CEME 3007 - Integrated Environment Planning and Impact Assessment

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

The growing local and global reach of the impacts of human development on the natural environment necesitate the use of an integrated systems approach towards understanding, modelling and decision making in human-environmental systems. The interconnectedness of these systems means that traditional modelling paradigms need to be expanded to account for the array of key socio-techno-ecological processes. For environmental engineers working at the interface between human development and the natural environment, spatial, dynamic and integrated assessment modelling techniques, coupled with scenario-based strategies to deal with deep uncertainty, are becoming increasingly important approaches. This course will focus on a systems approach to conceptualising human-environmental systems? problems, and adopt spatio-dynamic modelling and deep uncertainty framing tools and for the purpose of planning and decision-making.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CEME 3007
    Course Integrated Environment Planning and Impact Assessment
    Coordinating Unit School of Civil, Environmental & Mining Eng
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Course Description The growing local and global reach of the impacts of human development on the natural environment necesitate the use of an integrated systems approach towards understanding, modelling and decision making in human-environmental systems. The interconnectedness of these systems means that traditional modelling paradigms need to be expanded to account for the array of key socio-techno-ecological processes. For environmental engineers working at the interface between human development and the natural environment, spatial, dynamic and integrated assessment modelling techniques, coupled with scenario-based strategies to deal with deep uncertainty, are becoming increasingly important approaches. This course will focus on a systems approach to conceptualising human-environmental systems? problems, and adopt spatio-dynamic modelling and deep uncertainty framing tools and for the purpose of planning and decision-making.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Aaron Zecchin

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    The learning objectives for this course are to:

    1) Recognise and explain the role of systems thinking and systems approaches in tackling wicked problems.

    2) Identify, apply and compare qualitative systems mapping techniques to complex human-environmental systems (e.g. influence diagrams, causal loop diagrams, stock and flow diagrams).

    3) Develop quantitative System Dynamics models for environmental and renewable energy systems.

    4) Design structured computational studies to investigate and analyse environmental and renewable energy systems subject to deep uncertainty.

    5) Prepare engineering reports based on results from computational studies of environmental and renewable energy systems.


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1 - 3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2 - 4
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    4, 5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 5
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1, 2
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1, 4, 5
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    The course uses a range of textbooks and papers, where key excerpts will be made available on MyUni. Several assignments will require further research, and students should make use of the University of Adelaide library and resources (e.g. databases) therein
    Recommended Resources
    Recommended resource lists will be made avaliable on MyUni.
    Online Learning
    In light of continuing challenges associated with COVID-19 in 2021, this course will make extensive use of digital technology. All course material will be made available through the MyUni portal, including recorded lectures, assignments, and other relevant material. Moveover, this system will be used for all important course announcements.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will be delivered through mulitple modes and activites. All information and resources will be available through MyUni.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    In line with University guidelines, it is expected that the average student should spend 12 hours per week on this course. In addition to the lectures (up to 2 hours per week) and the face-to-face sessions (up to 2 hours per week), students are expected to spend the additional remaining time allocation reviewing lecture material, reading course readings, working on assignments, and working on the modelling exercises and projects.
    Learning Activities Summary
    This course will involve up to two hours of online lectures each week, combined with either a two hour workshop or computing practical session each week.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    This course will involve written response assignments, model development and simulation assignments, and a major group project.


    Assessment Detail
    Details of all assessments will be made avaliable through MyUni.
    Submission
    All submissions will be electronic and through MyUni.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.