Environmental Studies

Exam Board:AQA

What is the course about?
The course in Environmental Studies aims to promote an understanding of the way our planet works and our influence upon it. It deals with a wide range of issues of environmental importance and the scientific principles that underpin them. Key aspects within the course include wildlife conservation, global climate change and sustainability. By studying the course you will develop a good understanding of these issues and learn the ways in which the environment is sustainably managed. The course aims to develop well informed environmentalists.
For the AS level you will study:
AS level Environmental Studies has two units. The first unit is on the "living" environment and deals with the reasons why conservation of life on Earth is important, methods which may be used to achieve effective conservation, and conservation in the UK, coral reefs, Antarctica and the tropical rain forests. The second unit is on the "physical" environment and deals with the human exploitation and management of physical resources to provide higher material living standards, the damage we are causing to the atmosphere, oceans, rivers and surface of the planet and the unsustainable exploitation of our worlds natural resources.
How is the course assessed?
Both units of the course are assessed by examination. The first unit has an hour long exam paper and forms 40% of the assessment. The examination for the second unit is one and a half hours long and makes up 60% of the assessment.
What skills will I need and develop in this course?
You will be encouraged to consider a wide range of environmental issues and develop skills of critical analysis. Sufficient scientific knowledge is developed to allow a full understanding of these issues. A major requirement to do Environmental Studies is a determination to take on a new subject with its new way of thinking and its new terminology.
What courses would combine well with this subject?
Environmental Studies is taken by students with very different academic backgrounds and many subject combinations exist. It combines well with the sciences and Geography in particular.
What can the course lead to in terms of higher education and future careers?
Environmental Studies is useful for environmental degree courses or any science/geography related course. It provides a good background for careers in resource management and environmental planning. If you are interested in going on to university level study in environmental issues you should take A levels in Biology / Chemistry / Physics depending on the options you want to keep open.
What are the formal entry requirements for this course?
Aside from the general entry criteria that the College requires, you will also need to achieve at least Grades CC in GCSE Science and GCSE Additional Science (or in two separate science GCSEs).
What extra support / enrichment activities are on offer?
As part of the course you will carry out some local fieldwork. The department also has an environmental film club with regular showings of films exploring major environmental issues.