International Baccalaureate: Design & Technology
Course Content
The course focuses on the contribution to society made by product designers and engineers. Understanding of the way in which materials can be processed and manipulated will be enhanced through small practical assignments. A range of graphical techniques will also be taught so that pupils are better able to take on the role of designers.
The content for both the Standard and Higher Level will be similar with Higher Level students studying additional topics. Standard Level students will attend 5 lessons per fortnight, Higher Level students will attend 9 lessons per fortnight.
At the end of Year 12 there is a collaborative project with other subject students from Group 4 (Experimental Sciences), the duration of which is two weeks.
There is a design and make practical assignment in year 13 (the Design Project), common to both Standard and Higher Level students, with the expectation that Higher Level students tackle a more demanding, complex problem.
3 written papers: Paper 1 multiple choice
Paper 2 short-answer questions
Paper 3 short-answer questions
Practical Investigations related to the subject content
Students should have completed a GCSE Design and Technology course, achieving grade B or above.
Although Design and Technology features in the Experimental Sciences group, it is ideally suited to students with an artistic bias who wish to gain an understanding of how products are designed.
University & Career Prospects
Students who study Design & Technology will find a wide range of courses and job opportunities available to them. Universities are looking for applicants who have a diverse range of experiences. Design Degree Courses usually require that students have completed a one year Foundation Course in Art / Design. Both Degree courses and Foundation courses will demand a portfolio of student’s design work for the interview The IB course is a perfect opportunity for building up such a portfolio.
Career opportunities are diverse: engineering, architecture, product/industrial design, furniture design, jewellery design, interior design and many others.
Subject Content – Standard Level
Designers and the design cycle:
Responsibility of the designer:
Manufacturing processes and techniques:
Clean technology and green design:
Raw materials to final product:
All the topics in standard level are covered, with the addition of:
Microstructures and macrostructures: