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On this course, you will investigate local and international environmental issues, topical and current issues. Learn to evaluate and assess data and information from several different sources, separating fact from fiction. You will examine how the planet works, the soil and rocks, the oceans, the atmosphere and the complex living world that depends upon these systems.
How man is upsetting and damaging the environment is contrasted with sustainable management of the planet. You will also see how environmental scientists are actively tackling a range of issues facing the world, such as climate change, pollution, desertification and GM technology.
5 GCSEs at grade 4 or above including English Language and two Science subjects.
The course is broken down into the following major subject areas:
– The living environment
– The physical environment
– Energy resources, pollution
– Biological resources
– Sustainability
– Research methods
Lessons are a mixture of whole-class teaching, group work and independent research that will lead to you presenting your findings to the class. You will also learn through lab work, discussions and field trips.
During your studies, you will become more confident in kick sampling, microclimate analysis, and ecological sampling in grassland and woodland habitats. Finally, you will use apps from satellite telemetry to ocean buoy monitoring to examine how environmental monitoring data is collected and analysed.
This A Level consists of two written papers examined at the end of two years of study:
Paper one (50% of A Level, 3 hours, 120 marks): Topics to include the physical environment, energy resources, pollution and research methods.
Paper two (50% of A Level, 3 hours, 120 marks): Topics to include the living environment, biological resources, sustainability and research methods.
Both paper one and paper two are assessed via a combination of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions. During both examinations, students will be expected to draw on knowledge and understanding of the entire course of study to show a deeper comprehension of the interconnections between topics.
Your interest in environmental issues could take you along several paths beyond college. For example, ecology and wildlife conservation, geography, geology or climatology. Maybe you would like to work for a charity, teach, enter politics, or use your A Level in Environmental Science as the stepping stone to study Environmental Science at university.
