IB Group 5 subjects
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This article is part of the International Baccalaureate series. |
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The Group Five of IB Diploma Programme subjects, subtitled mathematics and computer science consists of four levels of mathematics courses and an elective computer science course. To earn an IB Diploma, a candidate must pass at least one mathematics course. The mathematics courses are Mathematics (HL or SL), Mathematical Studies (SL), and Further Mathematics (SL).
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[edit] Mathematics HL and SL
Standard Level students study a subset of the material Higher Level students study, though to lesser depth (190 hours versus 240 hours). The core consists of these topics:
- Number and algebra
- Functions and equations
- Circular functions and trigonometry
- Vector geometry
- Matrices and transformations
- Statistics
- Probability
- Calculus
In addition to the core material, Higher Level candidates choose one optional topic from the following:
- Further statistics
- Sets, relations, and groups
- Discrete mathematics
- Analysis and approximation
- Euclidean geometry and conic sections
[edit] Assessment
At both levels, there is an internally assessed component worth 20% of the final mark, a portfolio comprising of:
- A mathematical investigation
- A mathematical modelling task
External assessments given in May are worth 80% of the final mark:
- Paper 1, 20 (15 at SL) short questions on the core
- Paper 2, 5 in-depth questions on the core
- Paper 3, in-depth questions relating to the chosen option
Papers 1 and 2 are two hours long each at HL and 1 hour and 30 minutes long each at SL. Paper 3 is only given to HL students. In the past, in paper 1 maximum marks were awarded for a correct answer even if no work was shown, while partial marks were awarded if relevant work was shown without a correct answer. As of 2006, work must be shown for all papers. Students are permitted to use graphing calculators for Paper 2 and Paper 3 but will not be permitted to use calculators for Paper 1 starting from the November 2008 examinations. Additional calculator restrictions were instituted in 2006: all calculator programs must be removed, and calculators with a QWERTY keyboard, and the TI-89 are not permitted.
[edit] Further Mathematics
The Further Mathematics course, offered only at the Standard Level, is the most rigorous of the Group Five courses. The course assumes knowledge of the core material of higher level course; its own core consists of all options of Mathematics HL and an additional unit of geometry. There are no options. Students must take Further Mathematics SL as their elective choice or as an extra subject, since the course is taken concurrently with Mathematics HL.
[edit] Mathematical Studies
Offered only at the Standard Level, this course is aimed at students not requiring mathematics in their future studies. It emphasises applying mathematics to real-world situations. Its core consists of:
- Number and algebra
- Sets and logic
- Geometry and trigonometry
- Statistics and probability
- Functions and equations
- Financial mathematics
Students also choose one option of the following:
- Matrices and graph theory
- Further statistics and probability
- Introductory differential calculus
[edit] Assessment
- Individual piece of work involving the collection and generation, and analysis and evaluation of data (20%)
- Paper 1, 15 short questions on the core (1 hour and 30 minutes)
- Paper 2, 5 in-depth questions on the core (1 hour and 30 minutes)
