New IBDP Chemistry Curriculum in 2023:An Overview. Get ready for a comprehensive new update to the International Baccalaureate Chemistry curriculum coming in 2023 for the First assessment 2025! This informative guide will explain the changes in detail and help you prepare for success in the upcoming curriculum. You must have gotten the idea of when did the IB chemistry syllabus change?
New IBDP Chemistry Curriculum in 2023: Changes to Syllabus Structure.
The new curriculum will feature a revised structure and syllabus design with the main topics now organized into five distinct units focusing on the five key themes of chemistry. These are: Structure, Properties and Transformations of Matter; Physics of Chemistry; Chemical Reactions; Laboratory Skills, Safety & Measurement; and Global Impact in Chemistry. Each unit is designed to develop your knowledge, skills, and appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of chemistry.
Instead of units, they are turned into structures based on the core of the structure Idea or theme.
The New IB DP Chemistry Curriculum in 2023 has no change in the duration of the course hours.
IB DP CHEMISTRY SL: 150 hours
Theory : 110 hours
Practicals: 40 hours
IB DP CHEMISTRY SL: 80% External exam and 20% Scientific investigation(Internal Assessment)
Paper 1: Duration of the exam is 1.5 hours and its weightage is 36%
Paper 1A: Multiple-choice questions
Paper 1B: Data-based questions and questions on experimental work
Paper 2: Duration of the exam is 1.5 hours and its weightage is 44%
Short-answer and extended-response questions
IB DP CHEMISTRY HL: 240 hours
Theory : 180 hours
Practicals: 60 hours
Assessment Overview
IB DP CHEMISTRY HL: 80% External exam and 20% Scientific investigation(Internal Assessment)
Paper 1: The duration of the exam is 2 hours and its weightage is 36% . Paper 1A: Multiple-choice questions and Paper 1B: Data-based questions and questions on experimental work
Paper 2: The duration of the exam is 2.5 hours and its weightage is 44%
Short-answer and extended-response questions
Structure 1. Models of the particulate nature of matter
- Structure 1.1—Introduction to the particulate nature of matter
- Structure 1.2—The nuclear atom
- Structure 1.3—Electron configurations
- Structure 1.4—Counting particles by mass: The mole
- Structure 1.5—Ideal gases
Structure 2. Models of bonding and structure
- Structure 2.1—The ionic model
- Structure 2.2—The covalent model
- Structure 2.3—The metallic model
- Structure 2.4—From models to materials
Structure 3. Classification of matter
- Structure 3.1—The periodic table: Classification of elements
- Structure 3.2—Functional groups: Classification of organic compounds
Reactivity 1. What drives chemical reactions?
- Reactivity 1.1—Measuring enthalpy change
- Reactivity 1.2—Energy cycles in reactions
- Reactivity 1.3—Energy from fuels
- Reactivity 1.4—Entropy and spontaneity (Additional higher level)
Reactivity 2. How much, how fast and how far?
- Reactivity 2.1—How much? The amount of chemical change
- Reactivity 2.2—How fast? The rate of chemical change
- Reactivity 2.3—How far? The extent of chemical change
Reactivity 3. What are the mechanisms of chemical change?
- Reactivity 3.1—Proton transfer reactions
- Reactivity 3.2—Electron transfer reactions
- Reactivity 3.3—Electron sharing reactions
- Reactivity 3.4—Electron-pair sharing reactions
Experimental programme
- Practical work
- Collaborative sciences project
- Scientific investigation is similar to chemistry IA.
- Scientific investigation is a process of collecting and evaluating data, evidence, and information with the purpose of answering an open-ended research question. The quality of the resulting report is determined by its word count; it should not exceed 3,000 words in total. Through this process, students can gain knowledge and understanding as they work on their own formulated questions.
New Topics and Learning Objectives.
The revised curriculum has a focus on connecting topics to one another, by providing more meaningful learning experiences and preparing students for further study in science. The new syllabus includes the introduction of topics such as: Atomic Structure & Semiconductors; Chemistry of the Environment; and Materials Science. Along with these new topics comes an emphasis on meeting specific learning objectives, enabling students to understand the relationships between core concepts.
Assessed Laboratories and Practical Experiments.
Assessed laboratory and practical experiments will form an important part of the new curriculum.These assessments focus on appreciating the wider context of investigations and exploring how core concepts apply to inquiry-based approaches.
Focus on Interdisciplinary Connections.
One of the most exciting new features of the IB DP Chemistry curriculum is its focus on interdisciplinary connections. This includes taking a journey through all four stages of the science cycle: inquiry, design, implementation and analysis.
Online Resource Tool Support for Teachers and Students.
The new IBDP Chemistry curriculum in 2023 provides a range of online resource tools to help support teachers and students. This includes material structures and diagrams, practice questions associated with the new syllabus. Animations illustrating concepts, as well as interactive guided inquiry projects that allow students to work on realistic problems within existing and new syllabi content. As with other parts of the IB curriculum, the materials are kept up-to-date to ensure that teachers and learners can benefit from the latest advances in understanding – making sure they’re always well prepared for class! So hope you now know when did the IB chemistry syllabus change?
You can read chemistry IA Ideas here.
