Environmental systems and societies

Group 4

Course Description

Course Structure

SL and HL

Prerequisites:

Nil

Exclusions:

Nil

 

Environmental systems and societies (ESS) is an interdisciplinary course, encompassing both the sciences and individuals and societies. As such, ESS combines a mixture of methodologies, techniques and knowledge associated with both the sciences and individuals and societies.

ESS is both a complex and contemporary course that engages students in the challenges of 21st century environmental issues. Consequently, it requires its students to develop a diverse set of skills, knowledge and understanding from different disciplines. Students develop a scientific approach through explorations of environmental systems. They also acquire understandings and methods from individuals and societies subjects whilst studying sustainability issues within social, cultural, economic, political, and ethical contexts. The interdisciplinary nature of the course means students produce a synthesis of understanding from the various topics studied. It also emphasizes the ability to perform research and investigations and to participate in philosophical, ethical, and pragmatic discussions of the issues involved from the local through to the global level.

 

Coursework:

Group 4: ESS Standard Level ESS Higher Level
Core 1.      Foundation

1.1 Perspectives

1.2 Systems

1.3 Sustainability

2.      Ecology

3.      Biodiversity and conservation

4.      Water

5.      Land

6.     Atmosphere and climate change

7.     Natural resources

8.      Human populations and urban systems

1.      Foundation

1.1 Perspectives

1.2 Systems

1.3 Sustainability

2.      Ecology

3.      Biodiversity and conservation

4.      Water

5.      Land

6.      Atmosphere and climate change

7.      Natural resources

8.      Human populations and urban systems

Additional HL

HL.a    Environmental law

HL.b    Environmental and ecological economics

HL.c    Environmental ethics

Practical scheme of work
  • Practical Work
  • Collaborative sciences project
  • Scientific investigation
  • Practical Work
  • Collaborative sciences project
  • Scientific investigation

Assessment

Assessment

Group 4: ESS Standard Level  ESS Higher Level
Type of Assessment Format of assessment Time (hours) Weighting of final grade (%)  Format of assessment Time (hours) Weighting of final grade (%)
External  3 80 4.5  80
Paper 1 Paper 1A: Multiple-choice questions

Paper 1B: Data-based questions (four questions that are syllabus related, addressing all themes)

1.5 36 Paper 1A: Multiple-choice questions

Paper 1B: Data-based questions (four questions that are syllabus related, addressing all themes)

2 36
Paper 2 Data-based, short answer and extended response questions 1.5 44 Data-based, short answer and extended response questions 2.5 44
Internal 10 20  10 20
Scientific Investigation The scientific investigation is an open-ended task in which the student gathers and analyses data in order to answer their own formulated research question. The outcome of the scientific investigation will be assessed through the form of a written report. The maximum overall word count for the report is 3,000 words. 10 20 The scientific investigation is an open-ended task in which the student gathers and analyses data in order to answer their own formulated research question. The outcome of the scientific investigation will be assessed through the form of a written report. The maximum overall word count for the report is 3,000 words. 10 20