Course Details: A' Level Environmental Studies Full AS + A2  

A distance learning course is the ideal way to gain A' Level in Environmental Studies. Whether you're looking to go on to further education, improve your job prospects or expand your knowledge, distance learning A Level Environmental Studies is a flexible and convenient course, which allows you to comprehensively prepare for the A Level Environmental Studies exam through home study. What's more, because the distance learning A' Level Environmental Studies course is a fully comprehensive course, no prior knowledge is required.

The Environmental Studies specification enables students to gain an insight into the environment, and the scientific processes that control and affect it. The central theme is the development of an understanding of how different events and cycles within the environment interrelate, how they influence subsequent environmental events, the human impacts on these events and cycles, and the strategies that can be used to minimise the problems caused.

FORMAT OF COURSE (Modules Overview)

There are many modules that make up A-Level Environmental Studies. The main modules are as follows:

AS Environmental Studies

Unit 1:The Living Environment
Topic 1 Conditions for Life on Earth
Topic 2 Wildlife Conservation
Topic 3 Life Processes in the Biosphere
Topic 4 Land Resources

Unit 2:The Physical Environment
Topic 5 The Atmosphere
Topic 6 The Hydrosphere
Topic 7 The Lithosphere

A2 Environmental Studies

Unit 3:Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
Topic 8 Energy
Topic 9 Pollution

Unit 4:The Physical Environment
Topic 10 Human Populations
Topic 11 Food Production Systems
Topic 12 Aquatic Food Production Systems
Topic 13 Forestry
Topic 14 Sustainability

Students are not required to submit an internally assessed environmental studies investigation. However, it is expected that candidates should carry out investigative activities, appropriate to the study of a range of environmental systems and the way in which they influence and affect each other. They should carry out extensive, appropriate practical work wherever possible, out in the environment. Integral to each unit is the development and use of practical skills relevant to the study of the environment; such as the planning and carrying out of investigations, the interpretation of data and the comprehension of relevant environmental texts.

At the end of each topic is a tutor marked assignment. This course covers all the content of the AQA AS Environmental Studies units AS-ENVS1 and AS-ENVS2. You can find the full syllabus for this course at www.aqa.org.uk

HOME STUDY SUPPORT


Your tutor will support you with your project formulation and give you guidance with appropriate topics and ideas.

You will be provided with comprehensive materials designed to provide you with everything required to complete your course of study. You will have your own personal tutor helping you with your course work and with any questions you may have. Plus you can contact a Student Advisors by email or phone for all the practical advice you may need – so we really are with you 100%.

Your tutor will give you various resource sites to visit and there is extra material in the Student Support Portal. In addition there are several supporting texts books for this course but again this depends on which approach you are following and which book best suits your individual needs

COURSE RESOURCES

Throughout the course you will require the following textbook which is specifically written for the syllabus that you are following. While the material covered in the book matches that in the course, you will need access to both in order to fully understand the concepts and terminology. This book will be essential for your course.

AQA A Level Environmental Studies Student book by Richard Genn (2008) Published by Nelson Thornes ISBN-10: 1408513900 ISBN-13: 978-1408513903

This course builds from the knowledge gained in a range of GCSE science subjects, including GCSE Environmental Studies, although its study is not essential to undertake the A Level course. Some knowledge of biology or other GCSE Science subjects or Geography would be useful, so you may find the following books useful for revision.

AQA Science GCSE Science Students Book by Ann Fullick, Patrick Fullick, J Breithaupt, Lawrie Ryan (2006) Published by Nelson Thornes ISBN-10: 0748796347 ISBN-13: 978-0748796342

Understanding GCSE Geography: For AQA Specification A (Understanding GCSE Geography) by Ann Bowen and John Pallister (2006) Published by Heinemann Educational Publishers; 3Rev Ed edition ISBN-10: 0435351710 ISBN-13: 978-0435351717

COURSE ASSESSMENT

For each module there are two or three formal tutor-marked assessments which, when completed, should be sent to your tutor, via e-mail or conventional post. All of the information within the units is written in line with the requirements of the examination board specification and the demands of the examination.

All units are broken down into clear subject topics, and students should spend the amount of time studying for each topic as advised by their course tutor. Each topic module has been written for ease of understanding and topic coverage may be of different length and difficulty depending on the level of detail and information required. You will need to study the modules in the sequence provided.

The AS and A2 modules link together and assessment is all done by examination as there is no coursework option.

HOME STUDY COURSE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

The good news is that no prior learning knowledge or experience is essential to take this course. This course is openly available to anyone wishing to learn more about Environmental Studies and would like to take part in a highly rewarding home study course. We believe that everyone should have the opportunity to expand their knowledge and study further, so we try to keep our entry requirements to a minimum.

You have the freedom to start the course at any time and continue your studies at your own pace for a period of up to 24 months from initial registration with full tutor support.