Environmental Impact Assessment

Subject 121-532 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Semester 1, - Taught on campus.
Pre-teaching Period Start not applicable
Teaching Period not applicable
Assessment Period End not applicable
Last date to Self-Enrol not applicable
Census Date not applicable
Last date to Withdraw without fail not applicable


Timetable can be viewed here. For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment: Contact Hours: Lecture (2hrs) 1 x weekly, Tutorial (2hrs) 1 x weekly for 6 weeks of semester
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites: Admission to Office for Environmental Programmes postgraduate programs, Development Studies postgraduate programs, Planning degrees, Fourth Year Honours in Environmental Studies, or by permission of the coordinator.
Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

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. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Coordinator

Assoc Prof Barbara Downes
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 ASSESS. 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 ASSESS of those changes. Additionally, a strong emphasis is placed on the practical implementation of principles using a field based approach.
Objectives:
  • 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 1500 words (30%) due mid-semester, in-class quiz at end of semester (15%), oral presentation (5%) at end of semester, and a written report 2500 words due after the end of semester (50%). Masters - Essay 1500 words (30%) due mid-semester, in-class quiz at end of semester (15%), oral presentation (5%) at end of semester, and a written report 3500 words due after the end of semester (50%).
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.
Related Course(s): Master of Development Studies(CWT)
Master of Forest Ecosystem Science
Master of Urban Planning
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: R05 PE Master of Science (Environmental Science)
R05 RA Master of Science - Geography (not offered until 2010)

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