Units / ENE5042
ENE5042 · Environmental impact and risk assessment
2026 Handbook6 credit pointsLevel 5Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Last checked: 23 Aug 2026 UTCOverview
This unit aims to develop an understanding of the role and basis for environmental impact assessment (EIA), environmental risk assessment (ERA) and environmental management systems (EMS). The unit focuses on the processes involved in producing a comprehensive approach to identifying, assessing and planning management processes, with a particular emphasis on synthesising technical, regulatory and community issues. The unit encourages you to integrate your existing knowledge in environmental engineering and apply it to real projects. Through lectures, practice classes, individual assignments and group project work, you should develop skills and knowledge in preparing major EIA, ERA and EMS reports, your presentation and communication as well as your engineering context.
Areas of study: E6014 Master of Engineering - Specialisation: Civil engineering E6017 Master of Advanced Engineering - Specialisation: Robotic construction engineering E6017 Master of Advanced Engineering - Specialisation: Urban systems engineering
Offerings
| Campus | Teaching period | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Clayton | First semester | Teaching activities are on-campus (ON-CAMPUS) |
Assessment
The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.
| # | Assessment | Type | Weight | Hurdle |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Daily risk assessment | Portfolio | 5% | Threshold |
| 2 | Environmental policy for project | Project | 8% | Threshold |
| 3 | First version of EIS/ERS/EMS | Project | 10% | Threshold |
| 4 | Final version of EIS/EMS | Project | 15% | Threshold |
| 5 | Weekly activities and quizzes | Project | 12% | Threshold |
| 6 | Final assessment | Quiz / Test | 50% | Threshold |
Continuous assessment: 50% Final assessment: 50% This unit contains threshold hurdle requirements that you must achieve to be able to pass the unit. You are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component and at least 45% in the final assessment component. The consequence of not achieving a hurdle requirement is a fail grade (NH) and a maximum mark of 45 for the unit. The assessments of this unit are designed to demonstrate the achievement of the advanced learning outcomes and standards expected of Master’s level coursework.
Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.
Requisites
Learning outcomes
- Describe the concepts of EIA, ERA and EMS.
- Determine the role of these assessments and management systems in society, especially the relevant environmental legislation, policies, codes of practice and local/international standards.
- Comprehend the government, industry and community perspectives on engineering projects.
- Apply key concepts of life cycle analysis, environmental auditing, waste prevention, cleaner production, community consultation and economic analysis in engineering projects.
- Critically reflect on novel and innovative approaches to synergise different management system with proper assessment approaches.
Workload
The minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of 3-6 hours of scheduled learning activities and 6-9 hours of independent study per week. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher-directed learning, peer-directed learning and online engagement. Independent study may include associated readings, assessment and preparation for scheduled activities.
| Activity | Duration |
|---|---|
| Workshops | 24 hours |
| Practical activities | 24 hours |
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