Syllabus 2011/2012 FMIN10

Syllabus academic year 2011/2012
(Created 2011-09-01.)

ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS STUDIES: ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT

FMIN10

Credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Cycle: A (Second Cycle). Main field: Technology. Language of instruction: The course will be given in Swedish. FMIN10 overlaps following cours/es: FMI085. Optional for: L4fr, V4. Course coordinator: Charlotte Malmgren, charlotte.malmgren@miljo.lth.se, Environmental and Energy Systems Studies. Prerequisites: GEMF01, FMI031, FMIF15 or VTVA05. Recommended prerequisits: Minimum 130 credits within the program. Assessment: A written examination. Several assignments or a project are required. They should be performed individually or in small groups and presented both orally and in writing. Participation in seminars, presentations and study visits is mandatory. Home page: http://www.miljo.lth.se.

Aim
The general aim of the course is that students should acquire knowledge about the use of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) in planning and decision-making, that they should be stimulated to discuss the possibilities and limitations of EIA, and that they should be trained in critical thinking.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

Be able to describe the aims, development, scope and methods for Environmental Impact Assessment from a national perspective.
Be able to analyse 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 in the Swedish planning and decision-making system, and be able to contribute to a discussions of these matters.

Skills and abilities
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 parts of an Environmental Impact Assessment, making use of his/her own specialist knowledge.
Be able to analyse critically Environmental Impact Assessment, it's strengths and weaknesses.

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

Show ability to reflect on his/her learning process.

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 EIA in connection with projects and EIA in the Swedish planning and decision-making system. The course also deals with assessment of environmental impacts 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, possibly a field trip. By taking part in the completion of parts of an Environmental Impact Assessment and by critically analyzing existing EIAs, the course participants are acuainted with different methods and with the strengths and weaknesses of EIA as a method.

Literature
Kjellander, C, Hedlund, A: MKB introduktion till miljökonsekvensbeskrivning. Studentlitteratur 2007.
Handbok med allmänna råd om miljöbedömning av planer och program. Naturvårdsverket 2009.
Wallentinus, H-G (red.): MKB. perspektiv på miljökonsekvensbeskrivning. Lund: Studentlitteratur 2007.
Myndighetspublikationer, artiklar, stenciler.
Referens: Glasson, J, Therivel, R, Chadwick A: Introduction to environmental impact assessment. Routledge 2005 (3rd edition).
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.