GV2IANU-Environmental Impact Assessment

Module Provider: Geography and Environmental Science
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Semesters in which taught: Semester 2 module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Dr Tom Sizmur
Email: t.sizmur@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides an understanding of the basic concepts and important methodologies in environmental impact assessment (EAI). Areas related to environmental risk assessment, risk management and applications of remote sensing and GIS in EIA are also covered.

Aims:

This module is intended to provide knowledge and understanding of the concepts and application of the methodologies used in assessing environmental impact across a range of environmental challenges. 

Assessable learning outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students will be able to:

• Explain the fundamental concepts and approaches to environmental impact assessment and methodologies adopted.


• Develop an awareness for the prediction and assessment of human impacts on the soil, ground- and surface water, biological and atmospheric environments.


• Analyze the influences of noise on the environment and the impacts of development projects on socioeconomic and human health.


• Fully describe the procedure to perform environmental risk assessments, and risk management, and explain the application of remote sensing and GIS in EIA.

Additional outcomes:

By the end of the module, it is expected that students should be able to apply their knowledge and report writing skills to other modules.

Outline content:

• Basic concepts of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): EIA procedure


• Systematic approach for using EIA as a planning tool for major development project activities: Introduction


• Systematic approach for using EIA as a planning tool for major project activities: Preparation of EIA report


• Comparative evaluation alternatives from EIA studies


• EIA methodologies: Criteria for the selection of EIA methodology


• EIA methodologies: EIA methods


• EIA methodologies: Predictive models for impact assessment


• Prediction and assessment of impacts on soil and ground water environment


• Prediction and assessment of impacts on surface water environment


• Prediction and assessment of impacts on biological environment


• Prediction and assessment of impacts on the air environment


• Prediction and assessment of impacts of noise onthe environment


• Prediction and assessment of impacts on socio-economic and human health impacts


• Environmental risk assessment (ERA) and risk management in EIA


• Application of remote sensing and GIS for EIA: Concepts and basic principles


• Application of remote sensing and GIS for EIA: Environmental applications

Global context:

The basic concepts and key methodologies in environmental impact assessment are transferrable worldwide.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

The module includes blended teaching and learning methods, involving pre-reading and critical thinking.  Lectures will be delivered using PowerPoint, short video clips related to topics covered in the class. Guided independent study provides time for reading as well as consolidating your notes, preparing your assignment, addressing feedback on formative and summative assessments.

Contact hours:

	Semester 1	Semester 2
Lectures		45
Guided independent study:		55
Total hours by term	0	100
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written exam	60
Written assignment including essay	20
Class test administered by School	20

Summative assessment- Examinations:

2 hours

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. In-class tests: one before and one after the mid-term exam. The question types include multiple-choice and other short-answer questions.


2. Assignment: The assignment is provided to the students at the beginning of the semester. The students are encouraged to use recommended books, online literature, journals and factual data (directed reading).

Formative assessment methods:

In-class spot quizzes will enable feedback and feed-forward on strengths and weaknesses, and help the students to prepare for their summative assessments.

Penalties for late submission:

The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall

Reassessment arrangements:

Re-examination in August

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1) Required text books: 

2) Specialist equipment or materials: 

3) Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: 

4) Printing and binding: 

5) Computers and devices with a particular specification: 

6) Travel, accommodation and subsistence: 

Last updated: 22 September 2022