Course Description

Environmental Systems B is the second semester in a two-semester series where students explore the interconnectedness of the natural world and human society. Discover how you can make a difference through scientific inquiry, critical thinking, and practical solutions to real-world environmental challenges. In Environmental Systems B, students gain a deep understanding of environmental issues and the importance of sustainability through topics such as renewable and non-renewable resources, waste management, commercial activities, and human impact on the environment.  As part of this course, students are expected to analyze data, evaluate cost-benefit trade-offs, and discuss ethical beliefs to make informed decisions and contribute to the preservation of the environment.  

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) 

UTHS courses are designed in alignment to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) which define the skills and content to be taught in each course and grade level in the state of Texas.

Semester Topics

• Unit 10: Food and Agriculture
  
• Unit 11: Land Management and Conservation
  
• Unit 12: Nonrenewable Energy Resources
  
• Unit 13: Renewable Energy Resources
  
• Unit 14: Pollution
  
• Unit 15: The Tragedy of the Oceans
  
• Unit 16: Global Change
  
• Unit 17: Solutions
  
• Unit 18: Conservation and Recyling

Course Objectives

Upon completing this course, you will be able to—

• identify renewable and non-renewable resources and evaluate their impact on ecosystems; 
• analyze the cost-benefit trade-offs of commercial activities and evaluate their effects on the environment;  
• evaluate the effects of human activities, species preservation, and nature conservation on the environment;  
• analyze ethical beliefs and their influence on scientific practices related to food production and environmental conservation;  
• research and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of sustainable practices and natural methods of pest control;  
• investigate different types of pollution and their impact on air, soil, and water;  
• communicate and apply scientific information extracted from various sources to environmental issues;  
• analyze land use and management methods and evaluate their effects on land fertility,  
• analyze the economic significance and interdependence of resources within environmental systems;  
• predict trends and analyze data related to non-renewable resource depletion and renewable energy sources.

Required Course Materials

Please visit the Computer Requirements page to view minimum device, internet, and application requirements for all UT High School courses. Generally, a desktop or laptop device five (5) years or newer with access to an office suite, such as Microsoft Office or Google Workspace, will be adequate to participate in most UTHS courses. 

Unless otherwise noted, students are responsible for purchasing or securing all the following course materials:

• Interactive Notebook: A paper or digital composition book is acceptable. For paper composition books, please also have the following items on hand: 
  • Pens or Pencils
  • Tape or Glue

Course Organization

Students must complete the course in sequence: You will not be able to access the next unit until all work in the preceding unit is completed. You may take your final exam only after completing all units and submitting all graded assignments.  

• Units: Each unit includes multiple lessons and graded assignments as well as ungraded practice quizzes to help you check your understanding of the material.
  
  
• Summative Assessments: Each course includes two online, virtually proctored summative assessments testing your understanding of the material presented in the preceding 2-3 Units.
  • Format: Online, Multiple-choice
  • Time Allowed: 1 hr 30 min
    
    
• Final Exam: Each course includes an online, virtually proctored final exam testing your knowledge of all material presented in the course.
  • Format: Online, Multiple-choice
  • Time Allowed: 3 hrs 20 min

Course Grade Weighting

Your final course grade is calculated by weighting the three assignment groups displayed in the table below:

Online Proctored Exams

All course exams, including both summative assessments and the final exam, must be completed online. Students must test online with Proctorio and are required to add the Proctorio extension to either their Microsoft Edge or Google Chrome browser—installation instructions are provided in the student's course. Proctorio uses a student's computer, web camera, and microphone to record video of both the student and their desktop during the exam. Then, UTHS instructors review the student's exam video data collected by Proctorio. Only authorized UTHS staff and instructors can view the exam recordings. Student data is not shared with any persons or organizations outside of UTHS and are deleted after one year. We encourage you to visit Proctorio's Data Security and Privacy site pages to learn more about how we protect student date.