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Level 5 Higher Diploma in Environmental Science

Subject code: L5ES

Syllabus and Unit Specification:

Level 5 Higher Diploma in: Environmental Sciences

Credit value: 120, contributing to the Higher Education (HE) Diploma outlined below

Rational

The purpose of this subject syllabus is to provide such part time and full time learners with an opportunity to study the principles and applications of Environmental Sciences at an advanced higher educational level (Level 5), with sufficient focus and detail to achieve transferrable skills, knowledge, understanding and application, necessary for progression towards related programmes at Level 6.

The subject is unitised in order to provide flexibility of operation and study. Satisfactory completion of all four units within this syllabus results in the award of 120 credits at Level 5.

Each unit may be undertaken separately, and each will be assessed independently, however it is a key requirement of the subject that all fours units attached to the syllabus be completed at a satisfactory level in order to achieve the diploma.

Target group

HE diplomas should be targeted at those learners who have the ability to benefit from the course and progress to Level 6. They should also have success at level 3. This is a prerequisite to undertaking the course, as is sufficient skills in English, Maths and ICT.

Intended progression

• Bachelor of Science
• Marine Biology
• Zoology
• Environmental science
• Conservation
• Humanities
• Vocational science

Membership of Ascentis

This subject may only be operated in a member institution of Ascentis or a centre approved specifically for its operation by Ascentis. Membership and approval criteria can be found within the HE diploma handbook.

The Level 5 subject

This Level 5 subject is made up of a set of four units, which may be delivered and assessed independently. All units are assessed by coursework activities, and the compilation of an e-portfolio. The Level 5 subject requires successful completion of all four units. Learners are able to complete units at a pace appropriate to their resources, commitments and study plans.

It is expected that a full set of subject units will be completed within 2 academic years of initial enrolment.

Credit is awarded for successful completion of each unit. Any units which are not successfully completed may be repeated but this is subject to the college's discretion and criteria. All the learning outcomes attached to each unit must be met in order for credit to be awarded. Each unit attracts a total of 30 credits. Coursework is subject to marking criteria which will be outlines within each unit.

Moderation and Assessment Responsibilities

See: HE diploma handbook and Ascentis Handbook for Learners

This course is delivered entirely via the distance learning route and therefore there is no face to face element or requirement for centre based assessment.

Aims of the course

1. To provide students with opportunities to develop academic skills in Environmental Sciences appropriate for a range of progression options.
2. To enable students to develop an advanced knowledge and understanding of the subject area
3. To encourage the learner to apply theoretical understanding and evaluation to complex content
4. To encourage students to apply terms and concepts appropriately
5. To enable students to apply a range of transferrable skills to subject related topics, issues and situations.
6. To facilitate and foster the development of a range of presentation skills relevant and appropriate to the discipline and level of study.

Course Objectives

1. To encourage direct and indirect independent learning and the development of key skills in an effective and academic context for the purposes of personal development and progression.
2. To develop an appreciation of the value and problems of interpretation of core concepts in Environmental Sciences, together with related and relevant methodologies and theories.
3. To build an understanding of the core concepts within Environmental Sciences
4. To encourage students to apply their experience, knowledge and understanding, and skills to a range of course-related topics.
5. To encourage students to develop study autonomy and be able to demonstrate planning, judgement and organisational skills.
6. To advance the development of presentation skills appropriate to the discipline, level of study and delivery method.
7. To encourage development of transferrable evaluative and analytical skills relevant to Environmental Sciences

What the student needs to know

In order to undertake this course the student will require:

• Prior knowledge and understanding commensurate with enrolment criteria
• Access to computer system with internet access and capabilities to download and upload files
• Word processing ability and access to word processing package compatible with college requirements
• Good organisational skills in order to plan studies, manage workload and study time

Unit 1: Foundations in Environmental Science

Students will be presented with the opportunity to learn about:

• ICT methods, tools and strategies
• The use of ICT in higher education
• Reflective writing and the use of this for skills enhancement
• The ePortfolio
• Understanding the chemistry of life including cells, water and the atmosphere
• Earth structure including plate boundaries, tundra, continental drift etc.
• Pollution and the effects on the different levels within the Earth's atmosphere
• Sustainability: food production, soil erosion, genetic modification, the nitrogen and carbon cycles
• Global warming: perspectives, theories and conservation issues

Students will be provided with learning opportunities in:

• Identifying different ICT methods relevant to Level 5 study
• Understanding how to apply different ICT tools and strategies within the course
• Gain understanding of value of independent study and be able to reflect upon experiences
• Evaluation of theories and concepts relevant to Environmental Science and be able to compose coursework activities according to the criteria and learning outcomes commensurate with Level 5

Unit 2: Marine Biology

Students will be presented with the opportunity to learn about:

• Different ecosystems and the habitats within them
• Volcanic structures and processes, together with the impact on marine life
• The different periods such as cretaceous, Jurassic etc
• Estuaries and related species conservation
• Conservation issues such as fish stocks, plankton, deforestation and global warming in relation to marine biology
• How to critically evaluate conservation models relevant to marine biology issues

Students will be provided with learning opportunities in:

• Learning how different ecosystems function and what influences and impacts there are upon them
• Exploring various structures and processes such as volcanoes, coral reef etc., and the impact on marine life that is apparent from things like global wrming and human intervention
• Evaluation of evidence and data relevant to conservation issues surrounding sustainability of marine life species and discussion about how these affect human life, food sustainability etc.

Unit 3: Botany

Students will be presented with the opportunity to learn about:

• Botanical species structure and function, for example plant cells and photosynthesis
• Different habitats and related species, together with looking at human intervention, weather and other elements which may impact habitat and species survival
• Plant propagation and maintenance of species
• Primary production and succession in relation to habitat and species survival
• Ecology and related processes, influences and interventions
• How to evaluate the existing evidence and models for botanical conservation

Students will be provided with learning opportunities in:

• Developing underpinning knowledge of complex theoretical models relatin to botanical conservation
• Learning about physiological and chemical processes within plants such as photosynthesis and active transport
• Exploration of different causes of species loss such as deforestation, human intervention (farming and building), disease and natural evolution
• Learning about ecological issues and relating these to botanical conservation and evolution

Unit 4: Zoology

Students will be presented with the opportunity to learn about:

• Sexual reproduction and autosomal inheritance
• Taxonomy and the characteristics of mammals including anatomy and physiology
• Homeostasis
• Fossils and binary fission
• The evaluation of theories and concepts of evolution and conservation within species

Students will be provided with learning opportunities in:

• Learning about the basic anatomy and physiology of mammals including sexual reproduction and inheritance
• Exploration of taxonomy and conservation of species through a variety of means such as captive breeding programmes
• Evaluating evidence related to species conservation
• Looking at fossils and binary fission: relating this to taxonomy and species conservation

All four units are presented in learning outcome format, with specified assessment criteria

Online Enrolment