About the International Biology Olympiad (IBO)

What is an Olympiad?

The International Biology Olympiad (IBO) is the annual World Championship Biology Competition for high school students. The first academic international Olympiads were launched under the auspices of the United Nations in the 1960's. The programs have expanded gradually to include over 50 participating countries across five continents. Currently, international academic Olympiads are held annually in mathematics, physics, chemistry, informatics, linguistics, astronomy and biology. The USA Biology Olympiad and the International Biology Olympiad award individual achievement in theoretical and laboratory biology knowledge.

Further information about academic Olympiads can be found by searching Math & Science Olympiads.

Who is on the U.S. Team?

IBO delegations consist of four students and two academic advisors.

Each member of “Team USA” receives an individual score. Students are awarded medals as individuals, not as a team.

What is it Like to Participate?

In their own words:

The experience was great, all packed into a week, with trips to the zoo and rainforest, intense competition, and most important of all, meeting fellow biology students from different cultures. Winning gold medals with my teammates makes the event all the more memorable.
-- 2004 National Finalist; IBO Gold Medalist

I suppose one word sums it up: Amazing. The whole thing was amazing. Only the people who were actually there know what I mean. Kelley, Kay, and Victor know what I mean. Meeting the people...being in a foreign country...obsessing over biological minutiae...learning about other cultures...it was amazing, truly amazing.
-- 2006 National Finalist; IBO Silver Medalist; Counselor

How are the IBO Winners Selected?

The IBO is six days plus the necessary travel days. Two days are devoted to testing, one day to the Opening Ceremonies and one day to Closing Ceremonies. The other days are filled with activities, excursions and independent study. Students will compete in both the theoretical and practical tasks, each of which lasts an average of four to six hours each day. Exams will be given in the student's native language (United States - English).

The Organizing Committee, which consists of the academic advisors from all participating countries, creates the two sets of tasks – the theoretical, knowledge-based exams and the practical, laboratory-based tasks/exams. All tasks are related to the official text book, Biology by Campbell and Reese.

The two scores - practical and theoretical - are aggregated. Participants in the top ten percent are awarded a gold medal, the following twenty percent are awarded a silver medal, and the next thirty percent are awarded a bronze medal. Approximately sixty percent of the IBO participants receive a medal. Please see the IBO guidelines for information.

Officially, there are no team scores at the IBO. However, the total number of medals awarded to each country will be tallied, announced and publicized. IBO medal winners do not receive a monetary awards or scholarships from the host country. The USA does not offer monetary awards or scholarships to its team members.

How do Students Join "Team USA" for the IBO?

Students are selected for the IBO based on their USABO National Finals performance. Students may be asked to participate in media appearances.

Students competing in the IBO are expected to study biology independently during the period between the USA Biology Olympiad National Finals and the IBO.

Where is the 2010 IBO?

The 2010 International Biology Olympiad will be held in Changwon, Korea July 11-18.