Module Title: | Environmental Management and Modelling |
Language of Instruction: | English |
Teaching & Learning Strategies: |
This module will be taught in four lectures, each of one hour duration per week, over 30 weeks. Tutorial sessions and computer use of Excel and Maple will be integrated into this delivery schedule. |
Module Aim: |
The aim of this module is to give final year students an overview of legislation, regulation and management of environment-related activities. To introduce the students to the area of mathematical modelling. To study a number of models relevant to environmental studies. |
Learning Outcomes |
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to: |
LO1 |
Evaluate and discuss current issues in the natural environment in Ireland and globally. |
LO2 |
Survey regulatory bodies and legislation on the environment. |
LO3 |
Identify the necessary elements of an industrial or waste licence to ensure compliance. |
LO4 |
Interpret technical reports and guidance documents. |
LO5 |
Integrate environmental aspects of industrial activity into the overall management system. |
LO6 |
Identify environmental situations that can be modelled mathematically. |
LO7 |
Identify, analyse and solve some environmental problems |
LO8 |
Model some situations using Microsoft Excel and the computer algebra system (CAS) Maple |
LO9 |
Communicate in an effective and professional manner, both in written and oral formats. |
Pre-requisite learning |
Module Recommendations
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is recommended before enrolment in this module.
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No recommendations listed |
Incompatible Modules
These are modules which have learning outcomes that are too similar to the learning outcomes of this module. |
No incompatible modules listed |
Co-requisite Modules
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No Co-requisite modules listed |
Requirements
This is prior learning (or a practical skill) that is mandatory before enrolment in this module is allowed. |
No requirements listed |
Module Content & Assessment
Indicative Content |
The natural environment
Ecosystems, Ecosystem services/functions, Natural capital, depleting natural resources, Earth equivalence, Environmental degradation, Sustainable development, Circular economy.
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Water Quality
Surface water/ground water/aquifers, Water Framework Directive, Drinking water :(public/group/private schemes), production processes, legislation and standards. Industrial and urban waste water: (types, treatment, discharge licences, legislation, river and lake assimulative capacity). Responsibilities of EPA and local authoritories.
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Pollution
Classes of pollution (chemical: organic -PAHs/PCBs/Dioxins/VOCs/
Biocides/Pharmacueticals, Inorganic - nutrients (N-P)/heavy metals
, biological - bacteria/viruses/protozoa/invasive species, Physical -thermal/radiation/light, Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit 1992. Global warming.
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Environmental Liability Directive
Provisions, Polluter Pays and Precautionary principles, the pollution linkage concept.
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Industrial Emissions Directive
Provisions, IPPC licences, IPPC application process/information. Best Available Technology (BAT), Bref documents, Emision Limit Values (ELV), Environmental Quality Standards (EQS). Annual Emissions Report (AER), IPPC case studies (food and pharmaceutical industry)
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Environmental Impact Assessment
Methodology. EIA Regulations. Case studies. Sustainable development. Public consultation.
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Waste Management
Waste production statistics, the waste management hierachy (prevent, reduce, reuse and recycle). Environmental impacts of landfills, the landfill directive, environmental impacts of incineration (technology/dioxins/GHG), reporting and compliance. Biodegradable waste treatment (composting, anaerobic digestion)Other waste legislation (WEE, VoL).
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Energy
Fossil fuels: Environmental impacts (extraction-processing), effects of combustion - atmosphere, GHG, particulate matter, Carbon footprints, Renewable energy - Targets, environmental impacts of solar, hydroelectric, wind and biofuels) Kyoto, Paris 2015. Energy audits.
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Management Systems in Industry
EMS: Compients and implimentation, Accreditation schemes: ISO14000:2015, Environmental management and audit scheme (EMAS). Legal and other requirements. Evaluation of compliance. Auditing. Ecolabelling.
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Modelling
The modelling concept. Formulation and test. Assumptions. Modelling as an iterative process.
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Deterministic models
Fomulation of Ordinary Differential Equations for some situations in the Environmental area. Radio-active decay, compartment models of mixing, pollution spread, Solutions to ODEs using Maple V (Computer Algebra System).
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Probabilistic models.
Simple, parabolic and multiple regression. Prediction and Assessment of Statistical models. Problem solving using Excel and R Computer language.
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Assessment Breakdown | % |
Continuous Assessment | 30.00% |
End of Module Formal Examination | 70.00% |
Special Regulation |
Students must achieve a minimum grade (35%) in both the practical/CA and final examination. |
Continuous Assessment |
Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
Examination |
Written Examination |
1,2,3,5,9 |
10.00 |
n/a |
Presentation |
Assignment 1 |
4,9 |
5.00 |
Sem 1 End |
Written Report |
Assignment 2 |
2,4,5,9 |
5.00 |
Sem 2 End |
Examination |
n/a |
6,7,8,9 |
5.00 |
n/a |
Examination |
n/a |
6,7,8 |
5.00 |
n/a |
End of Module Formal Examination |
Assessment Type |
Assessment Description |
Outcome addressed |
% of total |
Assessment Date |
Formal Exam |
Final written exam |
1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 |
70.00 |
End-of-Semester |
SETU Carlow Campus reserves the right to alter the nature and timings of assessment
Module Workload
Workload: Full Time |
Workload Type |
Frequency |
Average Weekly Learner Workload |
Lecture |
30 Weeks per Stage |
4.00 |
Total Hours |
120.00 |
Module Delivered In
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