Environmental Studies / Studji Ambjentali O'level

The study area SEC Environmental Studies / Studji Ambjentali is informed by the National Curriculum Framework (NCF).

The aim of Environmental Studies is for students to acquire the information, values, attitudes and practical skills necessary to help them become capable of foreseeing and solving environmental problems by participating more actively and in a responsible and effective way in the care of the environment. Moreover, students will observe the biophysical, sociocultural and economic aspects of the natural and the human environment and hence be able to understand and interpret the complexities of the interactions between them. Finally, students will also develop a sense of responsibility and solidarity by understanding how personal and local actions could have national, regional as well as global repercussions

At the end of the programme, the student will be able to: 

• demonstrate an understanding of weather and climate processes and their association to ecosystems and biodiversity
• describe the composition of the Earth’s structure and the factors leading to plate movement, volcano formation and rock weathering
• demonstrate an understanding of the hydrological cycle and describe the formation of river and coastal landforms
• differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources, demonstrate an understanding of soil formation processes and different terrestrial and marine farming processes and sources of sea pollution and demonstrate knowledge of challenges associated with waste management and global climate change
• investigate and discuss political, social and economic changes, landmarks, developments and contrasts in Maltese society using primary and secondary sources
• discuss social and economic development in present-day Malta
• identify elements of society and culture
• identify and discuss the relationship between work and family, developments in the family structure and gender issues
• discuss the present-day Maltese political context as well as Malta’s historic political milestones achieved since the nineteenth century
• recognize, investigate and discuss the importance of the Malta’s built heritage from Prehistory to the Medieval period
• recognize, investigate and discuss the importance of the Malta’s built heritage from the Knights period to the present-day
• describe and discuss significant events and developments in European history that impacted Maltese history using primary and secondary sources