AS Level Environmental Management

Prerequisites: Admission is by approval of the Curriculum Leader. This course extends and complements many of the Cambridge IGCSE syllabuses. This course is available to Year 12 and Year 13 students.

The Environmental Management course is underpinned by key concepts that help students from all academic backgrounds engage with contemporary global challenges through a scientific management approach.

The course allows students to:

• Develop an understanding of the scientific method through the context of climate change. Students will examine data reliability and sampling techniques, while understanding the influence of ‘big data’ and geospatial technologies

• Explore how changes in human populations and composition create fundamental pressures on our global and local natural resources

• Understand the energy transfers that sustain life and evaluate real-world conservation strategies, such as habitat protection and the management of invasive species

• Discuss the major challenges of the 21st century including food and energy security, global water distribution, and atmospheric management

• Understand the science of the enhanced greenhouse effect and evaluate innovative strategies for reducing emissions and geo-engineering

• To bring these global concepts to life, field trips and speakers are incorporated throughout the year. These experiences allow students to build a local Northland case study, giving them the opportunity to apply their knowledge to our unique environment.

Candidates of the AS Environmental Management course will complete external examinations which demonstrate their ability to apply their knowledge and understanding to environmental issues.