• IB-Environmental Systems and Societies

    email: jdelair@ktufsd.org
    phone: 874-8401 x21421
     
    Overview:
     
    As a trans-disciplinary subject, environmental systems and societies is designed to combine the techniques and knowledge associated with group 4 (the experimental sciences) with those associated with group 3 (individuals and societies).  By choosing to study a trans-disciplinary course such as this as part of their diploma, students are able to satisfy the requirements for both groups 3 and 4 of the hexagon, thus allowing them to choose another subject from any hexagon group (including another group 3 or 4 subject).  Trans-disciplinary subjects therefore introduce more flexibility into the IB Diploma Programme.  The environmental systems and societies course is offered at the standard level only.

    The primary intent of this course is to provide students with a coherent perspective of the interrelationships between environmental systems and societies; one that enables them to adopt an informed personal response to the wide range of pressing environmental issues that they will inevitably come to face.  Students' attention can be constantly drawn to their own relationship with their environment ant the significance of choices and decisions that they make in their own lives.  It is intended that students develop a sound understanding of the interrelationships between the environmental systems and societies, rather than a purely journalistic appreciation of environmental issues.  The teaching approach therefore needs to be conducive to students evaluating the scientific, ethical, and socio-political aspects of issues.

    Prior learning:

    Students should be able to study this course successfully with no specific previous knowledge of science or geography.  However, as the course aims to foster an international perspective, awareness of local and global environmental concerns and understanding of the scientific method, a course that shares these aims would be good preparation.

    Mathematical requirements:
    • perform the basic mathematical functions: addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division
    • use simple descriptive statistics: mean, median, mode, range, frequency, percentages, ratios, approximations, and reciprocals
    • use standard notation
    • use direct and inverse proportion
    • interpret frequency data in the form of bar charts, column graphs and histograms, and interpret pie charts
    • understand the significance of the standard deviation of a set of data
    • plot and sketch graphs (with suitable scales and axes)
    • interpret graphs, including the significance of gradients, changes in gradients, intercepts and areas
    • demonstrate sufficient knowledge of probability (for example, in assessing risks in environmental impact.
Last Modified on February 23, 2015