SCBB604 – Environmental Assessment
Module code
SCBB604
Module title
Environmental Assessment
Prescription
The aim of this module is to teach biological, microbiological and chemical assessment of the natural environment as a means of understanding the effects of human activities, and to evaluate sustainability issues.
Programmes
- SC0901
NZQA Level
Level 6
NZQA Credits
15
Delivery method
- Web-Enhanced
Learning hours
- Total learning hours
- 150
Resources required
- Learning Outcomes
- 1. Identify, select and conduct sampling protocols suitable for the analysis of water, soil and atmosphere from various sources
2. Assess biodegraded ecosystems and evaluate the likely effectiveness of technologies for their restoration
3. Investigate sustainable use of resources
4. Identify the main problems in waste management, and technologies that may be applied to mitigate them
5. Examine implications of the Treaty of Waitangi in regards to the assessment of the New Zealand environment - Content
- The distribution of components in waters, sampling of waters, chemical analysis of the samples, RMA as it applies to water. Water quality (natural and wastewater), current methods used to monitor and maintain water quality.
The distribution of components in soil, soil stratification, analysis of soil, degraded ecosystems, carbon loss from soil.
The composition of the atmosphere, topical issues related to the atmosphere including global warming, ozone depletion, greenhouse gases and acid rain, the RMA as it applies to air quality and discharge.
The sources and impact of water, soil and atmospheric pollution, and ways of preventing or minimising these.
Waste management: landfills, leachates, catchments, and wastewater.
Treaty of Waitangi and other iwi claims, provisions in New Zealand’s environemental legislation for Maaori values and interests, processes for iwi and hapu participation in New Zealand’s environmental assessment. - Teaching and Learning Strategy
- Teaching methods involve lectures, field trips and practicals, including collection of samples and environmental measurements in the field, processing of those samples and data analysis in the laboratory.
Students will be encouraged to develop an interdisciplinary approach and think from a chemical, ecological and microbiological perspective when processing information and problem solving.
Some practical laboratory work will be undertaken in this module, but students will also use the co-requisite modules for the application and practice of the techniques and skills associated with this module. - Assessment Criteria
- This is an achievement-based module in which students must gain an overall grade of 50% to pass.
- Learning and Teaching Resource
- An extended reading list will be supplied by the lecturer at commencement of the module. This will be updated annually.
