Introduction to Environmental Studies
Assessment Overview
AS
ENVS1 ’The Living Environment’
1 h paper (60 marks) There will be 5
short answers (45 marks) and 1 extended
answer (14 marks)
40% of AS (20% of A level)


ENVS2 ‘The Physical Environment’
1 ½ h paper (90 marks)
60 % of AS (40% of A level)
8 Short answers (75 marks) and one
extended essay (15 marks)



A2
ENVS 3 ‘Energy Resources and Pollution’



1 ½ h paper (80 Marks). There will be 7
compulsory short answer questions (60
marks) and 1 essay from a choice of 3 (20
marks).
This paper is synoptic across all A- levels.
25% of A level
ENVS 4 ‘Biological Resources and
Sustainability’

*In both units you must answer all questions.
* Both exams are in May!

2 h paper (80 marks). 5 compulsory short
answer questions (45 marks) and 1
compulsory data analysis question (15
marks), as well as 1 essay from a choice of
3 (20 marks).
25% of A level
* There is no coursework.
AS Topics: Teaching Order
UNIT 1
Mr Downing
Mrs Billington / Mr
Morrison
1.
2.
Conditions for life on Earth (Mr Foulger)
Wildlife Conservation (Mrs Billington, Mr Downing
to complete)
3.
4.
5.
6.
Life in the Biosphere
Land Resources
Conservation in the UK
Conservation Abroad
UNIT 2
Mr Foulger
1.
2.
3.
The Atmosphere
The Hydrosphere
The Lithosphere
Exam Dates May 2014
NB. You will have a Christmas Formative Mock Examination in this subject.
ENVS 1: Wed 14th May 2014 pm (provisional and subject to change)
ENVS 2: Thurs 22nd May 2014 pm (provisional and subject to change)
Environmental Studies Equipment
Two ring binders (one for each unit) or one lever arch; file dividers; A4 notepad lined; scientific
calculator; 30cm ruler; highlighters; a pen and drawing pencil; a small selection of coloured pencils.
Environmental Studies AS Topics Contents Page

Please keep this in the front of your file
UNIT / TOPIC
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Unit 1 – The Living Environment
Conditions for life on Earth
1.1
Early conditions on Earth
1.2
How life brought change
Wildlife Conservation
2.1
Rationale for wildlife conservation
2.2
Human threats to wildlife
2.3
Conservation methods
Conservation in the UK
3.1
Aims of conservation in UK
3.2
Organisations involved
3.3
Methods of UK habitat
conservation
Conservation Abroad
4.1
Tropical Rainforests
4.2
Coral Reefs
4.3
Antarctica
Life Processes in the Biosphere
5.1
Adaption to the environment
5.2
Grouping organisms and
environments
5.3
Changes in ecosystems
5.4
Diversity and ecological stability
Land Resources
6.1
Landscape Conservation for
recreation
6.2
Land-use conflicts
Unit 2 – The Physical Environment
The Atmosphere
7.1
Composition
7.2
Human Impacts
The Hydrosphere
8.1
Properties of water
8.2
Hydrological Cycle
8.3
Water as a Resource
8.4
Sources of water
8.5
Water treatment
8.6
Demand for Water
8.7
Water conservation and
management
The Lithosphere
9.1
Mineral Resources
9.2
Biochemical Cycles
9.3
Soils
TEACHER
Mr Foulger
Mrs Billington / Mr Downing
Mr Downing
Mr Downing
Mr Downing
Mr Downing
Mr Foulger
Mr Foulger
Mr Foulger
Pages