From Science to the Arts: Diverse IB Extended Essay Topic Ideas

Embarking on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Extended Essay subjects is a pivotal moment in any student’s academic career. This endeavor offers a chance to investigate a topic of interest and hone research skills that pave the way for university-level scholarship.

Selecting from various good extended essay topics enables students to delve deeply into subjects ranging from English literature to economics, biology, and beyond. The following guide is designed to inspire and assist in pinpointing a topic that sparks intrigue and meets the rigorous criteria of the IB curriculum. With careful consideration and strategic planning, the extended essay ideas become a stepping stone to academic and personal growth.

Proper Way to Start Your IB Extended Essay

Initiating IB Extended Essay topics begins with identifying your academic passion, a process that should be immersive and introspective, ensuring genuine interest and enthusiasm for the subject chosen. This process should involve comprehensive reflection on the EE subjects that resonate most deeply with you, tapping into your curiosity and academic strengths.

• Once you’ve pinpointed your area of interest, conduct preliminary research to ensure there is a wealth of resources available, which is crucial for constructing a well-supported argument.
• Seek primary and secondary sources that will provide a solid foundation for your claims and analyses. 
• Next, formulate a clear, focused research question for English extended essay topics – a beacon to guide your scholarly journey, ensuring that it aligns with the objectives of the curriculum and your academic goals.
• Remember, the best-extended essays are those that display a personal connection to the topic, combined with a methodical approach to exploration and discovery, showcasing your ability to engage with complex ideas critically and creatively.

List of IB EE Topics

Pick extended essay topic ideas that challenge and interest you, from exploring the symbolism in classic English literature to analyzing the impact of economic policies on global markets or investigating the ethical implications of genetic editing in biology.

Anthropology Topics

1. Cultural Implications of Indigenous Language Revival
2. Matrilineal Societies and Their Social Structures
3. Rituals of Passage in Sub-Saharan African Tribes
4. The Social Impact of Diasporas on Homeland Cultures
5. Urbanization and Its Effect on Traditional Kinship Ties
6. Influence of Digital Media on the Preservation of Endangered Languages
7. Changing Family Dynamics in Rapidly Urbanizing Southeast Asian Communities

Biology EE Topics

1. CRISPR and the Future of Genetic Disease Prevention
2. Symbiotic Relationships in the Amazon Rainforest
3. Marine Conservation Efforts and Biodiversity
4. Neuroplasticity: The Brain’s Ability to Adapt and Heal
5. The Role of Biotechnology in Sustainable Agriculture
6. Exploring the Secrets of Deep-Sea Ecosystems: Unknown Life Forms and Adaptations
7. Advancements in Bioinformatics: Decoding Complex Genetic Information

Business & Management Topics

1. Entrepreneurial Strategies in the Digital Age
2. Corporate Ethics and Social Responsibility
3. The Global Impact of Cross-Cultural Leadership Styles
4. Sustainable Business Models for the 21st Century
5. Consumer Data Analytics and Business Decision-Making
6. Innovations in Supply Chain Management for Environmental Sustainability
7. Harnessing the Power of Social Media for Brand Building and Customer Engagement

Chemistry Topics

1. Advancements in Green Chemistry and Sustainable Practices
2. The Chemistry of Emotions: Neurotransmitters and Mood
3. Nanotechnology in Drug Delivery Systems
4. The Role of Catalysis in Industrial Organic Reactions
5. Chemical Sensors and Their Environmental Applications
6. Exploring the Frontiers of Quantum Chemistry: Applications and Challenges
7. Synthetic Biology and the Creation of New Biochemical Pathways

Computer Science Topics

1. The Evolution of Quantum Computing
2. Ethical Hacking: Security Measures and Protocols
3. Artificial Intelligence in Personalized Learning
4. Blockchain Beyond Cryptocurrency
5. Virtual Reality: The New Frontier in User Experience
6. Machine Learning Algorithms in Predictive Healthcare Analytics”
7. The Internet of Things (IoT): Transforming Everyday Life with Smart Technology

Economics Extended Essay Topics

1. The Gig Economy and Labor Markets
2. Behavioral Economics in Policy Making
3. Cryptocurrencies: Market Trends and Economic Impact
4. The Economics of Climate Change Adaptation
5. Globalization and Local Economies: A Balancing Act
6. Rising Income Inequality: Causes and Consequences in Developed Economies
7. The Role of Microfinance in Empowering Developing Communities

Geography Topics

1. Urban Sprawl and Sustainable City Planning
2. Climate Change and Coastal Erosion Patterns
3. The Geopolitics of Water Resources
4. Cultural Landscapes and Geographical Identity
5. Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in Disaster Management
6. Migration Patterns and Their Impact on Urban Development
7. Renewable Energy Landscapes: Geographical Implications and Opportunities
8. The Dynamics of Desertification: Causes, Effects, and Mitigation Strategies

Health & Nutrition Topics

1. The Impact of Microbiomes on Human Health
2. Nutritional Psychology: Food and Mood
3. Public Health Strategies in Pandemic Prevention
4. The Science of Sports Nutrition and Athletic Performance
5. Integrative Approaches to Chronic Disease Management
6. Advancements in Personalized Medicine: Tailoring Treatment to Genetic Profiles
7. Exploring the Relationship Between Sleep and Nutritional Health
8. The Role of Plant-Based Diets in Disease Prevention and Longevity

