BI2ER5-Ecological Aspects of Environmental Impact Assessment

Module Provider: School of Biological Sciences
Number of credits: 10 [5ECTS credits]
Terms in which taught: Spring
Module Convenor: J Mitchley
Pre-requisites:
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Module version for: 2008/9

Email: j.mitchley@reading.ac.uk

Aims:
This module aims to provide students with an introduction to the UK and EU frameworks for environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment, focusing on ecological aspects for biodiversity and nature conservation evaluation.

Assessable learning outcomes:
• Outline the basis of ecological evaluation for biodiversity and nature conservation
• Describe the key elements in the environmental assessment process and their applications in EIA and SEA
• Identify the roles and responsibilities of the various parties involved in the process of environmental assessment
• Understand the roles and limitations of ecologists in the assessment process
• Recognise elements of best practice with regard to ecological aspects of environmental assessment.

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:
• Experience of collection and evaluation of ecological data for biodiversity and nature conservation assessment purposes
• Groundwork for careers in environmental impact assessment and urban amenity and countryside management and biodiversity conservation.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:
Ecological values: Aspects of ecological systems (species, populations, habitats etc.) that contribute to high ecological value, methods for nature conservation evaluation. Sources of environmental impacts and the range of likely impact categories in relation to UK habitat types. The EIA (and SEA) process with special reference to the UK and EU legislation, dealing with scoping, focusing, prediction of impacts, evaluation, mitigation, GIS and survey and analysis.

The teaching and learning process will include lectures, field sessions, case study workshops and literature review.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Lectures		10
Tutorials/seminars		10
Practicals		10
Other contact (eg study visits)
Total hours		30
Number of essays or assignments		1 - report of case study
Other (eg major seminar paper)

Assessment:
Coursework:
Assessed coursework will consist of a case study, to be handed in to the School of Biological Sciences Student Office by midday on Friday of the first week of Summer Term.

Relative percentage of coursework: 50%

Penalties for late submission: In accordance with University policy

Examinations: A one-and-a-half hour examination in Summer Term, requiring answers to two questions from four. (50%)

Requirement for a pass: A mark of 40% overall.

Reassessment Arrangments: Re-examination in August/September only.