IB Chemistry Web

IB Syllabus 2016

The new syllabus for first examinations 2016 contains several changes with respect to the previous (2009) version. The new syllabus notes can be accessed by clicking on the main section headings below.

The syllabus statements can be accessed by clicking on each sub-section heading.

Core Additional higher level

1. Stoichiometric relationships

2. Atomic theory

12. - Atomic structure

3. Periodicity

13. - The periodic table—the transition metals

4. Chemical bonding and structure

14. - Chemical bonding and structure

5. Energetics/ Thermodynamics

15. - Energetics/thermochemistry

6. Chemical kinetics

16. Chemical kinetics

7. Equilibrium

17. Equilibrium

8. Acids and bases

18. Acids and bases

9. Redox processes

19. Redox processes

10. Organic chemistry

20. Organic chemistry

11. Measurement and data processing

21. - Measurement and analysis

Options 15 hours (SL) Option 25 hours (HL)

Option A - Materials Core topics

  • A.1 Materials science introduction
  • A.2 Metals and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) spectroscopy
  • A.3 Catalysts
  • A.4 Liquid crystals
  • A.5 Polymers
  • A.6 Nanotechnology
  • A.7 Environmental impact-plastics

Additional higher level topics

  • A.8 Superconducting metals and X-ray crystallography
  • A.9 Condensation polymers
  • A.10 Environmental impact-heavy metals

Option B - Biochemistry Core topics

  • B.1 Introduction to biochemistry
  • B.2 Proteins and enzymes
  • B.3 Lipids
  • B.4 Carbohydrates
  • B.5 Vitamins
  • B.6 Biochemistry and the environment

Additional higher level topics

  • B.7 Proteins and enzymes
  • B.8 Nucleic acids
  • B.9 Biological pigments
  • B.10 Stereochemistry in biomolecules

Option C - Energy Core topics

  • C.1 Energy sources
  • C.2 Fossil fuels
  • C.3 Nuclear fusion and fission
  • C.4 Solar energy
  • C.5 Environmental impact-global warming

Additional higher level topics

  • C.6 Electrochemistry, rechargeable batteries and fuel cells
  • C.7 Nuclear fusion and nuclear fission
  • C.8 Photovoltaic and dye-sensitized solar cells

Option D - Medicinal chemistry Core topics

  • D.1 Pharmaceutical products and drug action
  • D.2 Aspirin and penicillin
  • D.3 Opiates
  • D.4 pH regulation of the stomach
  • D.5 Anti-viral medications
  • D.6 Environmental impact of some medications

Additional higher level topics

  • D.7 Taxol-a chiral auxiliary case study
  • D.8 Nuclear medicine
  • D.9 Drug detection and analysis

Practical assessment 2016

All syllabus materials reproduced in this book are copyright of the original publisher of the guide to Chemistry, © International Baccalaureate Organization 2016. This material may be copied for personal study use only.