History Extended Essay Topics

1. The Influence of the Silk Road on Ancient Trade
2. Decolonization and National Identity in Africa
3. Women’s Suffrage Movements Across Cultures
4. The Historical Impact of Pandemics on Societal Change
5. The Evolution of Espionage in International Relations
6. Exploring the Cultural Exchange during the Crusades
7. The Industrial Revolution: Its Global Effects and Legacies
8. Rise and Fall of Empires in South America: Inca and Aztec Civilizations

Literature Topics

1. The Role of Antiheroes in Modern Literature
2. Postcolonial Voices in Contemporary Fiction
3. Magical Realism as a Literary Device
4. The Bildungsroman Genre: A Cross-Cultural Examination
5. Dystopian Narratives as Social Critique
6. Exploring the Renaissance in Literature: Innovation and Influence
7. Satire and Irony in 20th-Century Political Novels
8. Narratives of Exile: Identity and Belonging in Diasporic Literature
9. The Intersection of Technology and Fiction in Cyberpunk Literature

Mathematics Topics

1. The Application of Game Theory in Economics
2. Fractals: The Patterns of Chaos Theory
3. Cryptography: The Mathematics of Secrecy
4. Mathematical Models in Epidemiology
5. The Role of Probability in Decision-Making
6. Exploring the Fourth Dimension: Hypercubes and Beyond
7. Graph Theory and its Applications in Network Analysis
8. The Beauty and Complexity of Mandelbrot Sets
9. Optimization Algorithms: From Linear Programming to Machine Learning

Media Studies Topics

1. The Influence of Social Media on Political Campaigns
2. Media Literacy and Critical Thinking
3. Representation of Minorities in Film and Television
4. The Ethics of Journalism in the Digital Era
5. Virtual Influencers and the Future of Advertising
6. The Evolution of Documentary Filmmaking and its Impact on Society
7. Analyzing the Role of Music Videos in Popular Culture
8. The Dynamics of Celebrity Culture and Fan Communities in the Digital Age
9. Reality TV: Effects on Public Perception and Social Norms

Music Topics

1. The Evolution of Electronic Music Genres
2. Music Therapy and its Psychological Impacts
3. The Cultural Significance of Folk Music Traditions
4. Censorship in Music: A Historical Overview
5. The Role of Music in Social Movements

Philosophy Topics

1. The Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
2. Existentialism in the 21st Century
3. The Philosophy of Language and Meaning
4. The Intersection of Philosophy and Virtual Reality
5. Eastern Philosophies and Western Culture
6. Analyzing the Concept of Free Will in Modern Thought
7. The Role of Skepticism in Shaping Scientific Understanding
8. Feminist Philosophy: Reexamining Historical and Contemporary Views

Physics Topics

1. The Search for Dark Matter and Dark Energy
2. The Physics of Climate Change
3. The Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics
4. Astrophysics: Unraveling the Mysteries of the Universe
5. The Role of Physics in Renewable Energy Technologies

Politics Topics

1. The Rise of Populism in the 21st Century
2. Cybersecurity and Statecraft
3. The Impact of Lobbying on Public Policy
4. Nationalism and Globalization: An Analysis
5. Political Campaign Finance and Ethics
6. Environmental Policy and Green Politics in Modern Governance
7. The Role of Social Media in Grassroots Movements
8. Comparative Analysis of Healthcare Systems in Political Contexts

Psychology EE Topics

1. The Psychology Behind Consumer Behavior
2. Mental Health Stigma in Different Cultures
3. The Impact of Technology on Attention Spans
4. Childhood Development and Play Therapy
5. The Role of Psychology in Criminal Profiling
6. Exploring the Psychological Effects of Social Isolation
7. Dream Analysis: Understanding the Subconscious Mind
8. Cognitive Biases and Decision-Making Processes

Sociology Topics

1. Social Networks and Community Dynamics
2. Gender Roles in the 21st Century
3. The Sociology of Urban Spaces
4. Social Implications of Mass Incarceration
5. The Influence of Culture on Education
6. The Changing Landscape of Work and its Societal Impact
7. Youth Subcultures and Identity Formation in Different Societies
8. The Role of Religion in Contemporary Social Structures

Extended Essay IB topics on Visual Arts Topics

1. Street Art and Urban Identity
2. The Role of Digital Media in Contemporary Art
3. The Intersection of Art and Technology
4. Art Censorship: A Global Perspective
5. The Influence of Art Movements on Social Change

World Religion Studies Topics

1. The Role of Religion in Conflict Resolution
2. Secularism and Spirituality in Modern Societies
3. Religious Symbolism and Art
4. Interfaith Dialogue and Peacebuilding
5. The Impact of Religious Movements on Political Systems
6. Mysticism and Transcendental Experiences in Various Religious Traditions
7. The Evolution of Religious Practices in Indigenous Cultures
8. Religion and Ethics: Navigating Moral Dilemmas in a Globalized World
9. The Influence of Eastern Religions on Western Thought and Culture