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IB2016-17

AT BIRKERØD GYMNASIUM

1. The SubjectsThere are 6 main groups from each of which one subject must be chosen. Each subject has two levels: HL (higher level) and SL (standard level). It is required that 3 subjects are studied at HL and 3 at SL. All subjects run over the 2 years and end with a written exam, consisting of 2 or 3 papers, and oral exams, depending on the subject. The final grade is made up

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IB DIPLOMA PROGRAMME

The 2-year IB Diploma Programme consists

of two main elements:

IB AT BIRKERØD GYMNASIUM

of the marks for the written exams, which are graded by external examiners, plus an Internal Assessment given by the teacher on the basis of various activities during the two years. The Internal Assessment is moderated by an external moderator.

2. The Core - three elementsA / Theory of Knowledge which is a theoretical/philosophical subject compulsory for all IB students. There is no exam, but each student must do an internal presentation and write an essay which is marked by an external examiner.

Birkerød Gymnasium, HF, IB & Boarding School has been an IB World School since 1991, offering the upper secondary IB Diploma Programme to 16 to 19-year-old Danish and foreign students. The mixture of many nationalities gives the school a unique international atmosphere in which not only English and Danish are spoken, but also a number of other tongues. Events during the year, such as our Global Cultural Fair and BIGMUN, a Model United Nations conference hosted at Birkerød Gymnasium with participants from a number of different countries, add to the global feeling.

The IB Diploma Programme is a rigorous and demanding education which prepares the students for university. The programme is focused on not only teaching academic skills in a number of subjects but also teaching the students to become life-long learners with an international mindset and a feeling of responsibility towards the local and global commu-nity. Birkerød is a Danish national school, situated a mere 25-minute train ride away from the centre of Copenhagen. The school accommodates approximately 1,100 students in two national programmes and the IB Diploma Programme. With approximately 240 Pre-IB and IB students we are one of the biggest IB World Schools in Denmark. The school is run on democratic principles with the emphasis on active student participation, influence and responsibility. We want a school where obligations and rights go hand in hand, a school where argumentation and dialogue prevail over authority.

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B / The Extended Essay which the students write in a subject oftheir choice. The extended essay is a 4000-word paper which is also externally marked. The TOK essay and the extended essay count towards the final exam as they may be awarded up to 3 bonus points in all.

C / Creativity, Action and Service which is called CAS. Over the two years each student has to do 150 hours of CAS, equally spread out on the three disciplines. They have to write a report on how these activities have developed their personalities.

1. Language A This is the student’s mother tongue or best language. We teach English and Danish, but if a student has another mother tongue, it is possible to study that as “self-taught”. In the subject Literature A (Danish, English and self-taught) literature is the most important part. Language and grammar are only taught insofar as they are relevant to the interpretation of the texts. In Language and Litera-ture A (only for English) both literary works and a variety of non-literary sources, genres and media are studied.

2. Language B The subjects in this group are second or foreign languages. We offer: Danish B, English B and French B, all pre-dominantly linguistic in nature. The emphasis is on being able to

communicate in everyday situations and on getting a feeling for the culture of the countries where the language is spoken. At higher level two literary works are studied. Furthermore, we offer Spanish at beginner’s level.

3. Individuals and SocietiesWe offer four subjects: History, which concentrates primarily on the 20th century: the consequences of the World Wars and the development of the big international organisations. Geography, which puts special emphasis on cultural aspects, environment and resources. Business & Management, which is the rigorous and critical study of the ways in which individuals and groups interact in a dynamic business environment. Economics, which focuses on economics at a national and international level

IB SUBJECTSNormally, the student must choose one subject from each of the following 6 groups, 3 at higher level and 3 at standard level:

e.g. competitive markets, government intervention and economic policies.

4. Experimental SciencesWe offer four subjects: Biology, whose core topics are cells, biochemistry, genetics, health, and physiology. Phys-ics, whose core topics are mechanics, waves, electricity and atomic and nuclear physics. Chemistry, which looks at the everyday perspective within atomic theories, acid/base, organic chemistry etc. Experiments play a very important part in all three subjects. In all of them a “Group 4 project” - an extensive interdiscipli-nary report - must be prepared. Furthermore, we offer Environmental Systems and Societies - a subject that can function as a Group 3 or Group 4 subject. It focuses on environmental issues.

5. Mathematics At Birkerød Gymnasium mathematics is offered at three levels (HL, SL and Studies SL), all covering areas such as algebra, geometry, calculus, probabil-

ity and statistics. The highest level (HL) is very challenging and meant for students who want to continue with the study of mathematics and related subjects. In contrast to this, the third level (Studies SL) is designed to build confidence and encourage an appre-ciation of mathematical concepts in students who do not anticipate a need for mathematics in their future studies.

6. Visual Arts There are two sides to this non-com-pulsury subject: Art Practice which emphasises the artistic and aesthetic skills, and Analytic Evaluation which focuses on the student’s ability to understand and analyse the various forms of art and express that under-standing in written form. Instead of Visual Arts it is possible to choose one more subject from either group 1, 2, 3 or 4.

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kBIRKERØD GYMNASIUM HF, IB & KOSTSKOLE Søndervangen 56 DK-3460 Birkerød Denmark

T: +45 45 16 82 20 E: mail@birke-gym.dk www.birke-gym.dk

THE IB OFFICET: +45 45 16 82 61F: +45 45 16 82 21ib@birke-gym.dk