IB subjects and studies

Lessons at IB include discussions, debates and addresses on the topics at hand. Their aim is to teach students to think for themselves and to think critically. Students familiarise themselves with literature, while at the same time acquiring the all-round education needed in our ever more international world. The lessons also help students to learn about foreign cultures and transport them to the core of Finnish culture. IB’s Finnish lessons also teach students to become good writers and confident performers. In a small and familiar group, everyone has the opportunity to participate and learn through doing.

Course aims to introduce students to a range of texts from different periods, styles and genres. Students learn to understand how language, culture and context determine the ways in which meaning is constructed in texts. The course develops in students the ability to engage in close, detailed analysis of individual texts. It also develops the students’ powers of expression, both in oral and written communication.

Courses are intended for beginners who have not studied Spanish before. The main object is for students to learn the basic structures of the spanish language and get to know the Spanish-speaking culture. Other important object in the courses is to emphasize students’ oral skills. After completing the Spanish ab initio courses students are able to communicate easily in different situations both in writing and in oral. They are well qualified to continue their Spanish studies independently.

Fossil fuels are running out (in addition to causing severe climate change), there is a shortage of fresh water and some people go hungry. At the same time, the number of billionaires is increasing. How can this be? The amount of resources on our planet is limited. However, our needs and wants seem unlimited. How do markets and governments resolve the problem of allocating scarce resources among competing demands? This is a question of both efficiency and equity. Economics gives you the tools to understand  how the material aspects of human life are resolved in a local and global economy.   

George Santayana has said: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” In IB history courses, we don’t just study history, but also analyse the reasons and consequences of events, learn to critically evaluate various sources and familiarise ourselves with wars, mad dictators and events that have changed the world. IB school offers students who are interested in history the opportunity to study even broad subject fields comprehensively and in detail.

Psychology is a subject for those who are interested in people – themselves and others. Psychology studies human behaviour and the way the human mind works in a scientific way. Nowadays, it is needed in all walks of life, in professions as well as private life. IB Psychology studies include many intriguing questions e.g. How do antidepressants affect the brain? Can we trust eyewitness testimonies? Why people join cults?

The starting point for teaching biology is to give students the opportunity to build a scientific world view which includes knowledge about their own bodies and the organic phenomena that influence our planet. The studies include basic information about human physiology, genetics and cellular functions. Larger theoretical study entities comprise the theory of evolution and the operational foundations of ecology. In addition to lessons, teaching involves field and laboratory work and visits. In comparison to the working methods of standard upper secondary schools, the biology lessons at IB schools are a step closer to university teaching, in order to better prepare students for further study, for example, in the field of health care.

Chemistry studies provide good basic knowledge for further studies, for example, in the fields of science, technology, nursing and the food industry. An essential part of IB’s chemistry studies is laboratory work and, on average, one laboratory lesson per week is included. Excursions to a university and companies and bureaus working within the field are also incorporated.

Are you interested in the world around you and the phenomena in it? Why does a cold bottle of pop sweat in hot weather and how does a mobile phone work? These and many more questions you may have thought about will be answered during our physics lessons. Come and study physics at the IB World School! Examining phenomena and performing experiments yourself are a central part of studying at IB. These activities bring variety and make studying much more interesting than physics studies at a standard upper secondary school. Studying physics at an upper secondary level school, such as the IB school, is also a rerequisite if you want to become a physicist, engineer or, let’s say, a doctor. Completing our physics courses successfully only requires moderate basic knowledge about physics and mathematics, because good study motivation and endless curiosity are the most important ingredients for studying physics.

Mathematics is required by both artists when considering perspectives and scientists when performing research. The four choices of IB mathematics are sure to provide a suitable level for all students. The choice is influenced by your abilities and interest, as well as your plans for future studies. The more theoretical mathematics offers an excellent level of knowledge and skills for further studies in, for example, physics, mathematics and technology. For those interested in mathematics, this course offers plenty of new information and more in-depth skills in mathematics. The more applied math course offers good skills for studying, for example, chemistry, psychology and economics.

TOK exercises students’ critical thinking and conversational skills. Students examine the nature of knowledge and criteria for the trustworthiness of knowledge in different fields and media - a highly important skill in our time. Students are also encouraged to appreciate different cultural views on knowledge. Topics are approached through practical examples and students' own experiences and views. 

The 100 teaching hours of Theory of Knowledge are divided throughout the two Diploma years.

During the Creativity, Action and Service programme students engage in activities they are interested in, involving creativity, physical exercise and service activities. The programme offers them an opportunity for experiential learning and individual growth. Its target is to facilitate the development of students’ personality and finding their personal strengths. In CAS, you can make good use of your familiar hobbies or try something completely new. CAS activities usually take place outside of school, and students are expected to be involved in them for approximately three hours per week. A CAS supervisor organises and monitors the activities.

EE is a paper of 4,000 words, planned and implemented by students themselves, on a subject taught at IB. Students are free to choose the subject and theme, and the teacher of the subject in question tutors the writing process. In general, scientific experiments and data acquisition are valued in all experimental and social sciences: for example, an EE in chemistry involves chemical experiments and, in history, interviews. You can earn “bonus points” for your Diploma with the grade of your EE.