Environmental Management
Unit code: HES6516
| Credit points | 12.5 Credit Points |
| Duration | 1 semester or teaching period |
| Contact hours | 48 hours |
| Campus | Hawthorn |
| Prerequisites | Nil |
| Corequisites | Nil |
Related course(s)
An elective subject in the Graduate Diploma of Science (Biotechnology), Master of Science (Biotechnology),
Graduate Certificate of Science (Good Manufacturing Practices), Graduate Diploma of Science (Good Manufacturing Practices), Master of Science (Good Manufacturing Practices) and Master of Science (Good Manufacturing Practices and Quality Management) and a Group C unit in the Master of Science (Biotechnology) *Global Leadership Program.
Aims and objectives
During this subject we aim to:
* To study major causes and effects of environmental pollution.
* To study major causes and effects of environmental pollution.
* To examine the dangers inherent in the use of hazardous substances and control measures required to minimise or eliminate hazards.
* To learn how to apply risk assessment in the recognition of environmental hazards.
* To study the effects of soil contamination and remedial measures available.
* To introduce basic ecology in an environmental management context.
After successfully completing this unit, students will be able to:
* Discuss the characteristics which make a substance a hazardous substance.
*Identify the risks of a chemical from its HazChem symbol. Appropriately label a container containing hazardous material.
* Identify, discuss and debate environmental issues.
* Argue the pros and cons of sustainable development.
* Perform a basic environmental impact analysis.
* Outline the water management strategy for Melbourne.
* Discuss and select appropriate waste management strategies.
* Understand that competition is a greater ecological force than predation.
* Debate the merits of various soil decontamination strategies.
* Perform a basic risk assessment for a hazardous material.
Generic skills outcomes
Students will be provided with feedback during the assessment for this unit of study on their progress in attaining the following generic skills:
* teamwork skills,
* teamwork skills,
* nalysis skills,
* roblem solving skills,
* communications skills,
* ability to tackle unfamiliar problems,
* ability to work independently
Content
* Ecology: 'indicator' organisms and their role in ecosystems, nutrient cycles and the effects of imbalances. Producers, consumers and decomposers. Energy balance. Australian ecosystems. Case histories.
* Hazardous Substances: Class labelling of dangerous goods, material safety data sheets, environmental chemical processes in the unpolluted environment (air, water and soil), case studies.
* Hazardous Substances: Class labelling of dangerous goods, material safety data sheets, environmental chemical processes in the unpolluted environment (air, water and soil), case studies.
* Environmental Hazards: Greenhouse effect, ozone depletion, photochemical pollution, acid rain, eutrophication, bioaccumulation.
* Contaminated Sites: Contamination of soil and bioremediation.
* Water Management: Overview of Melbourne's sewage and storm water system.
* Waste Management: Primary, secondary and tertiary waste treatment processes. Industrial waste (trade waste, prescribed waste, priority waste) treatment and disposal. Litter control.
* Risk Assessment: Recognition and grading of risks, particularly associated with public and environmental health.
* Environmental Impact Assessment: Preparation of an environmental impact assessment statement.
* Sustainable Development: Sustainable development and cleaner production. Recycling technologies.
* Environmental Auditing: Nature, sources, transport, monitoring and removal of pollutants, environmental protection in Victoria, Compliance.
* Process calculations. Disposal and dispersal of pollutants (air, water, and land).
Reading materials
Manahan, SE, Hazardous Waste, Chemistry, Toxicology & Treatment, Chelsea Lewis, 1990.
Wilson, D & Clarke, A (eds), Hazardous Waste Site Soil Remediation: Theory & Application of Innovative Technologies, 1994.
Wilson, D & Clarke, A (eds), Hazardous Waste Site Soil Remediation: Theory & Application of Innovative Technologies, 1994.
Cromar, N., Cameron, S. and Fallowfield, H., Environmental Health in Australia and New Zealand, Oxford University Press, 2004. Department of Health and Ageing and Health Council, Environmental Health Risk Assessment, Publication Approval 3096, June 2002. Metcalf & Eddy Inc., Wastewater Engineering, 3rd edn, McGraw-Hill, 1991.
Vesilind, PA, Introduction to Environmental Engineering, PWS Publishing Company, 1997.
Weber, WJ Jnr & DiGiano, FA, Process Dynamics in Environmental Systems, John Wiley, 1996.
