ENVIROMENTAL STUDIES DISTANCE LEARNING COURSE
LEARN ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT AND DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS
This flexible and unique course offers you the best of our environmental courses and the practicability of business, photography and research.
Environmental studies examines the interactions between humans and the environment, with the intention of addressing any issues around sustaining natural environments and resources. It is a complex, but fascinating area of study that is of utmost importance in this day and age.
There are a number of major environmental issues in the world today, such as:
- Deforestation
- Habitat Loss
- Loss of Agricultural Land
- Loss of Biodiversity
- Endangered Water Supplies
- Exhaustion of Non-renewable Resources
- Climate Change
This course covers all this and much more - examining the theory behind these issues, as well as practical applications.
What's Different About this Diploma?
- Options to choose a unique range of electives
- A longer, more in depth diploma than what is offered at many other colleges (Compare the duration - 2400 hours - with elsewhere). Study more, learn more, go further in your career or business.
- A stronger focus on learning - rather than focusing on assessment, we believe that it is what you learn that makes the difference.
Modules
Note that each module in the Qualification -Advanced Diploma in Environmental Studies is a short course in its own right, and may be studied separately.
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
There are a vast number of environmental problems in the world. Whilst one person single handedly may not be able to reverse the greenhouse effect or other large problems, we are often able to vote at elections, and we are able to modify our own domestic habits to minimise the environmental damage caused. If enough people change their way of thinking and their way of living, then global change is possible. Whilst we may act locally, we can think globally about the consequences of our actions.
Here are a couple of things you can do in your own home to make a difference:
- 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.
- Collect rainwater (e.g. tanks).
- Check any pipes or equipment that water flows through for leaks on a regular basis.
- Install water saving shower heads and low-flow faucet aerators
- Use chemical-free cleaning products
- Use energy from renewable sources such as solar, wind and water power
- seal gaps to minimise heat loss or gain,
- use curtains, blinds, awnings, etc. to reduce heat loss in winter, and heat gain in summer
- use energy efficient appliances (many larger appliances will have an energy efficiency rating on them)
- turn off lights and appliances that are not being used,
- Keep door closed if you're not using those rooms (don't heat rooms not in use).
- Install insulation, this can be in the ceiling, floor and walls.
- Keep heating and cooling units clean and well serviced.
- Purchase only those items we need.
- Select items with a minimum of packaging.
- Collect shopping in reusable string bags, or similar.
- Select purchase items made from materials that have been, and can be recycled.
- Separating waste, recycling, and composting (add valuable nutrients to your garden).
Getting an Environmental Job
People are increasingly more environmentally aware and job opportunities are expanding rapidly in this and related industries.
Despite this fact, many graduates from environmental courses can find it difficult to obtain employment. Often this may be attributed to the type of course they have undertaken, or the level at which they have studied. Many environmental courses also begin with general study and finish off with study in a specific and narrow field. This is important if you are to become an expert in a specialised field, but it can mean that your job opportunities become limited due to high competition between applicants for a limited number of available positions.
What is Different about Studying with ACS?
This is what one of our students said:
"The main difference between my experience of studying at University and studying with ACS is that at University you're basically regurgitating text books. In contrast ACS assignments can be quite involved requiring hands-on application of principles, creative thinking and analysis." Dennis - Certificate graduate, who previously completed a university degree.
Increase Your Prospects
You can increase your chances of gaining employment however, by taking the following factors into consideration:
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Choose a general environmental course to begin your studies as this will give you a broad foundation of environmental skills and knowledge with which to apply to your environmental employment;
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Supplement your environmental studies with study in subject areas that will provide you with additional skills that you can use in your environmental employment such as study in management, computing and writing; and
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Try to obtain work experience within your chosen field of employment while you are studying. This will allow you to acquire specialist skills while gaining contacts as well as valuable content for your resume.
If you seek a career in this industry, our advice is to look carefully at the courses you undertake and be prepared to embrace every opportunity to obtain valuable experience, whether paid work or voluntary.
After you graduate, ask your tutor to help you get your C.V. just right. We are happy to do this and provide support in other ways to help our graduates get a start
MORE COURSES TO CONSIDER
Other courses that may be of interest are listed below. Click on any of these to go to an outline of that course.
SUGGESTED READING
Our academic staff have written a wide range of reference books, many specifically designed to fit the needs of our students. Click on any of the following titles to visit our online book store and see details on that book.
