How is the IBDP curriculum structured?
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) is a broad, balanced, conceptual and connected curriculum designed to challenge and inspire students in their academic journey. The curriculum is structured around six subject groups, ensuring a broad and holistic learning experience:
Group 1 Studies in Language and Literature - Group 1 challenges students to critically engage with a diverse range of texts, fostering an appreciation for language's role in shaping literature and its expressions, while developing analytical and communicative skills.
Group 2 Language Acquisition - Students enhance their communicative abilities in a language other than their mother tongue. It cultivates linguistic proficiency and cross-cultural understanding, enabling students to communicate effectively and fostering a global mindset through language study.
Group 3 Individuals and Societies - This subject group delves into the study of human experiences and societies, including business management, economics, geography, and more, to understand the complexities of the social world.
Group 4 Sciences - Covering areas such as physics, chemistry, and biology, this group emphasizes the development of scientific literacy, an understanding of the natural world, critical thinking, and the ability to apply scientific knowledge to real-world challenges.
Group 5 Mathematics - The mathematics group instills a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and their applications, nurturing logical reasoning and problem-solving skills that are essential across disciplines.
Group 6 Arts - The arts group encourages creative expression and critical appreciation of the arts, developing students' perceptual and analytical skills within a dynamic and culturally rich artistic landscape.
In addition to the six subject groups, the IBDP features three core elements that are central to the programme's philosophy:
Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) - CAS is a dynamic and holistic component that encourages students to engage in creative pursuits, physical activities, and community service, fostering well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society.
Theory of Knowledge (ToK) - ToK is an interdisciplinary course that challenges students to reflect on the nature of knowledge itself, encouraging critical thinking and an understanding of diverse ways of knowing.
Extended Essay (EE) - The EE is an independent research project of up to 4,000 words, where students immerse themselves in a topic of personal interest under the guidance of a supervisor, honing their research and academic writing skills.
The IBDP curriculum model is designed to not only provide a rigorous academic education but also to develop inquisitive, knowledgeable, and caring young people who are prepared to succeed in their future endeavors and contribute to a better world.
At ZSHSID, the subjects we offer is outlined in the following table but there may be minor adjustments each year:
The IBDP curriculum is both comprehensive and intensive. Comprehensiveness is ensured by mandating that students who pursue a full diploma must select one subject from each of the six subject groups, encompassing a diverse range of six disciplines. Intensiveness is highlighted by the requirement that students undertake at least three subjects at the Higher Level (HL), which offer a more challenging and in-depth study of the subject matter, while the remaining three are pursued at the Standard Level (SL), providing a balanced educational breadth.
The sixth subject group, Arts, is elective. Students who do not wish to study Arts have the flexibility to choose an alternative subject from either the third or fourth subject groups. For instance, if a student decides not to take the Visual Arts course, they could substitute it with a course in business management, economics, physics, chemistry, or biology, depending on their interests and academic goals.