ACE3080 : Environmental Impact Assessment
- Offered for Year: 2020/21
- Module Leader(s): Dr Elisa Lopez-Capel
- 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 team working and peer assessment
Teaching Methods
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
Teaching Activities
| Category | Activity | Number | Length | Student Hours | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Structured Guided Learning | Lecture materials | 12 | 1:00 | 12:00 | A combination of short recordings of lecture material and text published on VLE each week. |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 24:00 | 24:00 | Online - Take home exam 50% |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 1 | 21:00 | 21:00 | group work EIA report (50%) |
| Guided Independent Study | Assessment preparation and completion | 4 | 3:00 | 12:00 | Online tutorial quiz via Canvas (0%) formative |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Workshops | 6 | 2:00 | 12:00 | N/A |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Fieldwork | 3 | 5:00 | 15:00 | PiP/online virtual- Students will be present in fieldtrip sessions sem2 (virtual trip alternative) |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Drop-in/surgery | 1 | 2:00 | 2:00 | Online/PiP - sem2 group report before submission 15min per group |
| Guided Independent Study | Student-led group activity | 40 | 1:00 | 40:00 | N/A |
| Guided Independent Study | Independent study | 59 | 0:30 | 29:30 | Writing up lecture notes and related reading |
| Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities | Module talk | 1 | 0:30 | 0:30 | Online - a short online session given by a lecturer introducing topics |
| Guided Independent Study | Distance Learning Advance Preparation | 16 | 2:00 | 32:00 | Module lecturer will give students relevant reading for module topics throughout the semesters |
| Total | 200:00 |
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
Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.
The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners
Other Assessment
| Description | Semester | When Set | Percentage | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case study | 2 | M | 50 | Report on group project with a peer assessment |
| Computer assessment | 1 | M | 50 | Take home assessment |
Formative Assessments
| Description | Semester | When Set | Comment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Report | 2 | M | Scoping report for case study up to 1000 words. |
Assessment Rationale And Relationship
Online assessment 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
- Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
- ACE3080's Timetable