Course Title: Apply knowledge of environmental issues

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2010

Course Code: CIVE5656

Course Title: Apply knowledge of environmental issues

School: 130T Vocational Engineering

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6093 - Advanced Diploma of Engineering Design

Course Contact: Program Manager

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4468

Course Contact Email: vocengineering@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Nominal Hours: 40

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

Nil

Course Description

This unit covers the competency to enter an engineering design office or other technician role with understanding of the effect of engineering on the environment and also the role engineering has in providing solutions to environmental degradation. A soundly based understanding of the science of the environment is essential to informed decision making in this area.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

EDX020B Apply knowledge of environmental issues

Element:

1. Demonstrate knowledge of the major components of the earth’s environment and how these components relate to each other

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The main components of the Earth’s environment can be identified.
1.2 The features that characterise the atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere can be described.
1.3 The impact that the climate has in the overall scheme of the earth’s environment can be explained.

Element:

2. Understand the impact that engineering may have on the natural environment.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Forms of engineering works that have an effect on the earth’s environment can be listed and described.
2.2 A list of benefits for each of these engineering works in regard to its contribution to the human environment and modern society can be given.

Element:

3.Identify key areas of environmental risk to the planet and Australia

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Key areas of environmental risk to the planet and Australia can be identified.
3.2 The range of responses to these risks can be identified.

Element:

4. Demonstrate understanding of environmental concepts.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 The terms “pollution”, “waste minimisation”, “recycling”, “renewable energy”, “closed loop production” and other key environmental concepts relevant to a particular field of engineering can be explained.

Element:

5. Understand the concept of ecologically sustainable development.

Performance Criteria:

5.1 The concept of ecologically sustainable development can be discussed.
5.2 The implications of ESD for the future can be analysed.

Element:

6. Demonstrate awareness of the main aspects of environmental legislation and regulations.

Performance Criteria:

6.1 The current legislative environmental controls and major regulations can be identified and explained.
6.2 A particular engineering enterprise’s responsibilities in relation to the legislation and regulations can be identified.


Learning Outcomes


Refer to the elements


Details of Learning Activities

You will participate in individual and team activities related to typical engineering workplace scenarios. These activities involve class participation (discussions and oral presentations), application of theory to engineering problems, reports, questionnaires, assignments and tests.


Teaching Schedule

See Online in Learning Hub (or electronically transmitted) for details (refer Learning Guide)


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

See Online in Learning Hub (or electronically transmitted) for details (refer Learning Guide)


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment are conducted in both theoretical and practical aspects of the course according to the performance criteria set out in the National Training Package. Students are required to undertake summative assessments that bring together knowledge and skills. To successfully complete this course you will be required to demonstrate competency in each assessment tasks detailed under the Assessment Task Section.

Your assessment for this course will be marked using the following table:

NYC (<50%) Not Yet Competent

CAG (50-59%) Competent - Pass

CC (60-69%) Competent - Credit

CDI (70-79%) Competent - Distinction

CHD (80-100%) Competent - High Distinction


Assessment Tasks

To be deemed competent students must demonstrate an understanding of all elements of a competency.

Students are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment work to their teacher to ensure that the relevant competency standards are being met. Students will be provided with feedback throughout the course to check their progress.

Using primarily student based learning and self-directed research, individual/group based assessment must include two of more of the following:

1. Participate in individual or small group research into environmental disasters that have occurred due to large engineering works in a simulated work environment and provide a written technical report of findings.
2. Self Directed Research
3. Participate in oral presentations based on a case study or workplace scenario.
4. Prepare written statements emphasising engineering enterprises responsibilities in regards to the environment in a simulated work environment

Assessment details:
Assessment 1 – This is either an oral presentation (individual or groups of two) OR an assignment (questionnaires) to cover environmental topics. The environmental topic will be determined based on discussion with your teacher. This assessment will have a weighting of approximately 40% of the final overall assessment mark.
Assessment 2 – This is either a written test (open notes-only one A4 page allowed in examination room) OR a project to cover course content. It will assess your level of understanding of researched material as well as your writing skills. This test will have a weighting of approximately 60% of the final overall assessment mark.

Note: Students will not be entitled to any supplementary work. All assessments need to be passed.


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

The underpinning knowledge and skills for this course are listed in the accreditation document and are available upon request from your instructor.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview