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Course Outline

ENS223 Environmental Impact Assessment

Course Coordinator:Lucy Goodridge Gaines (lgoodrid@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2024Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

Environmental management systems are the practical means by which organisations minimise their impacts on the environment. In this course you’ll learn how to assess impacts at different scales, and design, implement and monitor mitigation measures. This knowledge will assist you to critically evaluate complex environmental issues and assist in the development of Environmental Impact Statements (EIA’s) and the preparation, maintenance and implementation Environmental Management Systems (EMS) in accordance with relevant environmental legislation and international standards.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – There will be a minimum of 13 hours of quality online learning materials available to support student learning. 1hr Week 1 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus workshop 2hrs Week 1 10 times
Fieldwork – Fieldwork dates to be determined. 5hrs Not applicable 3 times

Course Topics

  • Risk Assessment 
  • Environmental Management Systems (in accordance with ISO 14001) •
  • Environmental Impact Assessments
  • Project Implementation and Environmental Performance
  • Corporate social responsibility and environmental reporting

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Understand the strategic and organisational context of environmental management in different settings and design and deliver practical outcomes that contribute positively to environmental performance. Engaged
2 Synthesise and prioritise information from desktop and field environmental assessments, rank the relative values identified, assess the risks imposed by the development, and determine appropriate environmental management strategies. Creative and critical thinker
3 Critically evaluate the effectiveness of existing environmental management policies and procedures against relevant criteria and standards. Creative and critical thinker
4 Articulate and justify specific policies or courses of action on complex environmental issues using discipline based knowledge and established management principles. Empowered
5 Understand and adhere to professional and ethical codes of conduct. Ethical

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

Not applicable

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Introductory level knowledge of: global environmental trends and issues from a systems perspective; environmental and sustainable development objectives; environmental management assessment, reporting and compliance and construction environmental performance management.

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

In the third teaching week of semester there will be a peer review and feedback process relating to Task 1. Regular interactive feedback and guidance will be provided during lectorials.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Report Group 30% 
3000 words equivalent
 Week 6 Online Submission
All 2 Plan Individual 40% 
2000 words equivalent
 Week 11 Online Submission
All 3 Written Piece Individual 30% 
700 words equivalent
 Week 13 Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Environmental Management System
Goal: 
You will develop skills to undertake an assessment of a company, conduct an environmental risk assessment, and prepare the foundations of an over-arching Environmental Management System (EMS) in accordance with ISO 14001.  This will include the assessment of internal and external issues, the needs and expectations of interested parties and the intended outcomes of the EMS.
Product: Report
Format: 
A brief Environmental Management Plan focussing on: Company Environmental Policy, Environmental Objectives, Key Performance Indicators and Risk Assessment 

A written technical report with images, tables, data and other information.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Application of environmental assessment methods - Understanding of the relationship between policy, objectives and KPIs, Understanding of the risk assessment process and the practical application of management measures
 1
2 
Evaluation of existing policies and procedures against relevant criteria and standards
 3
3 
Professional and ethical codes of conduct.
 5
All - Assessment Task 2:Environmental Impact Assessment
Goal: 
You will develop skills to work from a project description, conduct a preliminary desktop assessment, prepare for and undertake a site assessment, and prepare a summary Environmental Impact Assessment and management plan that addresses environmental values at the site (for example Water, Soil, Flora, Fauna, Social, Native Title, etc.), impacts presented by the project, and mitigation measures.
Product: Plan
Format: 
Written technical document with summary sections on: 

Site values 

Detailed risk assessment of the project impacts on those values 

Mitigation measures identified in the risk assessment presented in a succinct working reference document
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Application of risk assessment methods
 1 2
2 
Synthesis and prioritisation of information on environmental issues at various scales
 2
3 
Articulation and justification of specific policies or courses of action
 3 4
4 
Evaluation of existing policies and procedures against relevant criteria and standards
 3
All - Assessment Task 3:Environmental Performance Management
Goal: 
To develop skills in presenting a well-researched and contractually sound justification of activities identified on site at the 3rd site visit. .
Product: Written Piece
Format: 
Letter in response to a client contract letter.​ 

Letter to be written in a detailed assessment of current legislation, environmental standards, guidelines, management plans and other reference material.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Application of environmental management methods in different situations
 1 3
2 
Synthesis and prioritisation of information on environmental issues at various scales
 2
3 
Understanding of contractual documentation, legal requirements, statutory obligations and industry guidelines.
 5
4 
Articulation and justification of specific policies or courses of action
 4
5 
Evaluation of existing policies and procedures against relevant criteria and standards
 3
6 
Awareness of professional and ethical codes of conduct.
 5

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Recommended John Glasson,Riki Therivel 2013 Introduction To Environmental Impact Assessment n/a Routledge
Recommended International Standards Organisation 0 ISO 14001 n/a n/a

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all field activities and low to moderate levels of health and safety risk exists. Moderate risks may include working in an Australian bush setting, working with people, working outside normal office hours for example. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: 
- 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. 
- A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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