Marine Science SL (SBC) IB 1,2 (HP) (6373, 6374)    - SITE ADOPTED COURSE -

IB Marine Science SL is a two-semester multidisciplinary course that provides a rigorous option for schools in coastal areas, where hands-on practical work in the field can be carried out and students have many opportunities to engage in real-world scientific inquiry and investigation. This is a “school-basedsyllabus” course authorized by the International Baccalaureate Organization for specific schools to meet a specific International Baccalaureate diploma subject area. It satisfies the Group 4 (Experimental Science) requirement for the IB diploma.

Students in this course develop a deep understanding of five topics: origin and structure of oceans; dynamics of Earth’s crust; patterns of water movement; properties of ocean water; ocean life. A sixth topic is selected from three options: marine ecosystems; atmosphere, ocean, and climate; geology of ocean basins.

Students are required to complete a total of 40 hours of laboratory and field work. In addition, students demonstrate their knowledge and analytical skills through writing, discussion, formulating scientific research questions, and producing formal lab reports. The course is designed to address the practices of science and engineering as identified in the Next Generation Science Standards.