Study Guide

Objectives

After completing the course, student knows the principles of environmental management systems, environmental impact assessment and understands how different organizations can benefit from pursuing for sustainability in their operations. Student can plan and build an environmental management system for an organization. Student understands what is meant by Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and knows the main guidelines and standards related to CSR. Student can assess and audit different management systems by using the available tools.

Content

Environmental management systems (EMAS, ISO 14001, BS 7750 etc.); environmental management tools; environmental impact assessment; auditing; reporting; Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).

Prerequisites

Preliminary knowledge on environmental management is required before taking this course. Basics for Environmental Technology and Management or corresponding course is a pre-requisite for this course.

Assessment criteria, satisfactory (1-2)

The achieved competence is sufficient for passing the course but remains narrow. Student shows throughout the course (assignments, classroom discussions) and at the exam that is familiar with the basic concepts and phenomena related to environmental management systems, auditing and other themes discussed during the course. Student has basic theoretical knowledge in environmental management systems. The group work was done, reported and presented within the deadline but background information remained minimal, reporting structured according to the instructions but literature references are missing, presentation incomplete, discussion and conclusions are inadequate showing that only narrow competence is achieved.

Assessment criteria, good (3-4)

The achieved competence is structured and student can apply the theoretical knowledge in known situations. Student knows and understands the basic concepts and phenomena related to environmental management systems, auditing and other themes discussed during the course. Student has good knowledge in the structure of environmental management systems and the student understands the requirements of environmental management systems (for example ISO 14001, EMAS). Student is motivated towards the subjects discussed. The group work was done, reported and presented properly and within the deadline, background information collected, reporting has been structured according to the instructions, with references to the reliable sources, presentation of the results mostly correct eventually with small mistakes, discussion and conclusions are adequate showing deep understanding of the concepts and ability to apply them.

Assessment criteria, excellent (5)

The achieved competence is wide and student can apply the theoretical knowledge in changing situations. Student has fluent knowledge and understanding the basic concepts and phenomena related to environmental management systems, auditing and other themes discussed during the course. Student has fluent knowledge in the structure of environmental management systems and the student understands the requirements of environmental management systems (for example ISO 14001, EMAS). Student is motivated towards the subjects discussed, shows creativity and has a positive attitude towards developing itself.

The group work was done, reported and presented very well and within the deadline, background information collected, reporting has been structured according to the instructions, with references to the reliable sources, presentation correct, discussion and conclusions are adequate and based on comparison to literature, conclusions are clear and clearly expressed. The work shows deep understanding of the concepts and that the student has sufficient skills to apply correctly the theoretical knowledge.