5701y

Environmental Systems and Societies

Full Year / 1 Credit / Grade 11

Prerequisites:

C or better in 10th Grade Science (honors or regular)

Description:

This is the first year of a two year, Standard Level course leading to an externally-assessed IB examination at the end of the two year cycle. This is a rigorous course and it is recommended to have attained at least a B- in Physics 1 and Chemistry 10 so as to register for this course. This trans-disciplinary course satisfies the IB requirements for both Group 3 (individuals and societies) and Group 4 (experimental sciences). This course is appropriate for students with an interest in natural sciences, and especially in techniques and knowledge of environmental issues and problems, as well as their impact to societies. Students coming from either a scientific or a non-scientific knowledge background can choose this course. Topics covered in the first year are: Foundations of environmental systems and societies, Ecosystems & Ecology, Biodiversity & Conservation, Water & Aquatic food production systems and societies. The course involves an individual investigation, which is internally assessed and forms part of the final IB grade.

Students can also take this course for one year as a non-IB course (Environmental Science 5701y) , following the same syllabus as IB 1 students, taking modified assessments (tests/exams) on a modified non-IB grade scale.

Assessment:

Tests/exams/homework and lab work in accordance with IBO assessment practices.