Level 3 Earth and Space Science

This course focuses on the Science behind global climate and the challenges currently faced by all species as a result of human action (and inaction) to climate change. The focus of level three is mostly on Earth Science components such as how we know the climate has changed from pre industrial times, factors influencing climate change, investigations related to increased carbon emissions and how human actions (or inaction) affects the natural cycles in the ocean (aspects of oceanography) and atmosphere (aspects of meteorology). For learners who completed L2SPSC (Space Science) and are interested in that content the L3ESSC course offers some internal assessment with a Space theme (12 to 16 credits all internally assessed). 

Learners entering this course need to have good time management skills and be able to work independently on research and media production tasks (writing articles and making video presentations). The maximum number of credits learners should be attaining in this course is 16. The minimum to ensure that the learner obtains NCEA L3 is 12 credits (3 standards). It is relatively easy to obtain endorsement in this course by completing one external standard, usually ocean systems (AS91413) in addition to three internal assessments.