(2-year course)
Grades: 11–12 (two-year course)
Subject Area/Course Credit: Science, 1 credit each year
Prerequisite: C or above in Coordinated Science II, or C- or above in AP Physics 1, or science teacher recommendation
IB Group 3 or Group 4
IB Environmental Systems and Societies SL is a two-year course designed to prepare students for the IB exam at the end of the second year.
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.