If you want to get a broad based understanding of the environment and what you can do to live in a more environmentally sensitive way; this is a great place to start.
Become more greeen and sustainable at home and at work
Discover things you never knew about the environment; and explore ways you can contribute to the wellbeing of the planet, your local community, your friends and your family
Learn the basics, and lay a foundation for work or further study in environmental management
Duration: 100 hours
COURSE STRUCTURE
There are six lessons in this course as follows:
Living Things –
Classification of plants and animals
identifying living organisms
using identification keys
Basic Ecology –
Populations
communities
ecosystems
constituents of ecosystem
the ecosphere
the web of life
habitats and niches
humans in the environment.
Global Environmental Systems –
The Earth’s structure
the atmosphere
climatic systems
Gaia theory
the carbon dioxide cycle
El Nino.
Environmental Problems –
Deforestation
loss of agricultural land
loss of biological diversity
loss of water
loss of non renewable resources
environmental weeds
the Greenhouse Effect
Ozone depletion
ozone as a Greenhouse gas
Conservation –
The definition and goals of conservation
the history of conservation
natural resources (renewable and non renewable).
Acting Locally: Thinking Globally –
Humans and water
how to minimize water usage
energy use in the home
reducing household waste
domestic transport and its affect on pollution
building materials and their environmental impact.
AIMS
To understand the binomial system of classifying living things
To understand the use of keys to identify living things
To grasp the basics of ecology (the relationships between living organisms and their environment)
To have a basic grounding in Earth Science and an understanding of global environmental systems
To understand the Earth’s major environmental problems and how they have come about
To gain an understanding of conservation and its importance to individuals and the world
To learn a range of ways to reduce the environmental impact of ones actions at home and globally
WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE
Here are some of the things you may do throughout this course:
Classify a range of living organisms in your locality
Identify the genus and species names of plants in a nursery
Compose a food web for your local area
Carry out basic research into the weather in your area and what affects it
Carry out in depth research into at least one major environmental problem
Contact three conservation organisations to determine the issues they deal with
Survey a building to determine the types of building materials used
Design an environmentally friendly house
Example from Course Notes
What Can Humans Do to Reduce Water Use?
Reduce demand for water per person. We waste a lot of water, and even though some is recycled, some becomes polluted and cannot be used.
Recycle waste water (bath and shower) for use in the garden.
Select plants suited to the local environment for use in the garden so that garden watering is minimised.
Mulch plants.
Collect rainwater (e.g. tanks).
Reduce pollution - through better industrial processes and waste water treatment, and through tighter anti-pollution laws.
Desalination - this can create its own problems due to the energy consumption required to run the desalination plants.
Build more dams - this has major effects on the environment.
Water diversion works - this also has major environmental consequences.
Towing icebergs from Antarctica - not yet an economically feasible idea.
Cloud seeding to cause more rain in needy areas.
Reducing evaporation from water storages and channels through the use of covers, or anti-evaporative substances.
Encourage people to live where water supplies are better.
Career Tips
Qualifications are essential for furthering your career in Environmental Science, however there are many other things you can do to get ahead. These include:
experience tips - unpaid or paid, experience is highly valued by future employers.
networking tips - become a member of relevant environmental networking groups and join website groups related to your field.
membership - become a member of relevant groups in your field eg. the Mammal Society or Bird Observer Clubs. This is another way to demonstrate your commitment to your career.
More Information on ACS Distance Education and our courses
Who are our tutors?
Our tutors are all highly experienced and professional, knowledgeable in their field of study. We have staff from around the world, enabling us to gain a wide variety of perspectives. We have a school in the UK and in Australia. If you would like to have a look at our tutors, then click on the “The School” in the boxes above and choose “The Staff” option.
Sample Course Notes
Our courses are all written by highly qualified tutors and writers, who also teach on the courses, so know them well. We strive to update our courses and improve them with new information, methods and knowledge on an ongoing basis. If you would like to see examples of some of our courses, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, and then click on “Sample Course Notes”.
What learning method should I choose?
We offer three learning methods – e-learning, correspondence and online. If you are not sure which is the right choose for you, then click on the “Enrolment” box above, then “Learning Methods.”
How Long will it take to complete the course?
This obviously varies from student to student. Some students will have more time for study than others. Some students may work quicker than others, so it is an individual thing. We estimate that most students will take, for example, 4 – 6 months to complete a 100 hour individual module, but we allow up to 12 months for you to complete it.
Longer courses will obviously take longer. You can find more information on the length of time required and so on the “Enrolment” box, then selecting “Terms and Conditions of Enrolment.”
What Do Our Students think of us?
If you would like to read comments from our previous students, then choose the “Enrolment” option above, then “Student Testimonials”.
I don’t think this is the right course for me.
If you’re not sure about this course, then why not look at our wide range of other courses. Click on the “Courses” box above.
You may also wish to design your own course to fit in with exactly what YOU want. To do so, click on the “Enrolment” box, then “Design your Own Course”.
If you would like more advice on a course, then you can contact us and ask a tutor about the courses. You can contact us by calling 0800 328 4723 or +44(0) 384 442752 or emailing info@acsedu.co.uk
Recognition and Accreditation
For more information on our recognition and accreditation, click on “The School”, then “Recognition”.
Who is ACS Distance Education?
If you want to know more about ACS and our history, then please click on “The School”, then “About us.”
What qualification will I achieve for completing this course?
This is an individual module course. The individual module courses are 100 hour long usually and can be taken on their own or as part of a larger program of study.
If you wish to take an individual module course as a stand alone course, you can elect to sit an optional exam at the end of it.
If you successfully pass the exam and all assignments, you will receive a Statement of Attainment. You can take examinations at a time and location to suit you. If you enrol, you will be sent further information on how to arrange examinations at the end of the course.
If you do not wish to take the exam, you will receive a Course Completion letter when you have passed all assignments.
There is an assignment at the end of each lesson. So for example, if an individual module course contains ten lessons, you will need to complete ten assignments. Assignments can be sent to us via email, post or fax.
Other qualifications, such as certificates, diplomas etc may require examinations to be taken as part of the overall assessment process.
You can find further information on the examinations process by clicking on the “Enrolment” link above.
You can find further information on other courses by clicking on the “Courses” link above.
Distance Learning Course Enviromental Studies
"Work in the growing field of Environmental Studies"
This course is an excellent introduction to environmental studies. It will give the student a broad-based grounding in environmental and conservation issues and can serve as a course in its own right or as a platform for higher learning.
Now available online or via e-learning!
