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Upper St. Clair School District

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DP Curriculum

International curriculum planners seek to ensure that the organization's educational aims are embodied in the structure and content of the program itself. The diploma is displayed in the shape of a hexagon with six academic areas surrounding the core. Subjects are studied concurrently, and students are exposed to the two great traditions of learning: the humanities and the sciences. Diploma candidates are required to select one subject from each of the six subject groups. At least three, and not more than four, are taken at higher level (HL), the others at standard level (SL). HL courses represent 240 teaching hours; SL courses cover 150 hours. By arranging work in this fashion, students are able to explore some subjects in depth and some more broadly over the two-year period; this is a deliberate compromise between the early specialization preferred in some national systems and breadth found in others.

Distribution requirements ensure that the science-oriented student is challenged to learn a foreign language and that the natural linguist becomes familiar with laboratory procedures. While overall balance is maintained, flexibility in choosing higher level concentrations allows the student to pursue areas of personal interest and to meet special requirements from university entrance.  The following are the six subject areas and the courses IB offers to schools:

  • Language A-First language, including the study of selections from world literature

  • Language B, ab initio-Second modern language

  • Individuals and Societies-history, geography, economics, philosophy, psychology, social anthropology, business and organization, and information technology in a global society

  • Experimental Sciences-biology, chemistry, physics, environmental systems, design technology

  • Mathematics-Mathematics HL, advanced mathematics SL, mathematical studies, mathematical methods

  • Arts and Electives-Art/design, music, theatre arts, Latin, classical Greek, computer science, a third modern language, a second subject from group 3 or group 4, advanced mathematics SL, a school-based syllabus approved by the IBO

IB DIPLOMA COURSES OFFERED AT USCHS:

Group 1:  Language A      

  • IB English Literature HL  (2 years)  

Group 2:  Language B      

  • IB French 4 and 5 HL or SL  (2 years)
  • IB German 4 and 5 HL or SL (2 years)
  • IB Spanish 4 and 5 HL or SL (2 years)

Group 3:  Individuals and Societies       

  • IB History of the Americas HL (2 years)  
  • IB Economics  SL  (1 year)
  • IB Psychology SL  (1 year)
  • IB Environmental Systems and Societies (1 year)

Group 4:  Experimental Sciences           

  • IB Physics HL  (2 years)
  • IB Physics SL  (2 year) 
  • IB Computer Science (1 year; offered every other year)
  • IB Environmental Systems and Societies (1 year)

Group 5:  Mathematics     

  • IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches HL  (2 years)
  • IB Mathematics Analysis and Approaches SL  (2 years) 

Group 6:  The Arts     

  • IB Visual Arts HL  (2 years)
  • IB Visual Arts SL   (1 year)

Theory of Knowledge 

  • Year 1: semester 2
  • Year 2:  semester 1