ENVI3888: Semester 2, 2021

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Units ENVI3888 Semester 2 2021 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

ENVI3888: Environmental Impact Assessment Project

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Understanding and being able to undertake Environmental Assessment is a challenge for graduates of many academic disciplines. This unit will investigate the history, strengths, weaknesses and potential of various forms of environmental assessment through an integrated project that enables students to build on their disciplinary knowledge, work in cross-disciplinary teams and develop an interdisciplinary approach and knowledge. You will learn the methods of environmental assessment, and to understand critically the theory and practice of Environmental Assessment from both positive (scientific) and normative (value) perspectives. The positive perspective will focus on the scientific aspects of the assessment process, the quality of science in Environmental Assessment, mitigation measures. By doing this unit, you will develop teamwork skills, decision-making skills, research and communication skills and a knowledge of environmental assessment relevant for future employment. There will also be involvement from organisations that are potential employers of graduates from this major.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	GEOS2X21 and (GOVT2228 or AREC2003 or GEOS2X11)
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ENVI3112 or ENVI3912
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Jeffrey Neilson, jeffrey.neilson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Phil McManus, phil.mcmanus@sydney.edu.au
	Robert Fisher, robert.fisher@sydney.edu.au
	Emma Thompson, e.thompson@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Essay incorporating a Literature review Written assignment	35%	Week 05 Due date: 10 Sep 2021 at 17:00	2500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflection Reflection	10%	Week 11 Due date: 29 Oct 2021 at 17:00	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Group Report Written report	40%	Week 12	3000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Group Presentation Groupwork presentation to synthesize & communicate key points.	15%	Week 13	20 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	1. Unit of study goals, structure and requirements 2. Introduction to the Environmental Impact Assessment Project	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Organisation into groups for project work	Practical (2 hr)
Week 02	1. Overview of Environmental Impact Statement procedures; 2. Environmental assessment in New South Wales	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Environmental Studies disciplinary knowledge	Practical (2 hr)
Week 03	Social Impact Assessment	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Social Impact Assessment practice	Practical (2 hr)
Week 04	Assessing biodiversity impacts	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Biodiversity Impacts Practice	Practical (2 hr)
Week 05	Biodiversity offsets and impact assessment	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Biodiversity offsets in practice	Practical (2 hr)
Week 06	Assessing climate change and cumulative impacts	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Commence group work	Project (2 hr)
Week 07	Science communication workshop	Practical (4 hr)
Week 08	Project group work	Project (2 hr)
Week 09	Sustainability at Taronga Zoo	Workshop (4 hr)
Week 10	Project group work	Project (4 hr)
Week 11	Careers in science and sustainability	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Project group work	Project (2 hr)
Week 12	Project group work	Project (4 hr)
Week 13	Group presentations	Presentation (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: Unless otherwise indicated, students are expected to attend a minimum of 80% of timetabled activities for a unit of study, unless granted exemption by the associate dean. For some units of study the minimum attendance requirement, as specified in the relevant table of units or the unit of study outline, may be greater than 80%. The associate dean may determine that a student has failed a unit of study because of inadequate attendance.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. demonstrate an understanding of key concepts in environmental assessment
LO2. understand the history and forms of environmental assessment
LO3. apply the basic concepts to a group-work, project based assessment exercise
LO4. critically evaluate existing literature and assessment processes
LO5. engage in group-work and decision-making to review an environmental assessment
LO6. find and analyse information and judge its reliability and significance
LO7. create a report that synthesises knowledge and critique of an environmental assessment
LO8. communicate the group's knowledge in an accessible format for a general audience
LO9. Understand and be able to communicate the subject area of Environmental Studies.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Assessment weighting has been altered to have a stronger individual rather than group component.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health
and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

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