Course Title: Consider environmental issues in making engineering decisions

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2015

Course Code: CIVE5717

Course Title: Consider environmental issues in making engineering decisions

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:engineering-tafe@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Program Manager:
Mr A.S. (Ahmet) Ertuncay
School of Vocational Engineering (SoVE) - Civil Engineering 
Tel : (03) 9925 8375
Fax : (03) 9925 4377
e-mail ahmet.ertuncay@rmit.edu.au

Teacher
Mr W.R. (Bill) Harding
School of Vocational Engineering (SoVE) - Civil Engineering
Tel : (03) 9925 4443
Fax : (03) 9925 4377
e-mail w.harding@rmit.edu.au

Teacher
Ms A. Lopez
School of Vocational Engineering (SoVE) - Civil Engineering
Tel: (03) 9925 4823
Fax : (03) 9925 4377
e-mail annabelle.lopez@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

EDX010B Communicate and apply standard industry procedures and policies in an engineering design office.

Course Description

This unit of competency deals with the skills and knowledge required to apply environmental management principles an environmental legislative and regulatory requirements when undertaking engineering design and management activities.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

EAX050B Consider environmental issues in making engineering decisions

Element:

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

Performance Criteria:

1.1 The meaning of ‘environmental control’ can be explained.
1.2 The purpose and elements of an Environmental Management plan can be outlined.
1.3 The authorities responsible for control can be listed and the scope of their authority explained.
1.4 The relevant standards can be listed and their scope explained.
1.5 The methods for monitoring the various pollutants known to man can be listed and briefly explained.
1.6 The methods used for preventing or minimising the various effects of pollution can be described
 

Element:

4. Apply an environmental management process to a particular engineering enterprise.

Performance Criteria:

4.1 An environmental issue or risk area is identified in the enterprise.
4.2 The problem or issue is clearly identified.
4.3 A detailed action plan is developed for addressing this need.
4.4 The implementation of the plan is costed.
4.5 The critical factors for success are identified.
4.6 An evaluation process is described.
 

Element:

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

Performance Criteria:

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

Element:

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

Performance Criteria:

3.1 The range of approaches that an enterprise can take to environmental management is evaluated.
3.2 The links between environmental management and other enterprise activities are identified, including research and development, occupational health and safety and risk management.
3.3 The roles and responsibilities of enterprise personnel in relation to implementing sound environmental practices can be identified.
3.4 Enterprise processes and practices which need to be reviewed and monitored can be identified.
3.5 The parameters of an enterprise environmental policy can be identified.
3.6 Documents and reports concerning including research, impact studies and audits can be analysed.
3.7 The purpose and steps in an environmental impact study can be explained.
3.8 The purpose and steps in an environmental audit can be explained.
 


Learning Outcomes


Refer to elements


Details of Learning Activities

You will be involved in the following learning activities to meet requirements for this course and stage 1 competencies for Engineering Associates

• Lectures/Tutorials
• Workshops/Discussions
• Projects/Research Work/Team Work
• Self-Directed Learning
• Site Visit/Excursion/Guest Speaker (TBA)
 


Teaching Schedule

Week        Topics Delivered Element/Performance Criteria
1 Introduction to course, course guide, assessment, topics breakdown, resources, OHS issues. 1.6, 2.1, 3.7, 4.1
2 Main Concepts in Monitoring, Restoration & Rehabilitation  1.6, 2.1
3 Main Concepts in Environmental Impact Assessments & Environmental Management Process  3.6, 3.7, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3
4

Main Concepts in Environmental Impact Assessments & Environmental Management Process  Quiz (5%)

 1.6, 2.1, 3.7, 4.1
5 Environmental Monitoring:  Case Study, Aquatic Effects Monitoring Program  1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
6 Environmental Monitoring: Case Study, Wildlife Effects Monitoring Program  1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
7 Environmental Monitoring: Case Study, Air Quality Monitoring Program 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6
8

