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%).