Prerequisite: Chemistry Studies, Chemistry SL
Environmental Science and Societies is an interdisciplinary course that focuses on the interrelationships between environmental systems and societies and gives students the opportunities to assess the scientific, ethical, and political impacts of numerous environmental topics. The eight major areas focused on in the course include: Foundations of environmental systems, 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, and Human systems and resource use. Students will be expected to participate in hands-on research and investigation, case study analysis, innovation of solutions, and evaluation of environmental impacts. Students will also participate in a Group 4 project and conduct an Individual Investigation as part of their 30 hours of documented laboratory work. The overall goals of the course is to improve student awareness and critical analysis of environmental concerns and how such concerns relate to individuals and societies at a variety of scales – both local and global. Students will also focus on sustainability and responsible actions that could maintain finite resources.