Curricular Unit:			Code:
Impact Assessment			823AIMP
Year:	Level:	Course:	Credits:
3	Undergraduate	Environmental Engineering	5 ects
Learning Period:		Language of Instruction:	Total Hours:
		Portuguese/English	65
Learning Outcomes of the Curricular Unit:
On this UC, processes and operations that integrate the systems for environmental impact assessment of projects as well as strategic environmental assessment of plans and programs will be addressed. Students should be able to apply the acquired knowledge, so evidencing a professional approach to the issues being confronted with specific problems which must know to give its reasoned response. Moreover, critical analysis of real environmental impact reports as well as field trips to sites of ongoing projects will be made. It is also the aim of the course presentation and implementation of current legislation of concern. Additional soft skills to be worked on are: • Work autonomously and in a team; • Ability to for Planning and Organization; • Ability to make decisions; • Ability to self-learning; • Ability to apply knowledge; • Ability to adapt to new situations; • Ability of Oral and Written Communication; • Development of interpersonal relations.
Syllabus:
Impact Assessment (IA): definition and concepts; classification of actions submitted to Impact Assessment; the impacts classification; the IA techniques; the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) stages. Technical content and methodologies for the elaboration of the Environmental Report: stages, functions and techniques of the EIA; The nontechnical report; Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA): Technical content and methodologies for the elaboration of the Environmental report.
Demonstration of the Syllabus Coherence with the Curricular Unit's Objectives:
The syllabus covers the goals formulated for the course including the methodological processes of the Impact Assessment and presenting the legislation on this matter.
Teaching Methodologies (Including Evaluation):
The teaching methodologies are mainly expositive, interrogative and demonstrative, both during classes and tutorial orientation sessions. Case-studies are frequently used, in order to allow the interpretation and correct application of theoretical knowledge. Students are encouraged and oriented to perform research essays. Whenever possible, lectures with external guests are promoted. The evaluation is continuous, through the practical application of knowledge in individual or group assignments, and research essays.
Demonstration of the Coherence between the Teaching Methodologies and the Learning Outcomes:
The methodologies of teaching and learning of this course were programmed in order to maximize a global view of the Impact Assessment issues by the students as well as the policies and techniques applicable in its resolution. The teaching methodologies are consistent with the objectives of the curricular unit as the expositive methodology combined with the analysis of case studies; works and development of enable a good comprehension of the challenge posed to the future Environmental Engineers.
Reading:
Canter, L.W.. Environmental Impact Assessment. 2º Ed. Mc Graw-Hill, 1996. Morris, P. e Therivel, R.. Methods of Environmental Impact Assessment. 2º Ed. Spon Press, London and New York, 2001. Partidário, M.R. e Jesus, J.. Fundamentos de Avaliação de Impacte Ambiental, Eds. Universidade Aberta, Lisboa, 2003. Legislação Portuguesa: DL nº 151-B/2013 de 31 de outubro; Port. nº330/2001 de 2 de Abril e Decl. de Rect. nº13-H/2001 de 31 de Maio e DL n.º 232/2007, de 15 de Junho. UNEP Environmental Impact Assessment Training Resource Manual, Second Edition, 2002. Environmental Assessment: http://ec.europa.eu/environment/eia/home.htm.