Environmental Restoration/Rehabilitation:  Case Study Mine Site Rehabilitation Concepts & Stages    Project Hand in (40%)

 1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.8, 4.2, 4.3
9 Environmental Restoration/Rehabilitation: Case Study Mine Site Restoration & Final Stages  2.1, 2.2, 2.3
10 Environmental Restoration/Rehabilitation: Case Study River Restoration Project    2.1, 2.2, 2.3
11 Environmental Impact Assessment - Concepts and Definitions  3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8
12 Environmental Impact Assessment - Process  3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8
13 Environmental Impact Assessment - Phases & Types of Studies  3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.8
14

Environmental Management Process - What and Why
Quiz (5%)

 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6
15 Environmental Management Process - The Model  4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6
16 Environmental Management Process - Recap  4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6
17-18 Theory Test (50%)  1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.7, 3.8, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

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


Other Resources

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/
 


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

  • Quizzes, 2 x 5%
  • Project, 40%
  • Theory Test, 50%

Questions about specific assessments and marks obtained by students may not be entertained if later than 1 week after results are communicated
 


Assessment Matrix

Assessment vs EAX050B Elements & Performance Criteria
 

  EAX050B Elements & Performance Criteria
Assessments 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 2.1 2.2 2.3 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 3.8 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6
Quizzes           X X                 X   X X X X X X
Project X X X X X X   X X X X X X X X   X   X X      
Theory Test X X X X X X X X X X X X X  X X X  X  X  X  X  X  X  X

Other Information

 Student directed hours involve completing activities such as reading online resources, project work, individual student-teacher course-related consultation. Students are required to self-study the learning materials and complete the assigned out of class activities for the scheduled non-teaching hours. The estimated time is 40 hours outside the class time.

Credit Transfer and/or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):

You may be eligible for credit towards courses in your program if you have already met the learning/competency outcomes through previous learning and/or industry experience. To be eligible for credit towards a course, you must demonstrate that you have already completed learning and/or gained industry experience that is:

• Relevant
• Current
• Satisfies the learning/competency outcomes of the course

Please refer to http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/enrolment/credit  to find more information about credit transfer and RPL.

Study and Learning Support:

Study and Learning Centre (SLC) provides free learning and academic development advice to you. Services offered by SLC to support your numeracy and literacy skills are:

• Assignment writing, thesis writing and study skills advice
• Maths and science developmental support and advice
• English language development

Please refer to http://www.rmit.edu.au/studyandlearningcentre  to find more information about Study and Learning Support.

Disability Liaison Unit:

If you are suffering from long-term medical condition or disability, you should contact Disability Liaison Unit to seek advice and support to complete your studies.

Please refer to http://www.rmit.edu.au/disability  to find more information about services offered by Disability Liaison Unit.

Late Submission:

If you require an Extension of Submittable Work (assignments, reports or project work etc.) for seven calendar days or less (from the original due date) and have valid reasons, you must complete an Application for Extension of Submittable Work (7 Calendar Days or less) form and lodge it with the Senior Educator/ Program Manager.

The application must be lodged no later than one working day before the official due date. You will be notified within no more than two working days of the date of lodgement as to whether the extension has been granted.

If you seek an Extension of Submittable Work for more than seven calendar days (from the original due date), you must lodge an Application for Special Consideration form under the provisions of the Special Consideration Policy, preferably prior to, but no later than two working days after the official due date.

Submittable Work (assignments, reports or project work etc.) submitted late without approval of an extension will not be accepted or marked.

Special Consideration:

Please refer to http://www.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration  to find more information about special consideration.

Plagiarism:

Plagiarism is a form of cheating and it is very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the university.

Please refer to http://www.rmit.edu.au/academicintegrity to find more information about plagiarism.

Email Communication:

All email communications will be sent to your RMIT email address and you must regularly check your RMIT emails.

Course Overview: Access Course Overview