Course syllabus

Miljösystemanalys: Miljökonsekvensbeskrivning
Environmental Systems Studies: Environmental Impact Assessment

TFRN55, 15 credits, A (Second Cycle)

Valid for: Single courses at LTH spring 2018
Decided by: PLED W
Date of Decision: 2017-06-19

General Information

Depth of study relative to the degree requirements: Second cycle, has only first-cycle course/s as entry requirements.
Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish

Aim

The general aim of the course is that students should acquire knowledge about the use of Environmental Impact Assessment in planning and decision-making, that they should be stimulated to discuss the possibilities and limitations of Environmental Impact Assessment, and that they should train their skills in critical thinking, in identifying and defining a problem and in writing scientific reports and papers.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to describe the aims, development, scope and methods for Environmental Impact Assessment internationally and nationally.
• Be able to analyze critically the possibilities and limitations of Environmental Impact Assessment as a tool in the quest for sustainable development.
• Be familiar with the conditions and forms for a systematic use of Environmental Impact Assessment, especially in the Swedish planning and decision-making system, and be able to contribute to discussions in these matters.

Competences and skills
For a passing grade the student must

• Be able to apply different methods of Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Be able to contribute to the performance of an Environmental Impact Assessment, making use of his/her own specialist knowledge.
• Present and discuss the conclusions reached for the chosen Environmental Impact Assessment.
• Be able to independently formulate and define a relevant problem within the field, make an analysis and present the work in the form of a scientific paper.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

• Show ability to reflect on his/her learning process.
• Show awareness of the complexity and rapid changes of the environmental tool, and in the possibilities and limitations of the chosen methods.

Contents

The course highlights how Environmental Impact Assessment has developed and is used in Sweden as a tool to provide the general public and decision makers with a preliminary assessment of probable effects on health, environment and society of alternative actions, related to decisions regarding legislation, aims/policy, programmes and projects/activities.

The course discusses the prerequisites and forms for using Environmental Impact Assessment of effects from projects, EIA in the Swedish planning and decision-making system. The course also deals with assessment of environmental effects of certain plans and programmes: Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA).

The instruction consists of lectures, seminars, simulation, role-play, practical exercises in Environmental Impact Assessment and quality control, the writing of a paper, study visits/field work. Part of the course content is discussed at literature seminars. By taking part in the completion of an Environmental Impact Assessment, the course participants train both their ability to plan and perform a group project and the use of different methods in EIA. The individual paper comprises the application of EIA/SEA-related issues to deepen the knowledge within a more restricted field.

Examination details

Grading scale: UV - (U,G,VG) - (Fail, Pass, Pass with Distinction)
Assessment: Continuous assessment of the student’s work is made during exercises, seminars, discussions, and presentations, as well as in a written paper discussed at the final seminar. A small written exam at mid-term. For the paper to be graded, the course director should have been able to follow the working process. Participation in seminars, presentations and study visits is mandatory. The final grade is based half on the individual paper and seminar and half on the Environmental Impact Assessment report and individual quality assessment.

The examiner, in consultation with Disability Support Services, may deviate from the regular form of examination in order to provide a permanently disabled student with a form of examination equivalent to that of a student without a disability.

Parts
Name: Examination Part 1.
Credits: 9. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: Approved exercizes and written assignments including an EIA report
Name: Examination Part 2.
Credits: 6. Grading scale: UG. Assessment: Approved paper and critical discussion

Admission

Admission requirements:

• Minimum 130 ECTS credits of relevance to the subject including minimum 6 ECTS credits from an interdisciplinary course in environmental studies/sustainable development

The course overlaps following course/s: MIV230, FMI085, FMIN10, FMIN40

Reading list

• Glasson, J, Therivel, R, Chadwick A: Introduction to environmental impact assessment. Routledge, 2012. (latest edition).
• Kjellander C & Hedlund A: MKB – introduktion till miljökonsekvensbeskrivning. Studentlitteratur , 2007.
• Handbok med allmänna råd om miljöbedömningar av planer och program. Naturvårdsverket , 2009.
• Wallentinus, H-G (red.): MKB. perspektiv på miljökonsekvensbeskrivning. Studentlitteratur , 2007.
• Articles and reports.
• The reading list is established each year. Due to the rapid development within the field, this list, valid this year, can be subject to changes.
• Morris P. & Therivel R.: Methods of environmental impact assessment. Taylor & Francis, 2009, ISBN: 978-0-415-44175-9.

Contact and other information

Course coordinator: Jamil Khan, jamil.khan@miljo.lth.se
Course homepage: http://miljo.lth.se/utbildning/fristaaende-kurser/tfrn55-miljoekonsekvensbeskrivning/
Further information: Examination outside the course period (including defense of individual paper), can be arranged during exam periods.