A Level Enviromental Studies Distance Learning CourseAL608

Course Info

Distance Learning Support

At Start Learning we pride ourselves on our friendly and supportive tutors. Your tutor support will start as soon as you receive your course and will be valid for 18 months. All our tutors are highly qualified with extensive experience in supporting distance learning students. You contact your tutor via email and they are responsible for marking assignments answering your questions and guiding you through the course.

Home Study Entry Requirements

Basic English reading and writing skills are required. We recommend you have general skills and knowledge associated with a GCSE course or equivalent.

At Start Learning 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.

Recommended Hours of Study

It is recommended that 200 hours of your time should be allocated towards study for the AS and A2 examinations.

Distance Learning Course Contents

A Level Environmental Studies consists of AS Level and A2 Level

AS Level

Unit 1 – ENVS1 – The Living Environment
• Conditions for Life on Earth
• Wildlife Conservation
• Life Processes in the Biosphere
• Land Resources

Unit 2 – ENVS2 – The Physical Environment
• The Atmosphere
• The Hydrosphere
• The Lithosphere

A2 Level

Unit 3 – ENVS3 – Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
• Energy
• Pollution

Unit 4 – ENVS4 – Biological Resources and Sustainability
• Human Populations
• Food Production Systems
• Aquatic Food Production Systems
• Forestry
• Sustainability

AS Level + A2 Level = A Level in Environmental Studies

Recommended Reading

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

Environmental Science: A Global Concern (Ninth Edition) by William P.
Cunningham, Mary Ann Cunningham and Barbara Woodworth Saigo (2007)
Published by McGraw Hill Higher Education Publisher: ISBN-10: 0071105964
ISBN13: 978-0071105965

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

Easy Payment Plan

Full Price is £395

6 Monthly Instalments of £65.83

The first instalment is paid at time of enrolment with a fee for postage and packaging.

For postage costs click here: Postage & Packaging

Call us on 0800 074 1222 if you would like to set up a payment plan.

Learning Objectives

Unit 1: ENVS1 – The Living Environment
An introduction to the biodiversity of life on Planet Earth.
The reasons why the conservation of life on Earth is important are investigated, as are the methods which may be used to achieve effective conservation.

Conservation in the UK, coral reefs, Antarctica and tropical rainforests are used to develop these issues further.

‘Life Processes in the Biosphere’ allows consideration of the ecological relationships between organisms and their abiotic and biotic environments in order to understand conservation problems further and how these may be managed.

Unit 2: ENVS2 – The Physical Environment
This unit introduces the available physical resources essential to life on Earth, how humans utilise these resources and issues relating to resource over-exploitation.

Additionally, the naturally occurring resources such as atmospheric gases, water and minerals, and cycles involving them are explored. The uses, management and threats to these resources are also investigated, including global climate change, water demands and management as well as mineral exploitation.

Unit 3: ENVS3 – Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
Future problems of energy supply and how these may be resolved are investigated through the study of the energy resources which are available for use.

The properties of pollutants are considered to explain why some materials or forms of energy cause environmental damage. These issues are developed through the study of a range of atmospheric, aquatic and terrestrial pollutants.

The strategies which may be used to minimise releases, treat effluents and manage the damage caused are considered. These issues allow consideration of the issues related to Units 1 and 2 which involve pollution.

Unit 4: ENVS4 – Biological Resources and Sustainability
The factors controlling human population growth are considered in relation to the demands placed upon the planet’s resources and life-support systems.

Food production and forestry systems are analysed, with particular emphasis on the limiting factors affecting productivity, the environmental problems caused by these systems and the ways in which problems can be addressed.

The study of the sustainability of human lifestyles allows synoptic consideration of the other modules of the specification.

How Science Works
An understanding of How Science Works is a requirement.  How Science Works is an underpinning set of concepts and is the means whereby students come to understand how scientists investigate scientific phenomena in their attempts to explain the world about us. Moreover, How Science Works recognises the contribution scientists have made to their own disciplines and to the wider world.

