McAuley Sixth Form » Subjects » Environmental Science
Environmental Science
New Specification What does this mean?
Why choose AQA A Level Environmental Science?
Every time you switch on the news or read a newspaper or magazine there are stories about the environment and climate. Most of the decisions made across businesses and institutions have an increasing environmental component. An understanding of the environment and our species impact on it is everywhere. As a result, this contemporary qualification has never been more relevant. Students who enjoy a multi-disciplinary approach to learning and have a keen interest in the sustainability of our planet will find this course engaging and thought provoking. The subject content covers the bio-physical environment, energy resources, pollution, circular economy, and sustainability, with opportunities to include real life case studies in your work. This is a great accompaniment to A-levels in geography, biology, chemistry, physics and maths and develops key skills including communication, teamwork, research skills and critical thinking.
Back to topWhat will I learn in A-level Environmental Science?
The living environment: wildlife conservation including the importance of biodiversity, habitat management and captive breeding and release programmes.
The physical environment: the impact of human activities on physical processes and how these can be managed, including climate change, exploitation of water and geological resources. Environmental issues such as melting ice sheets, coral reef decline and the discovery of new water sources are explored, with the emphasis on how to find solutions to these environmental problems through improved management and use of new technology. The issues are discussed to enable you to form well-balanced opinions which you can support with logical arguments and objective scientific evidence.
In the second year there are four main areas of study:
Energy resources
Pollution
Biological resources
Sustainability
The applied nature of the subject means that there are many opportunities to relate topics to everyday issues and current affairs.
How will I learn in Environmental Science?
The Environmental Science course involves a range of teaching and learning methods. These include laboratory investigations, problem solving, critical evaluation of data sources and synthesising information from a variety of sources.
The department may run a number of field trips.
Back to topHow will I be assessed in Environmental Science?
The A Level is assessed in June of the second year in two written exams. There is no coursework component.
Back to topRelated Degrees
Environmental Science is a very wide subject, accepted by universities as a relevant science, not only for Environmental Science degrees, but also for related degrees such as oceanography, geology, marine biology and zoology.
Back to topRelated Careers
It can lead, with appropriate other subjects, to a wide range of careers including wildlife conservation, engineering, agriculture, forestry, fisheries, environmental law, tourism, sustainable architecture, among many others.
Past students are employed in a variety of fields, including the petrochemical industry, biodiversity and conservation research (in the UK and abroad), environmental monitoring and management in the nuclear industry, veterinary science and agrochemicals.
Back to top