Environmental Management - Professional Development Course for anyone working with the environment.

• Gain a more in-depth qualification in environmental management and add to your existing knowledge or experience.
• A unique qualification - you choose what to study.
• Course Duration: 500 hours of self paced study.
• Start Date: Start at any time.

This course is designed primarily for people who already have some qualifications or experience related to environmental management, who seek to supplement their existing skills and gain an industry specific qualification that enhances their employability and capacity to work in food or nutrition industries.

This is an extremely flexible programme, offering people with a background (prior study, or experience) an opportunity to obtain a formal qualification in this discipline

COURSE COMPOSITION

The course is comprised of two parts:

PART ONE

Students are to select three modules/short courses to study. The beauty of this course is that you can negotiate with one of our academic officers to select virtually any combination of relevant modules that are appropriate to your needs. Your selection might be made from modules listed below. Please click on the module for more information.

Professional Practice For Consultants (BBS301) is an 8 lesson module.  This looks at the practicalities of setting up of a consultancy practice.  You will need to be aware of market conditions and the legal and resource requirements for setting up a practice.  Being a consultant offers the opportunity to utilise your knowledge and experience in business which you can then use to share with others and develop their businesses, with an appropriate financial return to you.  The module includes lessons which look at the sustainability and maintenance of a consultancy. 

Environmental Assessment BEN301 
This 8 lesson module looks at the assessment and production of reports relating to specific environmental impacts or projects. It covers the different types of employment available along with the both International and Domestic Environmental Law. The module looks at the process of assessment and the writing of reports. It is completed with a Project Based Learning Project where the student will apply their knowledge and carry out a small environmental assessment which they will write up as a professional report.

Environmental Waste Management BEN202 
Through the 6 lessons in this module, students will gain a broad overview of the nature, and scope of waste, and the ways in which it is dealt with in the present day. The module covers domestic waste, and industrial waste. Students will gain an understanding of ways in which waste can be dealt with – whether it can be recycled, or treated, and what chemical or environmental impacts have to be considered. 

Wildlife Management BEN205 
Wildlife Management is a 9 lesson module which aims to develop a student’s knowledge of the principles of wildlife ecology and management. The module looks at the needs of wildlife and the factors which contribute to making a good habitat. Specific habitat types are considered – scrubland, tropical, temperate, desert, and so on. Students will learn about population dynamics and how they adapt to their environment. The second half of the module focuses on wildlife census, management techniques than can be employed and the legal aspects of wildlife law and administration. The module concludes with a case study and PBL project where students can use the knowledge gained on the course and demonstrate their understanding of the subject matter.

Introduction To Ecology BEN101 
This 7 lesson module looks at the interaction, relationships and impact of the different elements which form the world around us.  Students will learn about the development of life by studying the evolution of different organisms and different types of ecology (behavioural – how behaviours have evolved; population – the form and interaction of populations; community – the interaction of species in a community; ecosystem – the components and interaction of living and non-living elements within an environment). The module contains lessons which look at living organisms, including endangered species of animal, different environments (including rainforests, marshlands, mountains, and shallow waters), and is concluded with a lesson focussing on ecological problems which face us such as global warming, and the impact on the environment of products we use in the home or in agriculture.

Statistics BSC304 
This 10 lesson course aims to familiarise the student with different statistical terms and the elementary representation of statistical data. Students will learn to understand data and handle it more confidently to support their work. The module covers distributions, central tendency, percentiles, analysis of variance, the Chi square test and more.

Botany I (Plant Physiology and Taxonomy) BSC104 
This is a 10 lesson module where students will learn about plant taxonomy, plants cells, tissues and structure. On completing the course you will be able to determine the role and function of different parts of the plant (e.g. vegetative parts), and understand the mechanism and role of photosynthesis, and respiration. The course looks at osmosis and the movement of water and nutrients through a plant, and the role and function of the seed in its life cycle.

Botany II (Applied Plant Physiology) BSC204 
This 10 lesson module explains the principles and processes of plant physiology and their practical applications. Students will consider aspects such as the initiation of flower buds, their growth and development, along with dormancy in plants and seeds. You will develop knowledge in such areas as photo-periodic responses of plants to differing conditions, plant associations and competition, the physiological processes in post-harvest crops and in storage and transportation. As well as looking at retailing and shelf life aspects, lessons also consider growth regulation, and growth manipulation and associated risks in terms of commercial risk, human health, plant pathology, ecological and environmental risks and much more.

Water Conservation and Management BEN302 
This 10 lesson module is highly relevant to those studying irrigation; providing adequate water to crops and the like is crucial to their healthy survival, but understanding more about water itself is equally important.  The module looks at sources of water, how to store water, re-use it and conserve it.  Being able to use natural water supplies or recycled water will form part of the designs and schedules for an irrigation system.

Ornithology BEN102 
This is a 9 lesson module which is concerned with the classification and biology of birds. Students will study the classifications of different orders of birds and learn about their different characteristics. They will then go on to learn about the biology and anatomy of birds, including the physical attributes and organs, their internal biology and systems, behaviours, migration, and habits. The module then turns to look at specific types of birds, with lessons on land birds, giant and long-legged birds, seabirds, birds of prey, and so on. The module concludes with a lesson on how you can attract, feed, and keep birds.

