Environmental Impact Assessment

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The processes which shape the natural world at different temporal and spatial scales and their influence on and by human activities
• The applicability of environmental science to the world of work
• The terminology, nomenclature and classification systems used in environmental science
• Issues concerning the availability and sustainability of resources, for example, the different value sets relating to the Earth's resources as commodities and/or heritage
• The need for both a multi-disciplinary and an interdisciplinary approach in advancing knowledge and understanding of Earth systems, drawing, as appropriate, from the natural and the social sciences
• The contribution of environmental science to debate on environmental issues and how knowledge of these forms the basis for informed concern about the Earth and its people
• The contribution of environmental science to the development of knowledge of the world we live in
• Methods of acquiring, interpreting and analysing environmental science information with a critical understanding of the appropriate contexts for their use

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Recognising and respecting the views and opinions of other team members
• Receiving and responding to a variety of information sources (e.g. textual, numerical, verbal, graphical)
• Developing the skills necessary for self-managed and lifelong learning (e.g. working independently, time management and organisation skills)
• Identifying individual and collective goals and responsibilities and performing in a manner appropriate to these roles
• Communicating appropriately to a variety of audiences in written, verbal and graphical forms
• Developing an adaptable and flexible approach to study and work
• Using the internet critically as a means of communication and a source of information
• Identifying and working towards targets for personal, academic and career development
• Evaluating performance as an individual and a team member
• Appreciating issues of sample selection, accuracy, precision and uncertainty during collection, recording and analysis of data in the field and laboratory

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Applying knowledge and understanding to complex and multidimensional problems in familiar and unfamiliar contexts
• Analysing, synthesising and summarising information critically, including prior research
• Recognising and using subject-specific theories, paradigms, concepts and principles
• Recognising the moral and ethical issues of investigations and appreciating the need for professional codes of conduct

Subject Specific Practical Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Undertaking field and laboratory investigations in a responsible and safe manner, paying due attention to risk assessment, rights of access, relevant health and safety regulations, and sensitivity to the impact of investigations on the environment and stakeholders
• Referencing work in an appropriate manner
• Planning, conducting, and reporting on environmental investigations, including the use of secondary data

The module has four major topical blocks. Throughout the topical blocks we weave theoretical knowledge together with case studies to apply the acquired knowledge practically.

Block 1: EIA – The Basics

Firstly, the module begins more theoretically by introducing the philosophy and principles of EIA, and the legal and planning framework in which EIA is used nationally and internationally. This block will cover the main EIA procedure, how to produce an Environmental Statement and the management and participatory processes required to conduct a successful EIA.

Block 2: Field trip and scoping exercise

The second part will be applied and host a fieldwork and scoping exercise. We will use a realistic development scenario in the coastal environment for a coursework exercise, and a virtual field trip to support the work. This will also form part of the marked assignment.

Block 3: Conducting an EIA – the details

The third part of the lecture series will be more practical. We will dive into the different impact areas of EIA – covering biodiversity, water, noise, air, climate and socio-economic impacts. We will cover the approaches used by various disciplines to assess and monitor environmental impacts, significance and to create mitigation measures.

Block 4: EIA beyond the project

The fourth part of the lecture series will expand our EIA perspective and dive into international EIA practice, global trends and new kinds of environmental assessments, such as SEA and Sustainability Assessments. We will do some comparison of EIA practice in different countries and also look into EIA quality and emerging areas and priorities for international EIA.

The module will be delivered by lectures, workshop sessions, guest lectures plus one site visit. The sessions will be delivered by the module co-ordinator, a teaching assistant, and specialist contributors with experience in consultancy and planning.

Learning activities include:

• Attendance at lectures and seminars.
• Self-directed learning - supplementary and complementary to lecture materials.
• Private study – research for and preparation of module assignments.
• Site visit, including interactive briefings from lecturing staff.
• Targeted support sessions for coursework.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.