IB Group 3
Individuals and Societies
Environmental Systems and Societies
The Environmental Systems and Societies course is designed to combine the techniques and knowledge associated with Group 4 (Sciences) with those associated with Group 3 (Individuals and Societies). It is a course that can be used either as a Group 3 or a Group 4 subject choice. As such, it introduces more flexibility into the IB Diploma Programme. The Environmental Systems and Societies course is offered at Standard Level only.
The course is designed to:
- provide students with a coherent perspective of the interrelationships between environmental systems and societies
- adopt an informed personal response to the wide range of pressing environmental issues that students will inevitably come to face
- develop a sound understanding of the interrelationships between environmental systems and societies, rather than a purely journalistic appreciation of environmental issues
- enable students to evaluate the scientific, ethical and socio-political aspects of issues
Areas of Study
There are six topics which are studied in both the classroom and in hands-on work in the laboratory and/or out in the field.
- Systems and models
- The ecosystem
- Human population, carrying capacity and resource use
- Conservation and biodiversity
- Pollution management
- The issue of global warming
- Environmental value systems
Assessment
The final grade will be based on the examination grade (80%) and internal assessment (20%).
