VCE Units 3 & 4 - Environmental Science
VCE Units 3 & 4 - Environmental Science
Overview
Environmental science is an interdisciplinary, investigative science that explores the interactions and interconnectedness between humans and their environments and analyses the functions of both living and non-living elements that sustain Earth systems.
Unit 3 – How can biodiversity and development be sustained?
Students focus on environmental management through the application of sustainability principles. They explore the value of the biosphere to all living things by examining the concept of biodiversity and the ecosystem services important for human health and well-being.
Areas of Study:
- Why is maintaining biodiversity worth a sustained effort? – Importance of Earth’s biodiversity and how it has changed over time, analyse threats to biodiversity, and evaluate management strategies to maintain biodiversity.
- When is development sustainable? – Sustainability principles relate to environmental management, analyse how stakeholder perspectives can influence environmental decision-making, and evaluate the effectiveness of environmental management strategies.
Unit 4 – How can climate change and the impacts of human energy use be managed?
In this unit students explore different factors that contribute to the variability of Earth’s climate and that can affect living things, human society, and the environment at local, regional, and global scales. Students compare sources, availability, reliability, and efficiencies of renewable and non-renewable energy resources to evaluate the suitability and consequences of their use in terms of upholding sustainability principles.
Areas of Study:
- How can we respond to climate change? – Analyse the major factors that affect Earth’s climate, explain how past and future climate variability can be measured and modelled, and evaluate options for managing climate change.
- What might be a more sustainable mix of energy sources? – Compare the advantages and disadvantages of using a range of energy sources and evaluate the suitability and impacts of their use in terms of upholding sustainability principles.
- How is scientific inquiry used to investigate contemporary environmental challenges? – Design and conduct a scientific investigation related to biodiversity, environmental management, climate change and/or energy use.
Forms of Assessment
- Data and evidence analysis
- Case Studies
- Investigations
Prerequisites and Corequisites
It is an advantage to have completed Units 1 & 2 Environmental Science