Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
In this Course students will receive a firm theoretical basis for environmental studies from a micro system to macro system. Students will focus on specific ecological and environmental topics, studying plant science, carbon footprints, biodiversity and the natural environment, greenhouse effect of carbon dioxide and Environmental Impact Assessments. This Course will focus on “learning by doing”: to include Ecological Field Trips to The Burren in Co. Clare, Bull Island and St. Anne’s Park in Dublin.
Practical sessions will teach students how to assess water quality, study biodiversity, prepare environmental plans, conduct water quality studies of the Tolka and Dodder Estuary. Team working and work experience included. You will have a mixture of classroom-based subjects, laboratory practicals, field work, mandatory work placement and independent study. You will be expected to complete assignments throughout the year.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS (Level 5)
Any student over 16 years seeking entry to this programme does not need a previous formal qualification. However, the student must demonstrate at interview the capacity to successfully participate on this programme. This includes both the academic and work experience elements of the programme. Should the student have previous qualifications, one of the following may be advantageous for admission to the programme:
- Leaving Certificate/LCA
- Students who may not have formal academic requirements but who have the ability to successfully participate on the course will be considered. (RPL Recognition of Prior Learning)
- If English is not your first language you may be asked to complete an English assessment
- Mature applicants welcome
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
-
Ecological Field Methods
Biodiversity and the Natural Environments
Sustainable Water Management
Biological Diversity
Biology
Teamworking
Work Experience
Permaculture Design
Word Processing
Internships / Work Experience
Please note the components listed above may vary occasionally
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course leads to a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a possible progression route, click below:
| QQI Code |
| 5M5028 |
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Naturalist
Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.
Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.
Investigative
The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
After the Course students will be uniquely positioned to understand and contribute to the biggest issues which face our planet today: climate change and biodiversity protection.
Students may also progress to participating Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) through the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme.