Overview of the Programme
The Academic Subjects
All students must study a range of six subjects, one from each group in the IB Diploma Curriculum. For Diploma students three of these subjects must be taken at a Higher Level and three are taken at Standard Level. Course offerings for 2005 - 2007 are set out in the six groups below. Expanded descriptions of each subject are given in separate sections. Please note that this does not guarantee that all courses will run. All courses are available at both Higher and Standard Level unless annotated with the following codes: HL = Higher Level, SL = Standard Level.
Click on the group to learn more about the subjects listed:
GROUP1 Language A English A1, Self-Taught SL.
GROUP 2 Languages A2 and B English A2, French B, Kiswahili B, Spanish B, Ab Initio Kiswahili SL & Ab Initio Spanish SL.
GROUP 3 Individuals and Societies History, Economics, Geography
GROUP 4 Experimental Sciences Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design Technology
GROUP 5 Mathematics Mathematics HL, Mathematics SL, Mathematical Studies SL.
GROUP 6 Electives Visual Arts, Theatre Arts, Computer Science, or a second subject from groups 2, 3 or 4.
The Extended Essay.
The Extended Essay (compulsory for IB Diploma students only) is an independent research paper of approximately 4000 words in one of the subjects of the IB curriculum. Each student chooses a supervisor from the school's teaching staff who will assist and advise with the planning, development and completion of the essay. The Extended Essay provides an excellent preparation for the kind of work required at many colleges and universities. Essays are assessed by an external examiner.
Theory of Knowledge.
TOK is a required course, which focuses on developing skills of critical analysis and thought. In the course each student examines various ways of knowing, including perception, emotion, language, and reasoning and various areas of knowledge, including the arts, mathematics, history, ethics, natural science and human science. At the forefront of discussions and class activities will be the central questions:
¨ How do we know this is true?
¨ What are the problems of knowledge?
¨ What are the links between different knowledge bases?
CREATIVITY, ACTION and SERVICE (CAS).
All students participate in CAS activities for 3 – 4 hours per week for the first four terms of their IB course.
CAS aims to challenge and extend a student by developing a spirit of discovery, self-reliance, as well as additional skills and interests.
All students during the IB years are required to participate in at least one Community Service project and an afternoon activity or personally arranged activity. (Often, IB students initiate their own activities or events that can also form part of their CAS programme.)
CAS is an integral part of the IB Programme at IST, the benefits of which stay with students far beyond their two years at IST.
Click here to find out more about community service
Health and Social Education .
Health and Socail Education within the IB years is often determined by current student interests and world issues. The majority of the time is spent in preparation for further education with units on the college/university applications process, interview techniques, college life, and preparation for the SAT and TOEFL examinations...click here for more details
Physical Education.
There is also an optional IB1 class offered for the full school year, which involves students working towards their Bronze Medallion in Lifesaving, First Aid and Sports Leaders Award with the addition of various sporting activities...click here for more details.
