Environmental Impact Assessment

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2015:

170 hours.

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.

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

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.

• 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

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%)

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

Information Not Available

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Understand critical theories of environmental impact assessment

• Be able to critique environmental impact statements effectively

• Be able to apply knowledge to new situations.

4th year and postgraduate