geneva, Switzerland: International Baccalaureate Organization. 2002. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-12-29. Retrieved 3 Jul 2009.
- Diploma Programme, Computer Science subject guide, First examinations 2010. Cardiff, Wales, UK: International Baccalaureate Organization. 2008.
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