Qualification

Qualification

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.

Language of Examination

English

Examination Centre

You can find a full list of private candidate centres here: AQA Private Candidate Centres

Start Learning will provide you with a list of examination centres but it is entirely your responsibility to find a centre which will accept you as an external candidate.
In some cases you should be prepared to travel to another town or city to take your exams.

Start Learning provides expertise support and advice for students in their studies through their comprehensive course packs and tutoring system. However, we do stress that it is the student’s responsibility to find a centre to register and take their exams with. We are aware that sometimes this is difficult or even impossible to arrange.

Now we have come to an arrangement with a centrally located centre where Start Learning students will be able to take their exams. It is the English Maths Science Tuition & Educational Centre, located in Birmingham, right in the centre of England.

We realise this may still involve a good deal of travelling for some students but the long-term benefits of being able to gain A Levels far outweigh the short-term  expense and inconvenience.

For further information, please go to:
http://www.englishandmaths.com/Index.php

or: English Maths Science Tuition Centre Ltd.
40 Showell Green lane
Sparkhill
Birmingham,
B11 4JP
England
United Kingdom

Tel: 0121-771-1298

The contract for sitting exams is between you and the centre and we will provide you with comprehensive instructions on when and how to deal with the examination centre.

Summary of Examinations

Unit 1 – ENVS1 – The Living Environment
Percentage: 40% of AS Level, 20% of A Level
Examination Time: 1 hour
Total Marks: 60 marks
Format: five short answer questions, 45 marks, and one structured question, 15 marks.

Unit 2 – ENVS2 – The Physical Environment
Percentage: 60% of AS Level, 30% of A Level
Examination Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Marks: 90 marks
Format: eight short answer questions, 75 marks, and one structured question including extended prose, 15 marks.

Unit 3 – ENVS3 – Energy Resources and Environmental Pollution
Percentage: 25% of A Level
Examination Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Marks: 80 marks
Format: Seven compulsory short answer/structured/comprehension questions, 60 marks, and one essay from a choice of three titles, 20 marks.

Unit 4 – ENVS4 – Biological Resources and Sustainability
Percentage: 25 % of A Level
Examination Time: 2 hours examination
Total Marks: 80 marks
Format: 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.

FAQ's

Q: What are the qualifications required to enrol onto this course?
A: Basic English reading and writing skills are required.  We recommend you have general skills and knowledge associated with a GCSE course or equivalent.

Q: Do I have to sit an exam?
A: Yes, to gain your full A Level Qualification, you are required to sit an exam.  Exams are held at test centres which can be found in major towns and cities throughout the UK.  Please contact Start Learning for a list of test centres.  Exams can be taken in January and June, please visit the AQA website for further details and exam timetables.   

Q: How long do I have access to the personal tutor service?
A: The personal tutor service is available for 18 months from when the study materials are received.  At Start Learning we aim help our students to the best of our ability; therefore we are always delighted to answer questions and queries out with the 18 month period.
Q: Do your courses meet the latest syllabus changes?
A: yes, all our course materials meet any changes and will be updated free of charge if further changes are made.

Q: How much are exam fees?
A: These vary from centre to centre so please check with your local centre.

Q: Is this A Level Environmental Studies course paper based or on-line?
A: Our A Level Environmental Studies course is paper based and comes in an attractive folder.

Q: I want to take my exams but there are only a few months to study, is this possible?
A: Depending on the time of year, it is sometimes impossible to complete your studies in a short space of time as your work has to be marked and checked. More importantly the examination boards have cut off times which are not flexible. See the AQA website for further information.

Q: Will I receive UCAS points on completion of this course?
A: Yes all of our A Levels carry UCAS points. The number of points awarded will depend on the grade you achieve.

Q: I still have questions? / I would like more information?
A:  If you require more information please do not hesitate to contact Start Learning via email: info@start-learning.co.uk or call us on 0800 074 1222 or 0141 218 4424.

We look forward to hearing from you.