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:
- Populations in transition
 - Disparities in wealth and development
 - Patterns in environmental quality and sustainability
 - Patterns in resource consumption
 
Optional Themes - Part 2 (SL/HL)
At standard level 2 options must be studied, at higher level 3 are required.
- B. Oceans and their coastal margins
 
- D. Hazards and disasters - risk assessment and response
 
- E. Leisure, sport and tourism
 
- F. The geography of food and health
 
Extension Themes - Part 3 - Global Interactions (HL)
- Measuring global interactions
 - Changing space - the shrinking world
 - Economic interactions and flows
 - Environmental change
 - Social-cultural exchanges
 - Political outcomes
 - Global interactions at the local level