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.

Environmental Systems and Societies is a subject for the future as it allows students to develop a clearer understanding about the state of our environment and the positive role they can play on its sustainability.

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

The topics studied cover:

• Environmental value systems
• Ecosystems; conservation and biodiversity
• Aquatic and land food production
• Human population, carrying capacity and resource use
• Climate change and the energy production

A combination of book and practical word are used to teach this subject.

Assessment

The final grade will be based on the examination grade (80%) and internal assessment (20%).