Environmental Impact Assessment

Subject EVSC90015 (2015)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2015.

Credit Points: 12.5
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

Semester 1, Parkville - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period 02-Mar-2015 to 31-May-2015
Assessment Period End 26-Jun-2015
Last date to Self-Enrol 13-Mar-2015
Census Date 31-Mar-2015
Last date to Withdraw without fail 08-May-2015


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: 36 hours comprising 2 hours of lectures per week and 2 hour tutorials in 6 weeks.
Total Time Commitment:

170 hours.

Prerequisites:

Admission to a postgraduate coursework program or fourth year or honours in environmental studies, environmental science, resource management, geography, environmental engineering, planning, development studies or by permission of the subject coordinator.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon
academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation
in the University's programs. This course requires all students to enrol in subjects where they
must actively and safely contribute to field excursions and laboratory activities. Students who
feel their disability will impact on meeting this requirement are encouraged to discuss this matter
with the Subject Coordinator and Disability Liaison http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/
students email: disability-liaison@unimelb.edu.au

Coordinator

Prof Barbara Downes

Contact

Melbourne Graduate School of Science
Building 138, between the Doug McDonell building and the Eastern Resource Centre (ERC)

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Email: 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au

Subject co-ordinator: barbarad@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

This subject prepares students for environmental management roles by providing them with the principles of how human impacts on the environment might be detected and managed. The principles will be placed within the legal and social contexts of environmental impact assessment. At the completion of the subject, students should understand three aspects: prediction of the kind of changes that might occur with human activities; the design and implementation of proper monitoring programs that can detect changes; and assessment of those changes. Additionally, a strong emphasis is placed on the practical implementation of principles.

Learning Outcomes:
  • To ensure students understand processes of environmental impact assessment
  • To ensure students are able to critique effectively documents related to an EIA, such as Environmental Effects Statements
Assessment:

4th year students - Essay 2000 words (30%) due mid-semester

4 in class quizzes during tutorial classes during semester (20%)

Group oral presentation during one lecture class during semester in groups of 5-7 students (5%)

A written report 2500 words due after the end of semester (45%)

Masters students - Essay 2000 words (30%) due mid-semester

4 in-class quizzes during tutorial classes during semester (20%)

Group oral presentation during one lecture class during semester in groups of 5-7 students (5%)

A written report 3500 words due after the end of semester (45%)

Prescribed Texts:

Downes, B.J. et al. (2002) Monitoring Ecological Impacts: Concepts and Practice in Flowing Waters. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK.

Recommended Texts:

Information Not Available

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • Understand critical theories of environmental impact assessment

  • Be able to critique environmental impact statements effectively

  • Be able to apply knowledge to new situations.

Notes:

4th year and postgraduate

Related Course(s): Master of Design (Urban Design)
Master of Science (Geography)
Master of Urban Design
Master of Urban Planning
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point Master of Development Studies (Gender && Development)
150 Point Master of Development Studies
150 Point Master of Development Studies (Gender && Development)
200 Point Master of Development Studies
200 Point Master of Development Studies (Gender && Development)
Climate Change
Climate Change
Conservation and Restoration
Conservation and Restoration
Development
Development
Development Studies
Development Studies
Education
Education
Energy Efficiency Modelling and Implementation
Energy Efficiency Modelling and Implementation
Energy Studies
Energy Studies
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Gender and Development Specialisation - 100 Point Program
Gender and Development Specialisation - 150 Point Program
Gender and Development Specialisation - 200 Point Program
Integrated Water Catchment Management
Integrated Water Catchment Management
Public Health
Public Health
Tailored Specialisation
Tailored Specialisation
Waste Management
Waste Management

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