Course Code: C207

Course Title: Environmental Assessment

College: SOAS CEDEP

Course Director: Ben Daley

Course Description: This module provides an understanding of the processes and techniques for assessing the impacts of proposed actions on the environment, across a range of decision levels. It demonstrates the types of information required for assessing the impacts of a proposal on specific environmental parameters. The module provides an understanding of the relationship between Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) / Sustainability Assessment (SA). It provides a basis for the practical application of environmental assessment skills; it also gives examples and case studies illustrative of key aspects of professional practice for environmental managers.

Overall learning aims:
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
•    define environmental impact assessment and strategic environmental assessment, and describe the main stages of their respective processes
•    describe how environmental assessment (EA) is implemented in a range of countries
•    understand the relationships between EIA and SEA
•    apply a range of methods to various stages of the assessment process
•    understand how impacts on specific environmental parameters may be assessed
•    apply environmental assessment skills in practice
•    critically assess EIA and SEA as practical planning decision support tools

Scope and Syllabus
Unit 1 Introduction to environmental impact assessment (EIA)
Unit 2 Introduction to strategic environmental assessment (SEA)
Unit 3 Environmental assessment law
Unit 4 EIA procedures and methods
Unit 5 SEA procedures and methods
Unit 6 Public participation in environmental assessment
Unit 7 Impacts upon the physical environment: water, air and land
Unit 8 Assessment of ecological impacts
Unit 9 Assessment of impacts on humans
Unit 10 Challenges for environmental assessment

Assessment: Exam: 100%

Course Credit: All SOAS CeDEP short course students receive a certificate of completion. Students of SOAS CeDEP Short Courses who may wish to transfer credit to Certificate, Diploma or Masters-level programmes are advised to select short courses which also act as Core Modules on CeDEP’s various programmes.

Course Study Hours/Duration: 240 hrs over 35 weeks

Schedule of Availability: Feb –Oct (Enrolment deadline of 30th November to start in February the following year).

Delivery Mechanisms: Print, CD-Rom, Online Discussion/Learning Environment

Cost: £960

How to apply: To enquire about applying for this course, or for any other information, please contact the Course Administrator using the online Enquiry Form below