Grade 11/12 IB vs. Ontario Academic STEM Curriculum Explained

Comparing Ontario’s Grade 11 & Grade 12 STEM curriculum with the IB Diploma Programme (DP) shows a lot of overlap, but there are a few key differences. Here’s a breakdown by subject:

🔬 SCIENCE (Biology, Chemistry, Physics)

🧪 Chemistry

• Covered in IB: Stoichiometry, atomic structure, bonding, kinetics, equilibrium, acids/bases, redox, organic, thermochemistry, spectroscopy.
• Missing in IB (compared to Ontario):
  • Environmental Chemistry (found in Ontario’s SCH3U)
  • More emphasis on qualitative lab skills in Ontario (e.g., traditional titration labs)

Verdict: Almost everything in Ontario Chemistry is covered in IB HL/SL Chem — IB tends to go deeper.

🔬 Physics

• Covered in IB: Kinematics, forces, energy, momentum, circular motion, gravitation, electricity & magnetism, waves, modern physics (quantum, nuclear).
• Ontario Extras:
  • Ontario Grade 12 Physics (SPH4U) includes more engineering-style applications like mechanical systems, AC vs DC circuits, and fluid dynamics.
  • IB may not go into sound-level calculations or fluid statics (depending on options chosen).

Verdict: IB is broader and more theoretical, Ontario can be more applied in Grade 12.

🧬 Biology

• IB Bio HL/SL covers: cells, genetics, ecology, evolution, physiology, molecular bio.
• Ontario Extras:
  • Grade 12 Bio (SBI4U) has more anatomy/physiology, like homeostasis, human systems, and diseases.
  • IB may touch these but not as deeply unless student does an IA or option topic.

Verdict: Ontario emphasizes anatomy more, IB focuses more on molecular biology and global concepts.

📐 MATH

🧮 Functions, Calculus, Data Management (Ontario)

Ontario splits Grade 11-12 math into three separate streams:

• Functions (MCR3U/MHF4U)
• Calculus & Vectors (MCV4U)
• Data Management (MDM4U)

IB Comparison:

Verdict: IB AA HL includes most of Ontario’s university prep math, but Data Management is best represented in IB AI HL/SL. Calculus & Vectors is fully covered in IB AA HL, but not fully in SL or AI.

🧠 COMPUTER SCIENCE

• Ontario ICS3U/4U (Grade 11/12 Comp Sci) covers: algorithms, data structures, object-oriented programming, GUI, recursion.
• IB Computer Science HL/SL also covers these, plus databases, networks, system fundamentals, and has a Group 4 Project.

Verdict: IB does cover CS, but it’s not mandatory for all students. In Ontario, it’s optional too. IB HL may go deeper, but Ontario’s ICS4U is more programming-focused.

✅ SUMMARY

If you’re helping students bridge between systems (e.g., IB → Ontario or vice versa), I can help design review materials to fill the gaps. Let me know!