MSc Management and Implementation of Development Projects

Year of entry: 2023

Course unit details:
Environmental Impact Assessment

Course unit fact file
Unit code PLAN60411
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 1
Offered by Planning and Environmental Management
Available as a free choice unit? Yes

Overview

• The EIA process
• History of EIA
• Screening
• Scoping
• Alternatives in EIA
• Impact prediction
• Mitigation measures
• Preparing EIA reports
• Quality and Review of EIA reports
• Consultation and participation
• EIA and decision-making
• Monitoring and auditing
• The future for EIA
• Practitioner’s Views of EIA,

 

 

Aims

• Explain and assess the process, and underlying principles and concepts, of environmental impact assessment (EIA).
• Explore the methods and techniques used in the stages of the EIA process.
• Evaluate the operation of EIA in the UK and other countries.

 

Teaching and learning methods

Lectures and workshops: each element of the course unit will be covered within the lectures and several will also involve a workshop to allow discussion and application of knowledge and skills in small groups followed by plenary discussion

Knowledge and understanding

Discuss the stages and operation of EIA process

Discuss current trends in EIA

Intellectual skills

Evaluate the wider role of EIA in the context of sustainable planning

Discuss impact assessment concepts

Evaluate information to make decisions

Practical skills

Conduct screening, scoping, report review stages of EIA

Write reports

Analyse and synthesise previous research

Transferable skills and personal qualities

Work effectively in groups.

Write reports

Make in-class presentations

Assessment methods

Method Weight
Written assignment (inc essay) 100%

Formative Essay (1250 words)

Summative Essay (3000 words) 100%

Feedback methods

Written formative feedback will be provided on essay 1.

Written summative feedback will be given on essay 2.

Formative feedback will also be given verbally through Q&A and discussion within lecture sessions and in workshops, together with written comments as appropriate, and through the Blackboard Discussion Board..

Recommended reading

Glasson, J., Therivel, R. and Chadwick, A. (2012) Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment, 4th edition, Routledge, London.
Holder, J. and McGillivray, D. (eds.) (2007) Taking Stock of Environmental Assessment- law, policy and practice, Routledge, London.
Lawrence, D.P. (2003) Environmental Impact Assessment: practical solutions to recurrent problems, Wiley-Interscience, New York.
Lee, N. and George, C. (eds.) (2000) Environmental Assessment in Developing and Transitional Countries, Wiley, Chichester
Therivel, R. and Wood, G. (2017) Methods of Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, Routledge, 4th edition.
Morris, P. and Therivel, R. (eds.) (2009) Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment, 3rd edition,  Routledge, London.
Noble, B. (2006) Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment: a guide to principles and practice, OUP, Oxford.
Wood, C. (2003) Environmental Impact Assessment: A Comparative Review, 2nd edition, Longman, Harlow.

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 22
Seminars 6
Independent study hours
Independent study 122

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