SRC: General Information
Student Resource Center
The USA Biolympiad (USABO) Open, Semifinal, and National Exams are based on the format of the International Biology Olympiad (IBO) Theoretical Exam. To review the IBO guidelines, please visit the official IBO website at www.ibo-info.org . The Student Resource Center (SRC) is an area where you may obtain additional information on the USABO, resources, and links to content that can help you study for the exam.
Theoretical Exam Categories
Each of the seven topics is covered in the four exams: Open, Semifinal, Nationals, and IBO:
- Animal anatomy and physiology: 25%
- Cell Biology: 20%
- Genetics and Evolution: 20%
- Plant anatomy and physiology: 15%
- Ecology: 10%
- Ethology: 5%
- Biosystematics: 5%
- Bioinformatics (NEW)
USABO Official Textbook
Biology (8th edition or higher)
Authors: Neil A. Campbell, Jane B. Reece, Lisa A. Urry; Michael L. Cain; Steven A. Wasserman; Peter V. Minorsky; Robert B. Jackson
Publisher: Pearson Benjamin Cummings
Copyright Year: 2008
Publishing Date: 2007/11/27
eText ISBN-10: 0-321-55085-4
eText ISBN-13: 978-0-321-55085-9
Print ISBN-10: 0-8053-6844-2
Print ISBN-13: 978-8053-6844-4
Course: Introductory Biology
Pages: 1393
2023 USABO Semifinal Exam Information
2023 USABO Semifinal Exam Histogram: click here
Summer Internships
SAT/ACT Prep Guidelines and Tips: 54 Medical Programs for High School Students + Advice.
Pathways to Science (http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/K12.aspx) : Programs and Scholarships, Resource Toolbox for Applying, Preparing and Applying for College and Careers in STEM. Site also includes Partners Directory and Webinars.
DoD STEM Internships: http://www.dodstem.us/stem-programs/internships.
NIH Biomedical Research: https://www.training.nih.gov/programs/sip.
Supplemental Online Courses
The USABO does not endorse any of the following materials or courses. They are intended as supplemental resources to be used at the discretion of the user.
MIT ONline STEM Concept VIdeos: The STEM Concept Videos, produced by the Teaching and Learning Laboratory, are designed to help students learn pivotal concepts in science, technology, engineering, and/or mathematics (STEM). Each video is part of a series that represents a cross-cutting theme in the courses that typically appear in first- and second-year engineering curricula (i.e., physics, mathematics, chemistry, biology). The STEM Concept Videos were originally produced for and funded by the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD). SUTD refers to these videos as Concept Vignettes. These videos are also available for viewing and download on the MIT OpenCourseWare site.