Course Title: Environmental Management and Assessment

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Environmental Management and Assessment

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ENVI1049

City Campus

Undergraduate

330H Social Science & Planning

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2006

ENVI1049

City Campus

Undergraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

 Sem 2 2007,
Sem 2 2008,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 1 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2020,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 1 2024

Course Coordinator: Dr Ascelin Gordon

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9930

Course Coordinator Email: ascelin.gordon@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: Building 8, Level 11

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

None


Course Description

The course will introduce you to the influences that shape environmental management, both within government and the business community, by studying theory and practical examples of the use of environmental management tools – specifically Environment Management Systems, Environmental Auditing, Environment Reporting, Life Cycle Assessment. Finally, a key tool of environmental management and policy, Environmental Impact Assessment, will be examined to illustrate its processes and possibilities, but also the subtleties that make it such a promising yet problematical tool. 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Program Learning Outcomes 

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Apply a body of theoretical and practical knowledge of principles and practice of natural resource policy, sustainability, globalisation and environmental management to professional practice or further study. 
  • Critically analyse, synthesise and reflect on knowledge related to the social implications of environmental concerns and challenges both in Australia and globally. 
  • Apply logical, critical and creative thinking to effectively solve a range of problems associated with environmental management and associated policies and programs. 
  • Communicate effectively using appropriate formats, media and styles to a range of audiences including other professionals, the public and government agencies and collaborate partnerships with others. 
  • Assist in the identification of needs, and the design, planning, resourcing and implementation of research and development projects in environmental and social sustainability. 
  • Reflect on the experience of personal and professional practice in international and cross-cultural settings and to act in professionalized settings responsibly, ethically and with integrity. 
 


Course Learning Outcomes 

Upon successful completion of the course you will be able to:

  1. Appreciate the contexts and roles of Environmental Management Systems (EMS), Environmental Auditing, Environmental Reports, Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA);  
  2. Interpret the range of Environmental Reports and Environmental Audits;  
  3. Explore the contents and components of an EMS,  Environmental Reports and Environmental Audits;  
  4. Appreciate what is required in an EMS, Environmental Audit, Environmental Report, LCA, and EIA;  
  5. Appreciate the role that the environmental management approaches play in environmental management generally;  
  6. Appreciate the role that EMSs and EIA play in achieving environmental improvement, and their strengths and weaknesses. 
         


Overview of Learning Activities

The course comprises a mixture of lectures/presentations, workshop sessions and researching areas of environmental management through electronic sources. Students will work independently to develop understanding of aspects of environmental management approaches. Discussion and debate is an integral part of the course whereby the students will be part of a group to discuss ideas and experiences. Some ideas for discussion are suggested throughout the course but students are encouraged to contribute and question freely. 


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems and RMIT library resources. A list of recommended learning resources will be provided by your lecturer, including books, journal articles and web resources. You will also be expected to seek further resources relevant to the focus of your own learning. 

You will be expected to utilise library and electronic resources (as well as any other appropriate resources) to engage in the reading of academic literature.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program capabilities.  

Assessment Tasks

  1. Reviewing Environmental Assessment Task (30%) (Linked to CLO 1, 2 and 3)
  2. Critical Appraisal of Environmental Assessment Case Study Task (40%) (Linked to CLO 2, 5 and 6)
  3. Environment Audit Assessment Task (30%) (Linked to CLO 3, 4, 5 and 6) 

Feedback will be given on all assessment tasks.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions.