Environmental Science A-level
90980
- Start:
- September
- Duration:
- 2 years
- Level:
- 3
Course Details
If you have a keen interest in the sustainability of this planet, A-level Environmental Science will provide you with a broad understanding of the biological, chemical and physical processes of Earth and the problems currently affecting the plant and animal kingdom, including the human race.
You will consider the challenges of managing problems on a local, regional and global scale, and consider solutions to improve the quality of the atmosphere, biosphere, crysosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere.
This is a great accompaniment to A-levels in Geography, Science and Maths; you will also develop key skills including communication, teamwork and critical thinking.
Year 12:
- The living environment: conditions for life on earth, conservation of biodiversity, life processes in the biosphere and conservation planning.
- The physical environment: the atmosphere, the hydrosphere, mineral resources, biochemical cycles, soils.
- Energy resources: The importance of energy supplies in the development of society, the impact of the features of energy resources and their use, the sustainability of current energy resource exploitation, strategies to secure future energy supplies, new energy conservation technologies, vehicle design for use and end of life, building design.
- Research methods: scientific methodologies gained through first-hand experience and class-based activities including sampling, standardisation techniques, statistical analysis, fieldwork and laboratory techniques.
Year 13:
- Pollution: The properties of pollutants, how environmental features affect the severity of pollution, strategies to control pollutants based on their properties and features of the environment.
- Biological resources: agriculture, aquatic food production systems, forest resources.
- Sustainability: dynamic equilibria, energy, material cycles, the circular economy.
- Research methods: scientific methodologies gained through first-hand experience and class-based activities including sampling, standardisation techniques, statistical analysis, fieldwork and laboratory techniques.
You will need a minimum or five GCSEs, including Grade 5 in English Language together with four other subjects at Grade 4 or above (one of the four subjects must include Maths).
Additional entry requirements:
- A minimum of a grade 5 in Maths and Biology/Combined Science.
The College will always treat each applicant as an individual. Should you not have or not expect to obtain the grades stated above, or not have relevant industry-related experience, the College would still welcome your application for this course as this will enable us to identify whether this course is, in fact, the right course for you or whether another course may be more appropriate.
You will sit two exams with a combination of multiple choice, short answer and extended writing questions, data analysis and general maths skills. Both exams are three hours long.
- University
- Higher/Degree Apprenticeship
- Employment
Fieldwork and deskwork career opportunities with Environmental Science are as varied as they are exciting. Options include:
- Agronomist
- Ecologist
- Environmental Lawyer
- Environmental Planner
- Horticulturalist
- Meteorologist
- Microbiologist
- Oceanographer
- Pollution Control Manager
- Teacher
- Water and Waste Management
- Wildlife Manager
- Zoologist
University Guarantee
Every Sefton Sixth Form College student who successfully achieves a Level 3 qualification and meets attendance and entry requirements, is guaranteed a place on a course at the Hugh Baird University Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions that we are often asked:
You will take three subjects over two years.
We offer a small number of BTEC courses at Sefton Sixth Form College. You can study one BTEC course alongside your two A-levels.
It is not expected that a student would attend both sites, but the feasibility of this would be discussed on an individual basis. Potential timetable clashes and workload would need to be considered in detail for this to be a possibility.