Vertebrate Zoology BEN104 
A 10 lesson module which looks at the taxonomy of different classes of vertebrates. Students will learn about the form and structure of different vertebrates, including fishes, amphibians and reptiles, birds, mammals, and more. Outcomes from this module will see the student being able to distinguish between major groups of vertebrates through their understanding of their taxonomic classification and diversity. They will understand the environmental and genetic influences on vertebrate development, and understand the importance of these with regard to the well-being of animals.

Marine Studies I BEN103 
A 9 lesson module which is concerned with study of marine ecology systems. Students will learn about the environments in which marine life exists, including nutrient cycles, and food chains. Those completing this module will be able to identify the different characteristics of marine environments, and the different types of marine life supported within these. The module includes lessons specific to Shellfish and Crustaceans, Squid and Octopus, Cartilaginous and Bony Fish, Marine Mammals, Turtles and Sea Snakes, and Seabirds. The final lesson in the module looks at the human impact on marine environments, as well as considering techniques used to manage stocks of fish and other farmed marine life. 

PART TW0

Workplace Project 
You must also complete a workplace project or relevant work experience equivalent to 200 hours.

There are 4 options available to you to satisfy this requirement.  The options will be different dependent upon whether or not you currently work within the industry. The project can be work experience, voluntary experience, a project you carry out, other training you have already undertaken and there are other options. Don’t worry if you are not sure how to proceed at this stage, as your tutor will be there to discuss how to proceed and help you every step of the way.

For further information or to submit your list of modules, email info@acsedu.co.uk

WORKING IN ENVIRONMENTAL INDUSTRIES

Qualifications are essential for furthering your career in Environmental Management, however there are many other things you can do to get ahead. These include:

• experience tips - unpaid or paid, experience is highly valued by future employers.
• networking tips - become a member of relevant environmental networking groups and join website groups related to your field.
• membership - become a member of relevant groups in your field e.g. the Environmental Management Association. This is another way to demonstrate your commitment to your career.

Studies in Environmental Management provide many exciting, interesting and satisfying career choices. Contributing to the maintenance and conservation of ecosystem that we rely on for our survival is extremely rewarding. 

Environmental managers and assessors are in high demand, to advise on and help manage development and use of cities and rural areas with minimal impact to the environment. Attractive features about working in this industry include working independently and as part of a team; different working environments (e.g. outdoors, in a laboratory or an office, running community education programs, doing scientific research); and an attractive salary once beyond graduate level. 

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Career options include: 

• Environmental Consultant
• Environmental Engineers 
• Environmental Education Officer or Manager
• Waste Manager and Pollution Controller
• Technical Officer/Environmental Officer
• Project Officer for Land Councils
• Natural Resource Manager.

Who Employs graduates?

Typical Employers include:

• Local and State Government – Department of Natural Resources, Parks and
  Wildlife Service. etc.
• The private sector - Environmental Consulting Firms, Landscaping businesses (These roles are generally self employed or contracted).
• NGOs – Greenpeace, World Wide Fund for Nature. 
• Wildlife Conservation Foundations and Trusts– The Wildlife Trusts (UK), RSPCA (Aus).
• Universities – Research Assistant, Lecturer, Post Doctorate and PhD studies.

Positions can vary from short-term assignments, part-time, permanent roles, and consulting, depending on the employer. 

Remuneration rates vary from country to country; and can be extremely variable.

Entry level jobs may be relatively low paid, and graduates from certificates diplomas and even degrees may undertake voluntary work on projects such as land rehabilitation, or perhaps in wildlife parks, as a way of getting experience and a start in the industry.

Jobs in Environmental Education, Ecotourism and wildlife can pay anything from a very basic wage to something comparable with other professions. 

Environmental Scientists and Consultants are generally paid quite well, even during the Graduate phase. Salaries are comparable with other professions such as doctors and teachers. 

NGOs and Wildlife Organizations may pay less than government organisations or large businesses; depending on funding capabilities.

RISKS AND CHALLENGES

There are risks associated with every career, but some are particularly pertinent to environmental management, including the following: 

• Some jobs require you to deal with hazardous materials (e.g. Toxic chemicals)
• The bureaucracy involved in environmental industries can be stressful.
• Conflicts between environmental and other concerns (e.g. Economic) can create stress situations in some environmental jobs
• Funding in this industry can be erratic. The quantity of work can become excessive overnight as a result of changed government policy or funding a new project. It can disappear just as fast, when policy changes or a project finishes.

DIVERSIFY FOR A SUSTAINABLE CAREER

Becoming too much of a specialist in anything today is not a good idea for long term career prospects. Specialists solve problems, but once those problems have been solved, there may not be such a need for that specialist any more.

A broader based training, can keep your options open; and broader experience in your work can also mean greater sustainability in your career.

Environmental professionals often maintain employment by diversifying their work. They may for example, teach, write for magazines, operate a plant nursery or manufacture/sell environmental products as well as taking on management or consulting projects whenever available.

WHAT NEXT?

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