121-532 Environmental Impact Assessment

Formerly available as 121-003/420 Social Environmental Assessment. Students who have completed 121-003/420 are not eligible to enrol in this subject.

This subject prepares students for environmental management roles by providing them with the principles of how human impacts on the environment might be detected and managed. The principles will be placed within the legal and social contexts of environmental impact assessment. At the completion of the subject, students should understand three aspects: prediction of the kind of changes that might occur with human activities; the design and implementation of proper monitoring programs that can detect changes; and assessment of those changes. Additionally, a strong emphasis is placed on the practical implementation of principles using a field-based approach.

• be able to understand critical theories of environmental impact assessment;

• be able to critique Environmental Impact Statements effectively;

• be able to apply knowledge to new situations.

A design exercise of 2000 words 40% (due mid semester) and a critique of an EES of 3000 words 60% for 4th year students (due early June). A design exercise of 2000 words 30% (due mid semester) and a critique of an EES of 4000 words 70% for master students (due early June).