Environmental Studies A Level

Board: AQA
Syllabus: A Level (7447)

About the subject

Environmental Science work is taught in GCSE Science and Geography. Students will be familiar with much of the subject material.  Topics such as food webs, ecosystems, pollution, acid rain, weathering/erosion, photosynthesis and National Parks will have been covered in some way at GCSE.

The key point about Environmental Science is that it is a topical subject. The press and media have a big interest in environmental issues.  Food production and global warming have a huge profile at the moment.  Students must be prepared to read material and watch TV programmes to be aware of major issues.

Students must have an interest in the planet and environmental issues.

There is no coursework

Learning styles

Learning is based on structured lessons and student research.  All lesson notes and data sheets are available on the College intranet. Students will be given weekly research assignments.  A key part of the course is individual student learning.

Exam questions will be set weekly, and one piece of writing approximately every month.

Basic GCSE Maths will be used to analyse data.

Subject Combinations and Progression

Suitable combinations to go with this subject would be Biology, Geography and Geology.

If students are thinking of taking up an Earth Science degree in this field then they should study 2 science courses.

Assessment

A LEVEL Modules.    Both exams are taken in June of the second year.

Paper 1 The physical environment, energy resources, pollution and research methods
Paper 2 The living environment biological resources, sustainability and research methods

Entry Requirements

GCSE Science and Additional Science grade 4 and Mathematics grade 4.  It is not necessary to have studied Environmental Science before.