School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Unit Code

    SCM3203
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    1
  • Version

    4
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Prof Angus Neil MORRISON-SAUNDERS

Description

This unit examines the role of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in environmental planning, decision-making and management to deliver sustainable development. Legislation, administrative processes and practice are critically evaluated with an emphasis on international best practice environmental impact assessment.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 2 units from SCI1185, SCI1193

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Understand the role of environmental impact assessment in contributing to sustainable development.
  2. Critically evaluate environmental impact assessment best practice principles and procedures.
  3. Understand how science is applied in environmental impact assessment practice to deliver effective outcomes.
  4. Appreciate the social, political, legal and administrative context within which environmental impact assessment occurs.
  5. Develop effective communication skills relevant to professional practice in the field of environmental impact assessment, including working in interdisciplinary teams, oral presentation and creation of high quality written documents.

Unit Content

  1. Definitions, evolution, goals and purposes of environmental impact assessment.
  2. International applications of environmental impact assessment, best practice principles and evaluating EIA effectiveness.
  3. Legislative, administrative and procedural basis for environmental impact assessment, focusing on Western Australian practices.
  4. The EIA process including baseline studies, impact identification and prediction, consideration of alternatives, determining significance, mitigation, decision-making and follow-up.
  5. The role of science in environmental impact assessment.
  6. Engaging with stakeholders.

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit uses technology enhanced learning with a mix of lectures, workshops, group discussions and team work, assignments, E-Learning material and support.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ReportBest Practice EIA methods/approaches (groupwork assessment)30%
PresentationCritical analysis of EIA procedures (groupwork assessment)30%
AssignmentCritique of an EIA case study (individual assessment)40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ReportBest Practice EIA methods/approaches (groupwork assessment)30%
PresentationCritical analysis of EIA procedures (groupwork assessment)30%
AssignmentCritique of an EIA case study (individual assessment)40%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCM3203|4|1

School: Science

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Environmental Impact Assessment
  • Unit Code

    SCM3203
  • Year

    2021
  • Enrolment Period

    2
  • Version

    5
  • Credit Points

    15
  • Full Year Unit

    N
  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus
    Online
  • Unit Coordinator

    Prof Angus Neil MORRISON-SAUNDERS

Description

This unit examines the role of environmental impact assessment (EIA) in environmental planning, decision-making and management to deliver sustainable development. Legislation, administrative processes and practice are critically evaluated with an emphasis on international best practice environmental impact assessment.

Prerequisite Rule

Students must pass 2 units from SCI1185, SCI1193

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Integrate the social, political, legal and scientifice dimensions in which environmental impact assessment occurs.
  2. Critically evaluate environmental impact assessment best practice principles and procedures.
  3. Work individually and in teams to produce oral and written work relevant to professional practice in the field of environmental impact assessment.
  4. Critically review the literature on environmental impact assessments giving consideration to both theory and practice.

Unit Content

  1. Definitions, evolution, goals and purposes of environmental impact assessment.
  2. International applications of environmental impact assessment, best practice principles and evaluating EIA effectiveness.
  3. Legislative, administrative and procedural basis for environmental impact assessment, focusing on Western Australian practices.
  4. The EIA process including baseline studies, impact identification and prediction, consideration of alternatives, determining significance, mitigation, decision-making and follow-up.
  5. The role of science in environmental impact assessment.
  6. Engaging with stakeholders.

Learning Experience

Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECUs LMS

JoondalupMount LawleySouth West (Bunbury)
Semester 213 x 2 hour workshopNot Offered13 x 2 hour workshop

For more information see the Semester Timetable

Additional Learning Experience Information

This unit uses technology enhanced learning with a mix of lectures, workshops, group discussions and team work, assignments, E-Learning material and support.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ReportBest Practice EIA methods/approaches (groupwork assessment)30%
PresentationCritical analysis of EIA procedures (groupwork assessment)30%
AssignmentCritique of an EIA case study (individual assessment)40%
ONLINE
TypeDescriptionValue
ReportBest Practice EIA methods/approaches (groupwork assessment)30%
PresentationCritical analysis of EIA procedures (groupwork assessment)30%
AssignmentCritique of an EIA case study (individual assessment)40%

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCM3203|5|2