Course Title: Consider environmental issues in making engineering decisions

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2008

Course Code: CIVE5598

Course Title: Consider environmental issues in making engineering decisions

School: 130T Infra, Electrotec & Build Serv

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6066 - Advanced Diploma of Civil Engineering (Structural Design)

Course Contact : Tony Skinner Program Coordinator

Course Contact Phone: (03) 9925 4444

Course Contact Email:tony.skinner@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Program Coordinator:
Mr Tony Skinner
Tel. 9925 4444
Fax. 99254377
Email: tony.skinner@rmit.edu.au

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

EDX020 – Demonstrate awareness of environmental issues
EDX010 – Communicate and apply standard industry procedures and policies in an engineering design office
EDX030 – Estimate costs and prepare basic tendering documentation

Course Description

This unit covers the competency to apply environmental management principles and environmental
legislative and regulatory requirements when undertaking engineering design and management
activities.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

EAX050 Consider environmental issues in making engineering decisions

Element:

Analyse the ways in which an enterprise can respond to environmental issues.

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The range of approaches that an enterprise can take to environmental management is evaluated.
1.2 The links between environmental management and other enterprise activities are identified, including research and
development, occupational health and safety and risk
management.
1.3 The roles and responsibilities of enterprise personnel in relation to implementing sound environmental practices can be identified.
1.4 Enterprise processes and practices which need to be reviewed and monitored can be identified.
1.5 The parameters of an enterprise environmental policy can be identified.
1.6 Documents and reports concerning including research, impact studies and audits can be analysed.
1.7 The purpose and steps in an environmental impact study can be explained.
1.8 The purpose and steps in an environmental audit can be explained.

Element:

Apply an environmental management process to a particular engineering enterprise.

Performance Criteria:

2.1 An environmental issue or risk area is identified in the
enterprise.
2.2 The problem or issue is clearly identified.
2.3 A detailed action plan is developed for addressing this
need.
2.4 The implementation of the plan is costed.
2.5 The critical factors for success are identified.
2.6 An evaluation process is described.

Element:

Demonstrate knowledge of methods used for monitoring the environment and the responsible authorities.

Performance Criteria:

3.1 The meaning of ‘environmental control’ can be explained.
3.2 The purpose and elements of an Environmental Management plan can be outlined.
3.3 The authorities responsible for control can be listed and the scope of their authority explained.
3.4 The relevant standards can be listed and their scope explained.
3.5 The methods for monitoring the various pollutants known to man can be listed and briefly explained.
3.6 The methods used for preventing or minimising the various
effects of pollution can be described.

Element:

Demonstrate knowledge of the principles to be considered for restoration and rehabilitation programs.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 The meanings of the term restoration, reclamation, revegetation, and rehabilitation can be explained and the
principles behind each technique outlined.
4.2 The benefits of the above techniques for both the human And natural environment can be discussed.
4.3 A variety of methods used for restoring and rehabilitating reclaimed land areas can be listed and described.


Learning Outcomes


Analyse the ways in which an enterprise can respond to environmental issues.

Apply an environmental management process to a particular engineering enterprise.

Demonstrate knowledge of methods used for monitoring the environment and the responsible authorities.

Demonstrate knowledge of the principles to be considered for restoration and rehabilitation programs.


Details of Learning Activities

Teacher directed
• Outline the meaning of ‘environmental control’ and the purpose of the elements of an Environmental Management Plan.
• Explain the methods for monitoring pollutants as well as the methods used for preventing or minimizing the effects of pollution.
• Explain the principles behind restoration, reclamation, revegetation, and rehabilitation techniques.
• Identify the links between environmental management and other enterprise activities including research and development, occupational health and safety and risk management.
• Describe the roles and responsibilities of enterprise personnel in relation to implementing sound environmental practices.
• Identify the enterprise policies, processes, and practices which need to be reviewed and monitored.
• Describe the purpose and stages in an environmental impact study and an environmental audit.
Student based activities
• Research the authorities responsible for environmental control and the scope of their authority.
• Research environmental areas.
• Analyse and discuss environmental issues with colleagues.
• Report on the environmental management processes applicable to specified engineering projects in a simulated work environment.
• Group discussion of the benefits of restoration, reclamation, revegetation, and rehabilitation for both the human and natural environment.
• Analyse typical documents and reports on research, impact studies and audits under direction from the teacher.

• An environmental issue or risk area is identified and the following steps taken:
o The problem or issue is clearly defined.
o A detailed action plan is developed for addressing the need.
o The implementation of the plan is costed.
o The critical factors for success are identified.
o An evaluation process is described.


Teaching Schedule

See Online Learning Hub for details.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

Notes available on Blackboard (DLS) for this unit.


References

1. Beyond technicalities: Expanding engineering thinking’ Journal of Professional Issues in Engineering, 125 (1), January 1999, pp. 12 – 18.
2. Environmental impact statements, Bregman, Jacob, 2nd edition, Lewis publishers, c1999.
3. http://www.environetbase.com/


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

This unit will be assessed in the classroom using holistic assessment, based on typical workplace activities.
Assessment will involve completion of :
• Two comprehensive questionnaires covering elements 1 and 2,
• Two major assignments covering elements 3 and 4


Assessment Tasks

Assessment of this unit will involve completion of
• Four comprehensive questionnaires covering elements 1 and 2.
• Two major assignments covering elements 3 and 4.


Assessment Matrix

 

Element Covered Assessment Task  Proportion of Final Assessment Submission Time
1,2 4 Questionnaires 60 % Week 12
3 Assignment 20 % Week 7 
4  Assignment  20 % Week 17

Course Overview: Access Course Overview