Course Title: Consider environmental issues in making engineering decisions

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2010

Course Code: CIVE5697

Course Title: Consider environmental issues in making engineering decisions

School: 130T Engineering (TAFE)

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6093 - Advanced Diploma of Engineering Design

Course Contact : Tony Skinner - Team Leader

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4444

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


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

A.S. (Ahmet) Ertuncay, Program Co-ordinator. 
School of Engineering (TAFE)
Civil Operations
Tel : (03) 9925 8375
Fax : (03) 9925 4377
e-mail ahmet.ertuncay@rmit.edu.au

W.R. (Bill) Harding, Teacher
School of Engineering (TAFE)
Civil Operations
Tel. 9925 4443
Fax. 9925 4377
e-mail: w.harding@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 20

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 and 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.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the principles to be considered for restoration and rehabilitation programs.
3. Analyse the ways in which an enterprise can respond to environmental issues.
4. Apply an environmental management process to a particular engineering enterprise.

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.
 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.
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.
An environmental issue or risk area is identified in the
enterprise.
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.



Learning Outcomes


 


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 (Blackboard) for details of weekly schedule. 
Refer also to the Learning Guide/Package.


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/
Refer also to the On-line Learning Hub and the Learning Guide for further references.


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will incorporate a variety of methods including in-class and home study exercises, written tests, practical problem-solving exercises and, where appropriate, group submissions. 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.


Assessment Tasks

Assessment of this unit will involve completion of
• Four quizzes/questionnaires covering elements 1 and 2.
• A Short Report and an Exam covering elements 3 and 4.


Assessment Matrix

Element Covered Assessment Task Proportion of Final Assessment Submission Time.
1, 2 4 Quizzes/ Questionnaires 4 x 15% = 60 % Week 5, 8,12,15.
3 Short Report Assignment 10% Week 14
4 Examination 30% Last Week

Course Overview: Access Course Overview