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Environmental Systems

Academic Department Details

Department: Department of Science

Subject: EVA

Curriculum: ICSE

Academic Department Details

B Form

Theory

  • Introduction
  • Basic Ecology
  • Conservation of Ecosystems
  • Dynamics of Development and Resource Use
  • Understanding Land Use

Practical Work/Internal Assessment

Students are recommended to complete two case studies and one project from the list given at the Council Website.

A Form

Theory

  • Caring for our Basic Resources
  • Resource use
  • Appropriate Eco friendly Technologies
  • Analytical Chemistry – Use of Ammonium Hydroxide and Sodium Hydroxide
  • Initiatives I can take

Practical Work/Internal Assessment

Students are recommended to complete two case studies and one project from the list given at the Council Website.

Learning Objectives

  • To develop an understanding of eco-system and their interrelations
  • To develop an awareness about the utilization, over exploitation of natural resources
  • To recognize the need for keeping pollution under control in order to maintain the quality of life.
  • To develop the ability to identify, analyze and reflect upon different environmental concerns
  • To acquire skills to collect, analyze and interpret data and information relating to environmental problems
  • To develop skills for effectively tackling problems related to the local environment
  • To adopt practices that help in promoting balance in nature by making judicious utilization of resources and materials
  • To acquire leadership qualities through participation in specifically designed activities
  • To develop love, affection, sensitivity and a sense of responsibility towards all living beings
  • To participate in activities and programmes for protecting, preserving and conserving the environment and its resources
  • To appreciate and respect legal provisions for protection of animals and plants
  • To imbibe the essence of environmental values and ethics in order to live in harmony with nature

Skills Acquired by Students

  • Ability to recall knowledge points
  • Appreciate the influence of human activity on the natural processes
  • Develop sensitivity in personal attitudes to environmental issues
  • Develop keen civic sense
  • Create awareness about the role of local communities in sustainable growth
  • Participate in local issues through carefully monitored projects

General Comments

The course involves active discussion in the class supported by project work, experiments and presentations. Students are encouraged to share their own thoughts on critical subjects like water scarcity or pollution. A wide range of topics are covered like pollution, resource shortage and sustainable development. Current issues related to the environment especially those in the newspapers are discussed. Students need to have a keen sense of observation and also need to be critical thinkers.

Academic Department Details

Department: Department of Science

Subject: ESS

Curriculum: IB

Academic Department Details

Systems and Models

The Ecosystem

Human Populations, Carrying Capacity and Resource Use

Conservation and Bio-diversity

Pollution Management

The Issue of Global Warming

Environmental Value Systems

Learning Objectives

Through studying any of the group 4 subjects, students should become aware of how scientists work and communicate with each other. While the “scientific method” may take on a wide variety of forms, it is the emphasis on a practical approach through experimental work that distinguishes the group 4 subjects from other disciplines and characterizes each of the subjects within group 4.

It is in this context that all the Diploma Programme experimental science courses should aim to:

  • Provide opportunities for scientific study and creativity within a global context that will stimulate and challenge students
  • Provide a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterize science and technology
  • Enable students to apply and use a body of knowledge, methods and techniques that characterize science and technology
  • Develop an ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesize scientific information
  • Engender an awareness of the need for, and the value of, effective collaboration and communication during scientific activities
  • Develop experimental and investigative scientific skills
  • Develop and apply the students’ information and communication technology skills in the study of science
  • Raise awareness of the moral, ethical, social, economic and environmental implications of using science and technology
  • Develop an appreciation of the possibilities and limitations associated with science and scientists
  • Encourage an understanding of the relationships between scientific disciplines and the overarching nature of the scientific method

Skills Acquired by Students

  • Demonstrate an understanding of:

    a) scientific facts and concepts

    b) scientific methods and techniques

    c) scientific terminology

    d) methods of presenting scientific information.

  • Apply and use:

    a) scientific facts and concepts

    b) scientific methods and techniques

    c) scientific terminology to communicate effectively

    d) appropriate methods to present scientific information.

  • Construct, analyze and evaluate:

    a) hypotheses, research questions and predictions

    b) scientific methods and techniques

    c) scientific explanations.

  • Demonstrate the personal skills of cooperation, perseverance and responsibility appropriate for effective scientific investigation and problem
    solving.
  • Demonstrate the manipulative skills necessary to carry out scientific investigations with precision and safety.

General Comments

Through studying environmental systems and societies (ESS) students will be provided 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. The teaching approach is such that students are allowed to evaluate the scientific, ethical and socio-political aspects of issues.