Course Title: Ethics, Policy and Law in Environmental Engineering

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Ethics, Policy and Law in Environmental Engineering

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

OENG1041

City Campus

Undergraduate

120H Civil, Environmental & Chemical Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

OENG1041

City Campus

Undergraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2022

Course Coordinator: Associate Prof. Jorge Paz-Ferreiro

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3

Course Coordinator Email: jorge.paz-ferreiro@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: office or email


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

This course comprises three components relevant to your future professional practice as an Environmental Engineer: Ethics; Policy and Law

The Ethics component introduces the moral framework(s) upon which ethical decision making is based and includes a close study of the evolution and formulation of professional engineering code(s) of ethics. You will be encouraged to recognise and reconsider your assumptions and attitudes relating to the assessment, sustainability and performance of natural, built and social systems. Different perspectives arising from case studies will be analysed from the viewpoint of a professional engineer. 

The Policy component explores the basis of environmental and indigenous policy within engineering projects, especially the structure of a good environmental policy. Case studies and examples are explored to build policy skills and knowledge.

The Law component briefly reviews the legal basis and structure of environmental legislation –especially the key acts of parliament, regulations and various international treaties. Law underpins the very purpose of environmental engineering, and this component builds the skills and knowledge needed for a graduate environmental engineer.

WAM statement:

Please note that if you take this course for a bachelor honours program, your overall mark in this course will be one of the course marks that will be used to calculate the weighted average mark (WAM) that will determine your award level. (This applies to students who commence enrolment in a bachelor honours program from 1 January 2016 onward. See the WAM information web page for more information.)

The WAM web page link:

http://www1.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=eyj5c0mo77631


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the Program Learning Outcomes for BH080 Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Honours)

1 Knowledge and Skill Base

1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.

1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.

1.5. Knowledge of contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.

1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the specific discipline.

3 Professional and Personal Attributes

3.1. Ethical conduct and professional accountability

3.4. Professional use and management of information.

3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.


On successful completion of the course, you should be able to:

  1. Argue the advantages of behaving as an ethical professional engineer
  2. Read and interpret texts and research articles about ethical conundrums
  3. Propose and justify solutions for ethical problems
  4. Communicate your findings effectively as a written report and as an audio-visual presentation
  5. Provide an overview of the basic elements of the legal and regulatory framework in relation to environmental law
  6. Propose a framework for the development of policy in complex environmental issues 


Overview of Learning Activities

  • The course involves lectures, tutorial/workshop sessions, online fora, individual work and team-based activities. 
  • Students will utilise case studies of ethical systems failure and will analyse the environmental, engineering and economic implications associated with these incidents.
  • Review of environmental law case studies and the development of environmental policy.


Overview of Learning Resources

Current literature and bespoke resources will be used as required and as appropriate to the study area(s). The textbook, Buckeridge J. 4 Es: Ethics, Engineering, Economics & Environment.2nd Edition, Federation Press, has been written specifically for the Ethics Module of this course. 


Overview of Assessment

Note that: ☒This course has no hurdle requirements.

Individual Assessments (45%).

CLOs 1,2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Groups Assessments 2 (35%)

CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

Individual Test (20% )

CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6