IB Geography

Students studying IB Geography are expected to be able to:

Images

• Interpret and analyse maps using latitude, longitude, direction, scale, grid references
• Interpret and (where appropriate) draw and annotate isoline, choropleth, flow, dot, topographic, and topological maps
• Interpret satellite and aerial photos and cross sections (cross profile)

Graphs

• Interpret and construct: line, pie, bar scatter, triangular, logarithmic and bi-polar graphs, flow charts, radial diagrams, population pyramids and Lorenz curves

Statistical tests and indices

• Interpret and calculate: total, mean, median, mode, frequency, range, density, percentage, ratio, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, chi squared test, nearest neighbour index, location quotient, diversity index, HDI, dependency ration and measures of spatial interaction (gravity models)

Research methods

• Observe and record information by: interviewing, draw a field sketch and taking photographs, measuring, judging, recording, classifying, describing trends, patterns and relationships in data, predicting, identifying anomalies, making decisions, concluding and evaluating research methods

Writing Skills

• Evaluate geographic information in terms of reliability, relevance, bias, and accuracy
• Synthesize information, respond appropriately to command terms and present a coherent argument
  

Table of Contents

Core Themes - Part 1 - Patterns and Change (SL/HL)

The four topics are compulsory:

1. Populations in transition
2. Disparities in wealth and development
3. Patterns in environmental quality and sustainability
4. Patterns in resource consumption

Optional Themes - Part 2 (SL/HL)

At standard level 2 options must be studied, at higher level 3 are required.

A. Freshwater - issues and conflicts

B. Oceans and their coastal margins

C. Extreme Environments

D. Hazards and disasters - risk assessment and response

E. Leisure, sport and tourism

F. The geography of food and health

H. Urban environments

Extension Themes - Part 3 - Global Interactions (HL)

1. Measuring global interactions
2. Changing space - the shrinking world
3. Economic interactions and flows
4. Environmental change
5. Social-cultural exchanges
6. Political outcomes
7. Global interactions at the local level