
MSc Environmental Impact Assessment & Management / Course details
Year of entry: 2024
- View tabs
- View full page
Course unit details:
EIA Project
Unit code | PLAN60452 |
---|---|
Credit rating | 15 |
Unit level | FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree |
Teaching period(s) | Semester 2 |
Available as a free choice unit? | Yes |
Overview
This module will provide you with practical experience of undertaking elements of the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process for a project based in the Greater Manchester area. It develops practical knowledge and skills in relation to project design and planning and undertaking environmental impact assessment. Each student is to provide advice to a client organisation that has land holdings in the Greater Manchester area and seeks to take forward medium- to large- scale, mixed-use development of a particular site.
Aims
- To provide experience in undertaking the early stages of an EIA to provide advice to a client.
- To provide experience in site evaluation, project development and approaches to impact assessment.
- To enable students to develop self-learning capabilities and to demonstrate them in small group sessions
- To provide experience in writing reports relating to the preliminary stages of EIA.
- To gain experience in project management and team work.
- To present work, using a variety of means, to an appropriate professional standard.
Syllabus
There are three sections to this course unit based around three assignments. The context for any development proposals is the core strategy prepared by the relevant local authority, which will guide the analysis of constraints relating to the site and potential alternatives for future development, followed by the approach to assessing the impacts of the alternative(s) identified. The brief consists of two stages: Site analysis and development of potential development options, and Identification of key impacts and outlining an approach to their assessment.
Students work initially in a group collecting and analysing data about their ‘site’, and following presentation of the outputs, move forward as an individual to focus on key impacts and the provision of guidance to the ‘notional’ client.
Teaching and learning methods
Introductory lectures to each stage,
Bespoke GIS for EIA session
Workshops with practitioners on assessing various impact types
Weekly drop-in sessions (group)
Initially you will work in small groups to undertake research on the site and gather relevant materials, data, etc., for the group presentation on key site features and potential options for development. Following the group presentation, you will work as individuals, and draw on the presentation and your own further analysis to explore potential impacts and their assessment.
Knowledge and understanding
Understand some of the practice-based challenges in EIA
Intellectual skills
Undertake research and data aquisition relevant to the context of a project
Practical skills
Present work to a professional standard in bot written and verbal formats
Prepare written reports in detail relating to the EIA process
Transferable skills and personal qualities
Work effectively as a member of a group in producing work
Overcome challenges, both as a member of a team and as an individual through appropriate team management
Assessment methods
Method | Weight |
---|---|
Other | 30% |
Report | 40% |
Oral assessment/presentation | 30% |
Group presentation (10 minutes) 30% weighting
Group presentation (15 minutes) 30% weighting
Individual Report (1000 words) 40% weighting
Feedback methods
Feedback on submitted work is provided within 15 working days via Turnitin
Recommended reading
Indicative Reading List
Glasson, J., Therivel, R. and Chadwick, A. (2019) Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment, Routledge, Abingdon, 5th edition.
Landscape Institute/Institute of Environmental Assessment (2013) Guidelines for Landscape and Visual Impact Assessment third edition, Routledge, London. Full text available online through University Library.
Morris, P. and Therivel, R. (eds.) (2018) Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment, UCL Press, London, 4th edition
Online resources
Communities and Local Government, UK:
https://www.gov.uk/government/policies/planning-system
You should explore issues relating to planning policy, guidance, etc.
Town and Country Planning (Environmental Impact Assessment) Regulations 2017 No. 571 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2017/571/contents/made
Department of Transport (nd) Environmental Assessment Design Manual for Roads and Bridges, Volume 11 (updated), HMSO, London.
http://www.standardsforhighways.co.uk/ha/standards/dmrb/vol11/index.htm
European Commission:
http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eia/home.htm
European Commission (2001) Guidance on EIA: EIS Review, Directorate General for Environment, EC, Brussels: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/eia/eia-guidelines/g-review-full-text.pdf
European Commission (2001) Guidance on EIA: Scoping, Directorate General for Environment, EC, Brussels: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/eia/eia-guidelines/g-scoping-full-text.pdf
European Commission (2001) Guidance on EIA: Screening, Directorate General for Environment, EC, Brussels: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/archives/eia/eia-guidelines/g-screening-full-te
Study hours
Scheduled activity hours | |
---|---|
Fieldwork | 3 |
Lectures | 3 |
Practical classes & workshops | 14 |
Independent study hours | |
---|---|
Independent study | 130 |
Teaching staff
Staff member | Role |
---|---|
Andrew Snow | Unit coordinator |