Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

A pollutant is defined as 'a particular chemical or form of energy that can adversely affect the health, survival, or activities of humans or other living organisms', (Miller 2000). Pollutants in the form of solids, liquids, gases or energy emissions enter our environment by natural or anthropogenic means. With the potential for pollution to severely impact the life support system of humans and other organisms, it is necessary to implement a variety of approaches to protect the environment and ensure its sustainability. This unit builds on the environmental health concepts covered in PUN620 and the legal concepts of environmental protection covered in PUN363. It provides a detailed discussion of environmental protection activities that are particularly relevant for students planning to work in environmental health.

Aims

To provide a detailed understanding of the causes, controls, measures and management strategies for environmental pollution and an understanding of environmental impacts on human health.

Objectives

At the completion of this unit you will:
1. argue the rationale for environmental protection and sustainability with respect to environmental health and environmental management
2. apply the legislation associated with the protection of the environment in Queensland
3. audit businesses and industries that can impact on the environment
4. explain the characteristics of the various types of environmental pollutants including air, noise water, solid and hazardous wastes and contaminated land
5. measure and manage the impacts associated with potentially polluting activities.

Content

A variety of topics on environmental management will be covered including: environmental management principles, waste management, contaminated land, air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, environmental policy and legislation, integrated planning and auditing.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

To maximise your engagement with the learning materials in this unit, a combination of face to face and regular technologically - supported communication, online discussion, web tools and podcasts will be used to generate a rich, social learning environment. Lectures and web conferences will be recorded to enable some flexibility in the location, time and mode of study, with respect to work and life commitments.

Teaching methods will include regular, but not weekly, class contact (eg. lectures, tutorials and seminars), self-directed learning through the use of online study modules, an intensive on-campus workshop session, and extensive use of the unit's Blackboard teaching page.

Assessment items 1 and 2 are specifically addressed during the on-campus session. Attendance is strongly recommended as it provides for practical reinforcement of theoretical information presented in the study materials. Active participation in all teaching elements is strongly encouraged to allow for the exchange of ideas between students and teaching staff.

Assessment

Each assessment type in this unit will be subject to internal /external moderation, such as cross unit discussions and regular meetings of assessors, to ensure that marks awarded by different teaching staff are internally consistent and meet appropriate academic standards (MOPP C/5.2).Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning to that point. You will be provided with feedback on all your assessments as you progress through the unit.

Assessment name: Examination (Theory)
Description: You will be required to complete a written examination.
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Central exam period

Assessment name: Report
Description: You will be required to measure noise in accordance with Queensland guidelines and report on the findings.
Relates to objectives: 1-3
Weight: 40%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 8

Assessment name: Report
Description: You will be required to undertake a mock audit of an environmentally relevant activity and report on the findings.
Relates to objectives: 2-5
Weight: 30%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

You will be required to download/access a variety of state-based legislation, which is available from the Queensland Government website. The exact legislation will be prescribed as readings in the study modules.

Risk assessment statement

As noted above, assessment for this unit will involve a workplace-based assignment. You should be aware of and abide by the health and safety requirements of the workplace and you are expected to undergo any induction or other training provided in the workplace for employees or visitors to the workplace as appropriate. In addition, substantial computer-based work will be required. You should refer to the guidelines for safe work at VDUs contained in the SPH Guidelines to Students. It will be necessary to wear appropriate enclosed footwear and consider personal sun protection options (eg. sunscreen, hats) while on field trips for this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 16-Jan-2013