Full Time AS Environmental Science

AS Environmental Science

Is this course right for me?

This course is for those interested in having an influence on the future of the planet, or wanting a career in environmental research or conservation.

What will I be learning?

You will study topics of an environmental importance on a local and global scale and look at the scientific principles that underpin them. Topics have roots in Ecology, Geography, Geology, Biology and even Economics. You will gain an understanding of processes such as global warming, acid rain, pollution and sustainable development as well as the dynamics of ecosystems. The AS course is split into 2 Units:

Unit 1.

(The Living Environment) looks at the ecological relationships between organisms and the environment in order to understand the rationale for conserving the environment. You are assessed with a one hour written exam in January containing 5 short answer questions and one structured question.

Unit 2.

(The Physical Environment) is examined with a one and a half hour exam in June containing 8 short questions and one extended prose (essay) question. The unit looks at the physical resources on the planet (gases, water, nutrients, minerals) and how humans manage and exploit these resources and ways in which we can do so more sustainably in the future.

How will I learn?

The course contains a mixture of lectures, practical work and computer research. You will also be required to participate fully in class discussions and presentations and complete research-based essays. You will be expected to put in a lot of work outside of the classroom and complete regular homework tasks. Use will be made of online resources and the our Virtual Learning Environment.

There will be opportunities for field trips and field tasks for you to put knowledge into practice (this may carry an additional cost). There is no coursework.

What else might I want to know?

Being a science, Environmental Studies links well with such subjects as Biology and Chemistry as well as other less-scientific subjects such as Geography and Business Studies.

It will be compulsory for you to purchase the course textbook which will be published in September.

What can I do afterwards?

Progression to the second year of the course (A2) will be dependent on your attitude and attendance throughout the AS year and also on you acquiring a grade D at AS level. Environmental Science is a useful subject for entry on to university science degree courses, but because you also develop skills in research, ethics and balancing arguments, it is suitable for almost any university degree course. Careers that this course can lead to include Environmental Management and Environmental Health, Environmental Impact Assessments and Town Planning and also Environmental Monitoring and Conservation and even Tourism. This could be in the private or public sector.

Apply for this course
You can apply online , by phone, post or in person.

Course Code: AS3ENV1P