Environmental Science

The number of jobs in the environmental science sector is growing by around 5% annually as we recognise the importance of effectively managing man’s interaction with the environment whilst continuing to maintain and improve our quality of life. Career options range from politics to conservation biology, nuclear physics to sustainable building and more. Environmental science is an interdisciplinary science and the A-level course builds upon knowledge gained across GCSE subjects, drawing together a wide range of skills and encompassing many areas including biology, chemistry, physics, maths and geography. It helps you to understand the Earth's processes, both physical and biological. It allows you to discuss the impact of human activity on the environment and evaluate strategies used to reduce climate change, energy requirements, conservation and agriculture then think about how these often competing needs can be balanced. You will learn how to develop accurate research methods that allow you to collect representative data and you will understand how mathematical analysis is used to validate theories. As part of your studies, you will undertake practical field activities using specialist equipment to collect data for study. Environmental science is a vibrant and exciting subject that enables you to enhance your understanding of the world around you. Environmental science will help you to develop a number of transferable skills such as research, analytical and evaluative techniques, as well as drawing together information from several scientific disciplines. It is a new and emerging area of study that is focussed on the development of strategies to overcome global issues that we are currently facing.

7 GCSEs at grade 9-4 (including English grade 4) with double or triple science (grade 6/6) and Maths (grade 5/6)

We follow the AQA Environmental Science specification (7447) which consists of 7 modules: The living environment The physical environment Energy resources Pollution Biological resources Sustainability Research methods

Students sit two 3 hour papers at the end of Year 13. The marks are based on subject knowledge (30-35%), application of knowledge (40-45%) and analysis of information (25-30%). In addition, 10% of the final marks will be based upon mathematical skills and a further 15% upon understanding of practical work.

Environmental Science can lead on to a range of degree level courses or apprenticeships in many careers such as: environmental consultant; environmental engineer; environmental education officer; environmental manager; marine biologist; nature conservation; sustainability consultant; water quality scientist; geoscientist and many others.