SESC9751 — Introduction to Environmental Science

COURSE COORDINATION

Coordinator :	Dr Christian Khalil [Bio]
Contact Details :	Tel : (+612)93855349   •   Fax : (+612)93856190   •   Email : c.khalil@unsw.edu.au

DELIVERY DETAILS		[ Current Schedules and Locations ]

Mode	Session	Type
On campus or Off campus	1	Short Course
Internet based	2	Session

COURSE DETAILS
Units of Credit :	6
Assumed Knowledge :	None -
Description :	This course describes the current and fundamental knowledge in the area of environmental sciences and is a core in the Environmental Science degrees through the Faculty of Science and Technology. Covered are the current global legal frameworks that affect environmental science practice, latest modelling and research in global system and climate change, current practices and directions of environmental planning and impact assessment.
Objectives :	The course objectives cover the current global legal frameworks that affect environmental science practice, latest modeling and research in local and global system and climate change, current practices and directions of environmental planning and impact assessment. The role of the environmental science professional will be explored in guest lectures and tutorials.
Reading :	Manahan SE. (1997). Environmental Science and Technology, Lewis Publishers

ASSESSMENT
Details Due Date Weight Twelve Tutorials TBC 50% Four reports TBC 50%

COURSE SCHEDULE
Week 1 :	Introductory Lecture: Subject Description; Introduction: Current Issues, Current Practice Frameworks; The Scientific Method Approach.
Week 2 :	Global Environmental Issues 1: Scientific Approaches, Global Agendas (ESD, Severe Weather, Extreme Climate Change).
Week 3 :	Global Environmental Issues 2: Global Data and Modeling - Scientific Status - Case Study.
Week 4 :	Environmental Legal Frameworks 1: Global Perspectives, Programs and Implementation
Week 5 :	Environmental Legal Frameworks 2: National and Local Environmental Laws and Changing Practice.
Week 6 :	Environmental Impacts Assessment 1: Current EIA Processes in Australia/Global.
Week 7 :	Environmental Impacts Assessment 2: Issues in Physical System Impact Assessment: Scientific Measurement, Limitations and Validity.
Week 8 :	Environmental Impacts Assessment 3: Current Methods and Practices in Physical System Impact Assessment.
Week 9 :	Environmental Impacts Assessment 4: Current Practice in Biological System Impact Assessment; Ecotoxicology and HIA.
Week 10 :	Environmental Management 1: Frameworks and Systems; ISO1400 Approaches.
Week 11 :	Environmental Management 2: Controls and Programs, Government/Industry Level.
Week 12 :	Environmental Management 3: EPI's (Environmental Performance Indicators) - Case Study - Industry
Week 13 :	Professional Practice 1: Case Study - Contaminated Sites Assessments and Auditing.
Week 14 :	Professional Practice 2: Professional Issues, Consulting, Professional Ethics, Expert Witness.

LEARNING RESOURCES
The University of New South Wales provides a range of resources to help students develop their skills and to realise their full potential. The Learning Centre, located at the entrance to the Library provides guidance material, which is also available on-line.
	The University also provides academic orientation programs called MyStart and ReStart for both new and returning students to help them in their transitions into academia..