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EV4802: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (2015-2016)

Last modified: 25 Mar 2016 11:36


Course Overview

Structured class sessions provide background information about the origins and development of EIA and how EIAs are typically implemented in the UK and worldwide.

Practical sessions centred on case studies provide insight into methods used in evaluation and decision-making based on EIA.

Development of a briefing note and an EIA report provide you with an opportunity to develop transferable skills relevant to a diversity of employers.

A group-based activity centred on a case study provides the opportunity to develop skills in team-working, time-management and conflict resolution.

Course Details

Study Type Undergraduate Level 4
Term Second Term Credit Points 15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus None. Sustained Study No
Co-ordinators
  • Dr Philip Smith

Qualification Prerequisites

None.

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

  • One of BSc Biology (Studied) or BSc Conservation Biology (Studied) or BSc Plant Biology (Studied) or BSc Zoology (Studied) or BSc Animal Ecology (Studied) or BSc Marine Biology (Studied) or BSc Parasitology (Studied) or International BSc Foundation Programme (Biological Sciences) (Studied) or BSc Plant and Soil Sciences (Studied) or BSc Ecology (Studied) or BSc Wildlife Management (Studied) or BSc Forestry (Studied) or BSc Forest Sciences (Studied) or BSc Environmental Science (Studied)
  • Any Undergraduate Programme (Studied)
  • Programme Level 4

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

None.

Are there a limited number of places available?

No

Course Description

Course Aims: The course aim is to study environmental impacts through their identification, assessment and mitigation; The course will focus on the underlying policy and science; it will use varied approaches to identify, predict and evaluate impacts. The objectives of the course are as follows: * To develop knowledge and understanding of political drivers and scientific principles. * To develop intellectual skills in impact analysis. * To develop transferable skills in impact analysis. Main Learning Outcomes: * Knowledge and understanding of the guiding and operation principles of EIA. * Understanding the nature & problems associated with various projects. * Knowledge of the impacts posed by selected projects. * Appreciation of the complexities represented by/underlying positive or negative impacts. * Appreciation of the differences of national EIA systems, structural issues, procedural limitations and technical shortcomings. Content: * Origins of EIA; development of, and legislative background to, EIA in the US, EU, UK and worldwide. * The ideal EIA process and stages in this process. * The screening and scoping as key stages in the EIA process. * Impact identification, evaluation, prediction and mitigation. * Planning process, public involvement and decision making * Challenges facing EIA, future development and integration with other environmental management tools.

Associated Costs

None

Further Information & Notes

This course runs in weeks 31-35, and is scheduled in Thread 2, so may have contact hours in any or all of these times:  Mondays, 14-18; Tuesday, all day; Friday, 14-18.  If this is an optional course, there may also be contact hours on Wednesdays, 9-11.


Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers


Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 30 August 2024 for 1st term courses and 20 December 2024 for 2nd term courses.

Summative Assessments

1st Attempt: 1 written exam (50%), coursework (50%) Coursework is a Briefing Note for decision-makers (senior management) about the current state of the EIA in Scotland, and appraises the Scottish system through a comparison with two other EIA systems. The exam (2 hour) is based on an evaluation of a case study. Resit (only in exceptional cases): Similar to first attempt, with continuous assessment mark(s) and /or exam mark carried forward with an opportunity to resit either or both, depending on what was failed in the first attempt.

Formative Assessment

Tutorial sessions will provide opportunity for student-student and student-tutor interaction. Formative assessment will be provided during this interaction and during student-led discussions and tutor-led tutorials. A strong emphasis will be made throughout the course on informal verbal feedback during tutorial sessions.

Feedback

Each student will receive individual feedback and a mark for the Briefing Note. Feedback will be provided as written comments. Students who are identified as having difficulty in successfully completing the coursework assessment tasks will be invited to meet members of the course team to identify difficulties and discuss solutions.

Course Learning Outcomes

None.

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