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Module

ACE3080 : Environmental Impact Assessment

  • Offered for Year: 2022/23
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Elisa Lopez-Capel
  • Lecturer: Dr Martin Jones
  • Owning School: Natural and Environmental Sciences
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters
Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0

Aims

To teach a systematic approach to environmental impact assessment as a component of the development planning processes. The module provides guidance in the preparation of environmental impact assessment and in the evaluation of environmental impact statement prepared by others. It also provides practice in team working and in preparation of a technical report.

Outline Of Syllabus

1. Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment
2. Screening & scoping procedures
3. Baseline assessment techniques
4. Impact prediction
5. Impact evaluation
6. Mitigation techniques
7. Strategic environmental assessment
8. Stakeholder analysis
9. Seminar discussions on case studies
10. Seminar discussions on EIA in practice. Preparation of group technical report.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion42:008:00Online tutorial quiz via Canvas (0%) formative
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion121:0021:00group work EIA report (50%)
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion124:0024:00Preparation and completion of PC Exam
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture121:0012:00Weekly PiP Lecture
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesWorkshops62:0012:00exercises and discussion on EIA in practice (case studies)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesFieldwork35:0015:00field trips on environmental assessment in practice (preparation of group report, sem 2)
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery12:002:002hr group report support session before submission
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesDrop-in/surgery41:004:00sem2 4 1hr drop in tutorials
Guided Independent StudyStudent-led group activity401:0040:00N/A
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study162:0032:00Module lecturer will give students relevant reading for module topics throughout the semesters
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study301:0030:00Writing up lecture notes and related reading
Total200:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Student contact time comprises a combination of lectures, small group teaching and field classes. Lectures deliver information on principles of EIA. Small group teaching provides practice through interactive activities which develop understanding and skills. Team leadership and facilitation skills are introduced in a small teaching group at the beginning of the group work with some reminder and consolidation of teamworking skills. The group work allows the practice and further development and self-assessment of these skills. Field classes provide practice in different aspects of environmental assessment required for the group project.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams
Description Length Semester When Set Percentage Comment
PC Examination1201A50A paper copy of the exam will be available, if needed
Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Case study2M50Report on group project with a peer assessment
Formative Assessments
Description Semester When Set Comment
Report2MScoping report for case study up to 1000 words.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

the PC Exam tests knowledge and understanding across the full module content. Breadth is assessed through part 1 which contains true/false and short answer questions. Depth is assessed through part 2 in which students answer one essay question.

Group project tests critical ability, insight and written presentation. Work in a group reflects professional practice and reduces the writing burden. Peer assessment is used to discriminate individual contributions. The report evaluating the group project will require each student to provide a written report providing a reflective assessment of the team working during the project in the light of the literature.

Reading Lists

Timetable