I’ve worked with many IB students over the years, and I always stress that the subjects you choose will affect your experience. That’s why you should be sure of what you agree to. As someone who has helped students write great IB Biology Extended Essays and seen what works and what doesn’t, I’ll give you my honest opinion in this piece.
What Are the Biology IB Extended Essay Requirements?
Make sure you know what to anticipate if you want to choose Biology as your IB Extended Essay subject. Biology is one of the more organized subjects, but it’s also one of the most satisfying if you follow the rules carefully. I know this from helping students write good EEs.
IB rules say your IB Biology Extended Essay must be based on a clear scientific topic. You should be able to do in-depth research and analysis on it, but not so narrow that you run out of things to talk about. The topic must also be related to the IB Biology curriculum, which means it must be associated with the main ideas and methods of the subject. Your essay has to be physically based, not just about general health or science trends.
Here is a short list of the most important things you should follow:
- Word count is up to 4,000 words (not counting the intro, references, and appendices).
- Your research question should be clear and directly connected to Biology.
- The next aspect is the scientific approach. Your essay needs to show how you think about biology, analyze data, and conduct research.
- Your essay doesn’t have to be a new groundbreaking work, but it should show that you thought about the subject critically and were interested in it.
- A clear structure with introduction, methodology, analysis, discussion, and conclusion.
- Always use the same scientific citation style. APA or MLA is popular for Biology, but the IB doesn’t require a certain one.
The focus on the scientific method is what distinguishes the IB Biology Extended Essay from other subjects. This entails developing a hypothesis or question, describing a method, and evaluating data rationally and evidence-based. An important factor is personal involvement as well. Explain your critical and ethical thinking process and why this topic is important to you.
Who Should Choose Biology as Their IB EE Subject?
Often, students ask me, “Is this subject too hard for me?” That’s a good question, and you should consider it before deciding. Biology IB Extended Essay is an excellent subject for some students, but it’s not the best choice for everyone. I know this from working with IB students every year.
This subject could be a good fit if you like to think scientifically, are good at lab work, or just love learning about how live things work. Students who enjoy asking “why” and “how” questions about the natural world will find it particularly appealing. Whether you want to learn more about how photosynthesis works or how enzymes work, the IB Biology EE lets you choose the topics that interest you the most.
That being said, Biology needs a certain way of thinking. You should pay attention to details, be comfortable with data, and be ready to change your plans if your experiment doesn’t go as planned (trust me, that happens a lot). Based on what I’ve seen, students who have trouble staying organized or don’t like working with factors, data charts, and mistakes analysis tend to do worse in this subject.
Here’s a quick way to find out if Biology fits with your EE:
- You are doing well in IB Biology right now, and you like the work you have to do.
- You are interested in living systems, processes, and research methods.
- You’re used to working in a lab or looking at large amounts of data.
- You are interested and don’t give up, even when things don’t go as planned.
This could be a great way to further your interest if you’re already doing well in IB Biology and asking more in-depth questions in class. If you’re picking Biology just to show off to colleges or because it seems like a safe choice, you should think again. Prestige is not nearly as important as interest and dedication. Pick a subject you’re excited to work on for months.
Is the IB Biology Extended Essay Hard?
To be honest, the IB Biology EE isn’t easy. But it’s also not the deathly nightmare that some students think it will be. Like many things in the IB, how hard it is relies on how you do it.
It’s not the biology that’s hard, but the amount of planning and focus needed. You need to come up with a clear research question, collect a lot of data (either through your tests or by looking at reliable external sources), figure out what the data means, and organize your findings in a way that follows the IB’s academic format. That does sound like a lot, but I’ve found that students who start early, make clear goals, and stick to a reasonable schedule are the ones who stay on track and write essays they’re proud of.
The problem I see most often? Experiments with too many parts. A lot of students start with big goals. I’ve seen students try to test five different kinds of plants in various settings, taking measures every day for several months. It’s no surprise that they get tired halfway through.
You don’t have to be hard to impress anyone. Pick out just one number instead. Make sure your design is clear, easy to use, and based on science. Then, you should focus on what’s important: figuring out what your results mean and how they relate to your research question.
Also, remember that not every student has access to a fully stocked lab, which is fine. Some of the best IB Biology Extended Essays I’ve graded were based on data sets that were already out there or on easy studies that students did at home. What matters most is not how fancy your tools are but how you use the scientific method.
Is it hard to write an EE in biology? Yes, it can be. Being careful with planning, staying organized, and asking for help when needed makes it much easier to handle. Many students tell me writing their IB Biology EE project taught them more than any other project in the scheme.
Types of IB Biology Extended Essays You Can Write
You don’t have to wear lab coats and use Petri dishes for all Biology essays. One reason I often suggest the IB Biology EE is that it gives students a choice of learning methods based on their skills, hobbies, and the tools they have access to. You may choose a format that suits your preferences, whether they lie more in academic research or hands-on experimentation.
Experimental Essays
Most of the time, these are the most interesting, especially if you like doing things with your hands. For experimental essays, you must plan and conduct your own field study or lab research. For instance, you could test how different levels of light affect plant growth, look into how bacteria can become resistant to natural medicines, or look into how enzymes work in different situations.
From what I’ve seen, this method works best for students who are comfortable working alone in a lab and who know how to manage variables and deal with results that were not expected.
Still, it’s not how hard the experiment is that matters most; it’s how well you plan it and how scientifically you can explain the results. Also, make sure you follow social rules, especially if your project involves human or animal interactions.
Don’t let the stress of the IB curriculum hold you back.
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Data-Based Essays
Not able to get to a lab? Don’t worry. Data-based essays are a great option that can be just as good, if not better if done correctly. In this manner, you look at data that already exists from trustworthy, peer-reviewed sources. Let’s say you’re interested in the loss of species worldwide. You could look at trends in species loss by using data from conservation studies or databases.
These essays are great for students who like to work with numbers, make graphs, and use statistical analysis. This type is often overlooked, but I think it’s a great way to show how analytical you are, especially if you can understand the data clearly and in a well-organized way.
Literature-Based Essays
When studying the topic directly is hard or impossible, this choice is good. The main point of literature-based essays is to analyze and summarize the results from science papers. You could, for instance, look at the latest progress in CRISPR gene editing or the effects of climate change on coral reef habitats.
You still need to be good at analysis for this style, even though it doesn’t use original studies or samples. One of the biggest mistakes I see students make here is just repeating what they’ve read. Instead, your essay should show how you analyzed, put together, and personally connected with the material.
Conclusion
The Biology IB Extended Essay subject is a good choice for curious students who are good at thinking critically and are willing to follow an organized research process. If you want to write an IB Biology Extended Essay and have questions that you’d like to get more information on, please get in touch with our expert IB writers.
