A' Level Environmental Studies Course (Full AS/A2)

A' Level Environmental Studies

AQA (Full AS + A2) Course 

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)
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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.

COURSE FEES
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The enrolment fee for the A' Level Environmental Studies (Full AS + A2) home study course is £393.75, though for a limited time we are offering you the opportunity to pay only £315 which is a 20% discount if you enrol online and pay in full.

You can also opt for our Easy Payment Plan and enrol online today by paying a deposit of £78.75 and then 4 equal payments of £78.75 per month. The first instalment is paid about a month after you receive your course.

COURSE QUALIFICATION & EXAMINATION FORMAT
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AS/A2 - A level in Environmental Studies. Both AS and A2 level courses and examinations must be successfully completed to gain a full A level.

Specification: AQA (Full A Level) 2440, AQA (AS) 1441 and AQA (A2) 2441

Format of Examinations - AS Units 1 and 2

Unit 1 – ENVS1 The Living Environment
Written unit 1 hour 60 marks
40% of the total AS marks and 20% of the total A Level marks
This unit comprises five short answer questions (45 marks) and one structured question (15 marks).
All questions are compulsory.

Unit 2 – ENVS2 The Physical Environment
Written unit 1½ hours 90 marks
60% of the total AS marks and 30% of the total A Level marks
This unit comprises eight short answer questions (75 marks) and one structured question including extended prose (15 marks).
All questions are compulsory.

A2 Units 3 and 4

Unit 3 – ENVS3 Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
Written unit 1½ hours 80 marks
25% of the total A Level mark
This unit comprises seven compulsory short answer/structured/comprehension questions (60 marks) and one essay from a choice of three titles (20 marks). Includes synoptic assessment.

Unit 4 – ENVS4 Biological Resources and Sustainability
Written unit 2 hours 80 marks
25% of the total A Level mark
This unit comprises five compulsory short answer/structured/comprehension questions (45 marks), one compulsory data analysis question (15 marks) and one essay from a choice of three titles (20 marks). Includes synoptic assessment.

Please note that synoptic questions will assess AS as well as A2 material.

To achieve a good overall grade it is necessary to do well in all of the components of the course.

WHAT’S INCLUDED
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Your course fee covers the full syllabus that you will need to successfully complete the A' Level Environmental Studies home study course with 24 months full tutor support.

1. Full course syllabus, study folders, and/or online learning aids designed for distance learning
2. A full range of student services, including:Tutor marked assessments (TMAs)Access to the online student portal (Student Chat, Forums and Online Support Resources)NUS Extra Card (discounted membership)Comprehensive Study Guide & Study PlanGuide to Effective Study TechniquesHow to approach exams without fear
3. An accredited qualification upon successful course completion directly from the awarding body AQA.
4. Two year's educational support by e-mail, post, fax or phone
5. Free postage and packaging for UK mainland students

FURTHER COURSE INFORMATION
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If your course is being delivered online, please ensure you meet the minimum requirements below.

For Windows:
Windows 98, 2000, XP, Vista, Windows 7 - Acrobat Reader 4.0 and above

For Macintosh:
Mac OS X, Mac OS 9.2 - Acrobat Reader 4.0 and above

From time to time we may enrol our students with our partner sites; this is dependent on the number of students enrolling on a particular course and course material availability. If this happens, nothing changes for you other than the name of the college administering your course. We will continue to be your point of contact; you will get the exact same course you have enrolled on with the same high level of quality content and support.

The course can be enrolled upon by students Internationally. There are no deadlines for enrolments.

WHAT TO DO NOW?
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Step One: It's simple - all you need to do now is choose whether you want to pay in instalments or in full and then click on the relevant enrolment button at the top of this page.

Step Two: Once you have selected your payment option to enrol you will be redirected (this can take a few seconds) to our PayPal payment page (you do not need a PayPal account) for you to select your payment method and complete your enrolment.

Step Three: Within 7 days (normally 48 hours) your enrolment papers and course materials will be with you. A tutor and a dedicated support advisor will also be allocated to you.

That's it..... Thanks and wishing you the best of luck with your studies.
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