
VCE Environmental Science
Aim
Explore Our Planet with VCE Environmental Science!
Why Choose VCE Environmental Science?
VCE Environmental Science is an exciting, interdisciplinary field that dives into the complex interactions between humans and their environments. In this course, you'll explore how living and non-living elements sustain Earth's systems and examine the impact of human activities on these systems. You'll tackle big questions like:
How do Earth’s systems interact?
How do human actions affect the environment?
How can we manage environmental challenges sustainably?
Understanding Earth's Systems
In VCE Environmental Science, you'll study Earth as a set of four interconnected systems:
Atmosphere: The layer of gases surrounding Earth.
Biosphere: The regions of Earth where life exists.
Hydrosphere: All water on Earth, including oceans, rivers, and lakes.
Lithosphere: The solid outer part of Earth, including the crust and upper mantle.
You’ll explore how these systems interact to produce natural changes over time and how they respond to disruptions. Key topics include biodiversity, pollution, food and water security, climate change, and energy use.
Hands-On Investigations
Engage in a variety of scientific investigations, both independently and collaboratively, through:
Controlled experiments
Fieldwork
Case studies
Modelling and simulations
Literature reviews
Development of innovative products, processes, or systems
You'll develop essential scientific skills and gain hands-on experience in real-world environmental science applications, all while adhering to safety and ethical guidelines.
Skills You'll Develop
Throughout the course, you’ll hone a range of skills, including:
Scientific Inquiry: Pose questions, formulate hypotheses, and conduct investigations.
Research and Analysis: Collect, analyze, and interpret data critically.
Problem-Solving: Utilize critical and creative thinking to address environmental challenges.
Communication: Effectively present your findings and justify your conclusions.
You’ll also gain insight into how environmental science evolves with new evidence and innovations, and understand the ethical, sociocultural, economic, political, and legal contexts of scientific endeavors.
Why Environmental Science Matters
Studying VCE Environmental Science will deepen your understanding of the complex decision-making processes involved in managing environmental issues sustainably. You'll explore innovative solutions to reduce pressure on Earth’s resources and ecosystem services, preparing you to tackle contemporary environmental challenges.
Career Opportunities
The skills you develop in VCE Environmental Science are highly valued across many fields. This course can lead to careers in:
Atmospheric sciences
Ecology
Environmental chemistry
Geosciences
Architecture
Environmental law
Engineering
Environmental consultancy
Government policy development
Landscape design
Urban and regional planning
Teaching and research
Environmental scientists often work on cross-disciplinary teams to develop solutions for issues like coastal management, climate risk management, and disaster risk management.
By choosing VCE Environmental Science, you'll be well-equipped to make meaningful contributions to the sustainability and well-being of our planet.
Please review the study design for more information (this link will download a word document).
Assessments
Units 1 and 2: Achievement based on a combination of practical reports, topic tests, field reports, assignments, multimedia or web page presentations, responses to media articles, oral presentation and examination.
Unit 3: School assessed coursework (20%)
Unit 4: School assessed coursework (30%)
End-of-year Examination (50%)
UNIT 1: How are Earth’s dynamic systems interconnected to support life? | UNIT 2: What affects Earth’s capacity to sustain life? |
Unveil Earth's Secrets with VCE Environmental Science Unit 1!Explore the Dynamic Earth!In this unit, you’ll delve into the fascinating history of our planet, discovering how Earth has been shaped by natural forces over 4.5 billion years. From volcanic eruptions to drifting continents, you’ll learn about the transformative processes that have sculpted our world. You'll also explore the significant impact of human activities on Earth's systems and how our lifestyles both influence and are influenced by these natural processes.
Fieldwork Adventure Awaits!Step out of the classroom and into the natural world! Fieldwork is a vital component of this unit, providing you with hands-on experience to study Earth’s systems directly. Investigate ecosystems, monitor environmental changes, and generate primary data through engaging fieldwork activities.
What You’ll LearnUnderstanding Earth’s Systems: Dive into the interactions within and between Earth’s four interconnected systems:
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