IB Environmental Systems and Societies
LENGTH: Two years
KEY CONTACT: Ryan Brown
COURSE CONTENT:
Environmental Systems and Societies (ESS) is an interdisciplinary course that combines scientific concepts and methodologies with a societal viewpoint to help students to understand the link between society and environment. Students develop an understanding that the connections between environmental systems and societies are diverse, varied and dynamic. The complexity of these interactions challenges those working towards understanding the actions required for effective guardianship of the planet and sustainable and equitable use of shared resources.
Because it is an interdisciplinary course, students can study ESS and have it recognised as either a group 3 or a group 4 selection. ESS is only available to be studied as a SL subject.
Topics:
- Foundations of environmental systems and societies
- Ecosystems and ecology
- Biodiversity and conservation
- Water and aquatic food production systems and societies
- Soil systems and terrestrial food production systems and societies
- Atmospheric systems and societies
- Climate change and energy production
- Human systems and resource use
ASSESSMENT:
Students will demonstrate their understanding through assessment in the following forms:
- Externally Moderated Examination
- Internal Investigation Report
- Formative learning tasks including practical reports, field work, presentations and research tasks.
- Semester examinations
SUBJECT COSTS:
All IB subjects incur an examination fee in the second year of the course in order to be externally assessed. The costing system is only applied to those that undertake the final examination, there is no cost to students who undertake the course for only one of two years.
Please note, costs vary slightly due to global exchange rates.
