
Diploma of Higher Education in Environmental Science
Online United Kingdom
DURATION
2 up to 4 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
09 Jan 2025
EARLIEST START DATE
Feb 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 14,544 *
STUDY FORMAT
Distance Learning
* total cost; part-time at a rate of 60 credits is £3,636 per year
Key Summary
Introduction
This interdisciplinary diploma combines science studies in biology, geography and chemistry, with aspects of technology and social science to help you understand the whole picture. You’ll study the problems we face in understanding our natural environment and living sustainably, as well as developing your scientific, interpretive and creative thinking skills.
Key features
- Accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM)
- Enhance your scientific, interpretive and creative-thinking skills
- Investigate the science of the natural environment and our relationship with it
- Explore local and global environmental issues
- Acquire practical experience at a field school (on-site in the UK or online)
Accessibility
We make all our qualifications as accessible as possible and have a comprehensive range of services to support all our students. The Diploma of Higher Education in Environmental Science uses a variety of study materials and has the following elements:
- studying a mixture of printed and online material – online learning resources may include websites, audio/video media clips, and interactive activities such as online quizzes
- using mathematical and scientific expressions, notations and associated techniques
- using and/or producing diagrams and/or screenshots
- undertaking practical work or using an online laboratory
- working with specialist reading material such as scientific journals
- using specialist software
- working in a group with other students
- finding external/third-party material online.
Accreditation
Accredited by the Chartered Institution of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM).
How long it take
- Part-time study - 4 years
- Full-time study - 2 years
- Time limit - 12 years
Program Outcome
Knowledge and understanding
On completion of this diploma, you will have knowledge and understanding of:
- Terms, classification systems, conventions and units of measurement appropriate to environmental science, with a foundation in the disciplines of biology, chemistry, earth sciences and physics
- The underlying concepts and principles associated with environmental science, combining depth and breadth of study across disciplines, and taking account of current thinking
- Appropriate methods of acquiring, interpreting and analysing scientific data and information, including an appreciation of uncertainty.
Cognitive skills
On completion of this diploma, you will be able to:
- Use and apply knowledge and understanding of essential facts, concepts, principles and theories relating to environmental science
- Apply such scientific knowledge and understanding to address familiar and unfamiliar situations and to plan and carry out project work
- Work with scientific data and information and comment on particular aspects of current research
- Evaluate information from a range of sources and engage with some of the current developments in environmental science
- Use conceptual models to understand, develop and apply scientific principles.
Practical and/or professional skills
On completion of this diploma, you will be able to:
- Conduct practical and investigative work in a responsible, safe and ethical manner, and be aware of risk assessment and relevant health and safety regulations
- Initiate, design, conduct and report on investigations, which may involve primary or secondary data
- Obtain, record, collate and analyse data derived from laboratory and/or field investigations, and interpret and report their significance in the light of underlying theory, practical issues and relevant information from other sources
- Plan and improve your own learning and performance so that you can work independently in a way appropriate for continuing personal and professional development.
Key skills
On completion of this diploma, you will be able to:
- Locate, deal with and respond to a variety of information sources (e.g. textual, numerical, graphical and computer-based), including reviews and primary sources
- Communicate scientific information accurately and effectively using written, visual and numerical forms in a style that suits the purpose and audience, including citing and reference works in an appropriate manner
- Prepare, process, interpret and present data using appropriate qualitative and quantitative techniques, including the use of statistics
- Appreciate issues of quantity and quality during the recording and analysis of data and design of experiments, including accuracy, precision, uncertainty, sampling, replication and repeatability
- Use ICT for enhancing your learning, for data analysis and for communicating scientific information with others.
Curriculum
This diploma of higher education has two stages, each comprising 120 credits.
- In Stage 1, you’ll study two 60-credit modules.
- In Stage 2, you’ll study a 60-credit module and choose option modules.
Stage 1 (120 credits)
You'll study both of the following:
- Environment: Journeys through a Changing World (U116)
- Science: Concepts and Practice (S112)
Stage 2 (120 credits)
You'll study the following:
- Environmental Science (SXF206)
You'll choose from:
- Earth Science (S209)
- Environment: Sharing a Dynamic Planet (DST206)
- Energy and Sustainability (T213)
- Environmental Management: Systems and Sustainability (T220)
- The Biology of Survival (S295
Assessment
Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.
Computer-Marked Assignments
- Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.
Tutor-Marked Assignments
- You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
- They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
- Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.
End-of-Module Assessments
- The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
- Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.
Exams
- Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
- You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
- Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
- If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.
Admissions
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Skills for career development
This diploma will give you breadth and depth of understanding in scientific, technical and environmental issues. You’ll be able to think creatively; tackle multifaceted issues; and collect, analyse and interpret complex quantitative and qualitative data. You’ll also gain skills in:
- Practical working – including fieldwork techniques
- Digital literacy
- Communication
- Team working.
In addition, important transferable skills like self-motivation, teamwork and problem-solving will demonstrate your all-around ability and make you more employable.
Career relevance
The broad and specialist skills you will develop during this degree course will equip you to work in a variety of jobs. Environmental science skills are in demand from government and regulatory bodies, the private sector, consultancies and conservation organisations. Careers directly related to the degree include:
- Pollution control
- Recycling
- Water quality
- Resources
- Energy management
- Sustainability
- Environmental consultancy
- Ecology and nature conservation
- Environmental education.
Other careers
People with science qualifications are well placed to enter both scientific and non-scientific jobs. The logical, reasoned approach needed for science study is relevant to a wide range of financial, business and public sector employment.
In addition to improving your career prospects, studying with the OU is an enriching experience that broadens your horizons, develops your knowledge, builds your confidence and enhances your life skills.
Program delivery
With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.
You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.
For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.
Each module you study will have a module website with
- A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
- Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
- Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
- Details of each assignment and their due dates
- A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
- Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.
Program Admission Requirements
Show your commitment and readiness for Grad school by taking the GRE - the most broadly accepted exam for graduate programs internationally.