| CODE | EMP5026 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Environmental Impact Assessment | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Environmental Management and Planning | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit critically examines the analytical process of identifying and assessing impacts of major developments on the wider environment, known as Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). EIA is an established tool routinely employed by nations and agencies worldwide. The study-unit explores the theory and practice of EIA and other related assessment processes, as well as the decision-making contexts and institutional and legal frameworks within which they are applied. The study-unit will focus on selected case studies covering a variety of project types and environmental contexts. Through analysis of these, students will develop familiarity with the EIA process and its requirements, and with methodologies used to evaluate impacts across different thematic areas. Emphasis is placed on developing students’ ability to critically assess the quality and effectiveness of specific EIA reports and of wider EIA processes. The unit will focus on EIA procedures within Malta and the European Union. Guest speakers will provide real-world insights on challenges involved in EIA practice. Study-Unit Aims: - To provide students with practice-orientated exposure to approaches used in assessing impacts; - To develop students’ ability to critically assess the quality of EIA reports and of wider EIA processes; - To promote an understanding of practical challenges involved in EIA implementation; - To promote an understanding of EIA as a multi-faceted technical, planning, social and political instrument. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Determine whether or not a particular project would require an EIA; - Differentiate between different key stages and elements of EIA; - Identify elements of good practice in the conduct of EIA; - Recognise the role of EIA in communicating the interests of different stakeholder groups; - Relate the practice of EIA to its theoretical foundations. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Develop writing and presentation skills for the communication of scientific impact assessment findings to technical and non-technical audiences; - Develop the ability to liaise across disciplines and sectors to comprehensively and accurately assess environmental impacts; - Provide a critical and evidence-based appraisal of the strengths and weaknesses of specific EIA reports; - Further develop skills for self-managed learning. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Glasson, J. and Therivel, K. (2019) Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment. Routledge. (Older editions available at UM library). + additional readings to be provided |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture, Online Learning, Seminar and Tutorials | ||||||||||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Elisabeth Conrad |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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