Accredited Level 3 Environmental Science Diploma

Course Content

Accredited Level 3 Environmental Science Diploma Unit 1: Conditions for Life on Earth and Wildlife Conservation

It is believed that Earth is the only planet which sustains life. Why is this, and what conditions are needed on our planet in order to sustain life and allow organisms to grow? The main conditions needed, such as gases, water, light, and temperature will be described and their historic relevance and formation will be outlined. The concepts and processes of wildlife conservation, and why it is necessary, are discussed and linked to the sustainment of human existence through the maintenance of the physical environments.

Accredited Level 3 Environmental Science Diploma Unit 2: Life Processes and the Biosphere

This second unit explores the concepts of species and environments. Every organism had to and has adapted in order to maintain its survival today. Most survive in a limited range called its Range of Tolerance, which varies from the mouths of volcanoes to the deepest oceans. Each range of tolerance will be studied. We consider succession and what this means in terms of environmental influences. In addition, populations will be discussed, particularly concentrating on evolutionary processes within these groups and how different external environmental influences impact these. We will look at issues surrounding mortality and how to explore various statistics that impart information about this process. We will also look at basic mathematical statistical processes within environmental science.

Accredited Level 3 Environmental Science Diploma Unit 3: Land Resources

Without land and its resources, no life would be sustained. However, the land is a limited resource. How do we use our lands, and how can our habitats be conserved in a way relevant to the environment and the management of sustainability of resources? We also look at conservation laws and intervention programmes such as how tourist visits can be managed and how effective these are. Which organisations are responsible and how do they protect our environment? In addition, land-use conflicts within the conservation paradigm are examined and various land-use resolution processes are explored.

Accredited Level 3 Environmental Science Diploma Unit 4: The Atmosphere

How did gases originate and how are they distributed in the atmosphere? What occurs in the earth’s atmospheric environment is just as important as what we do on land. In this unit, the composition and temperature of the atmospheric layers are discussed and also how different organisms survive within these layers. In addition, we look at contamination issues, the impact of pollutants, e.g., on the Ozone layer, and the characteristics of radiation, together with the implications for global climate changes. The unit also discusses various interventions and resolution theories that may help control global climate change.

Accredited Level 3 Environmental Science Diploma Unit 5: The Hydrosphere

The other environment essential to life is our oceans, lakes, rivers, and seas found on, around, and in the earth. This unit is mainly concerned with the properties and role of water (as a solid – ice, liquid water, and steam gas) within the hydrospheric layer. We will examine and discuss the composition of the layer and look at the hydrological – water cycle, with relevance to sustaining species. In addition, we will consider water as a finite resource and how this resource is managed. Discussion of water treatment programmes will be presented, together with different techniques, processes, and implications, paying particular attention to fulfilling our forever rising demands.

Accredited Level 3 Environmental Science Diploma Unit 6: The Lithosphere

The land is made up of topsoil, and below that are the exploitable rocks. This deeper layer contains rocks, minerals, and elements, and this unit will discuss their distribution and availability. How is their use managed, and how can their future availability be maximised yet sustained? There will be discussion on the importance of soil, its fertility and its composition, types of fossil fuels, geological processes that describe how rocks formed, and various key cycles, for example, the carbon cycle. How humans affect the balance of these cycles, and how this impacts an already fragile earth, will be discussed.

Accredited Level 3 Environmental Science Diploma Unit 7: Energy

Essential to life and crucial to sustainability, we look at factors affecting energy generation and its rising disparate use depending on where people live. This unit will also discuss and compare renewable and non-renewable energy sources, looking at the pros and cons for both. The availability and storage of energy is a topical issue and this will be looked at in detail, together with how the demands and limitations are managed in the face of global energy crises. We will also consider energy conservation programmes, together with industry and consumer issues relating to energy production, use, and conservation.

Accredited Level 3 Environmental Science Diploma Unit 8: Pollution

In this unit, we will define and describe the different types of pollution in its various forms from noise to gaseous, acid rain, and solid waste, also looking at how pollution, e.g., impacts climate change, our environment, and the way we exist. We will consider the different methods of pollution control, weighing up the advantages and cons for examples and relating them to energy production, use, and also the effects on the atmospheric layers of the earth. The importance and methods in the growing field of recycling and its effectiveness will be described.

Accredited Level 3 Environmental Science Diploma Unit 9: Human Populations and Food Production Systems

The largest impact on life on earth has resulted from humans and their manipulation of the environment to meet their growing needs, e.g., over-fishing of the oceans. Rapid growth in population affects every area of life, but this unit specifically considers these changes relating to nutrition and food production. How food production practices change to accommodate varying needs and various controls relevant to food production and the economic and political factors involved are examined. In addition, climate changes affect agricultural techniques and output; these are considered. We will look at the demands and available resources, together with considering the environmental impact of farming methods on maintaining sustainability.

Accredited Level 3 Environmental Science Diploma Unit 10: Forestry and Sustainability

The forests provide a life support system, and so we look at forestry as a resource and how we can manage and sustain this vital resource, particularly in the face of environmental change. We look at deforestation and consider its impacts on the environment and different species. The unit looks at lifestyle impacts and demands especially between the developed and so-called developing world, together with consideration of various political and economic factors. Some maths relating to the study of populations will be covered. We in the west have destroyed much of our forests, and yet now dictate to others how they need to manage their lands and forests. However, today we all know that the problems and sustainability debates have to be global.