99031 Risk-based Site Assessment
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
In this subject, students learn the key terminology and concepts of environmental risk assessment, the distinction between human health and ecological risk assessments and their connectivity, and the fundamentals of risk assessment methodologies in developing quality guidelines for environmental media (i.e. soils, waters, sediments). Upon completion of this subject, students are able to assess evidence in evaluation of potential risk of harm, understand the realities of applying risk assessments in real life examples of contaminated sites, and have a firm understanding of the ongoing relevance of risk assessment for protecting site workers, the environment, and human communities.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Apply a weight-of-evidence approach in assessing contaminant risk |
|---|---|
| 2. | Calculate the likely risk of harm for human health in scenarios |
| 3. | Understand, apply, and synthesize methodologies for human health and ecological risk assessments |
| 4. | Use risk assessment and media quality guidelines in contaminated land management |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate advanced and up-to-date applications of environmental consultancy and conservation practice and deliver advanced evaluation and interpretations of problems and solutions as a leader in environmental management. (1.1)
- Address the challenge of real-world environmental issues by investigating different solutions to complex problems. Independently research, synthesize, and critically evaluate information from a variety of sources and apply that knowledge to professional contexts. Critique techniques in environmental assessment and conservation practice. (2.1)
- Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of health and safety requirements, regulatory requirements, ethical conduct, and risk management, in the context of field sites and animal handling. Evaluate and apply ethical solutions to environmental problems, considering the needs of local and global communities. (3.1)
- Design best-practice solutions to complex site problems through creative application of technologies and commitment to self-directed learning. Demonstrate the ability to reflect and make effective judgments about one's own work as a professional environmental scientist. (4.1)
- Communicate across a range of technologies in a rigorous and effective manner, matching the structure and level of communication to target audiences. Examine and articulate environmental problems and solutions within local, regional, and global settings using appropriate media. Judge the use of interpersonal communication skills with scientists, land owners, industry partners, government agencies and global communities. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject is intended to develop the following Graduate Attributes:
1. Disciplinary Knowledge
The information presented throughout the self-paced online learning and collaborative lectures provides a comprehensive overview of the key concepts and terminology of environmental risk assessment, along with investigations of a range of contemporary Australian case studies. A sound understanding of disciplinary knowledge will comprise part of all learning and assessment.
2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking
The inquiry-oriented approaches for learning in this subject are necessary to ensure accurate applications of risk assessment processes are carried out for contaminated sites. Critical reflections on contemporary risks to health and ecological systems is the core of the case study assessment, which is explicitly designed to assess best-practice approaches to problem solving that are essential in land management.
3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility
Responsibility is a key component of performing a safe, ethical, and compliant assessments of human health and environmental risks in any site context. Interpreting and evaluating critical site evidence whilst maintaining professional, social, and ethical responsibility is required of all environmental professionals working in this field. A sound understanding of these interplaying factors will be a consistent component of learning and assessment throughout the subject.
4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
In-depth reflection on current and historic case studies will develop a deep understanding of the required processes involved in the successful application of environmental risk assessments, which will be assessed in the case study and short essay submissions. As each new case study and site presents unique features relevant to both environmental risks and human safety, the frameworks examined can also be applied in future contexts.
5. Communication
Scientific writing skills are further developed in the short essays and case study assessments. Formative assessment is aimed at developing clear, higher-level scientific writing skills which are accessible for a range of audiences, including non-scientists, and comprehensive feedback on writing will be provided for each of these assessment tasks.
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is largely delivered face to face over a 2.5 day teaching block, together with a half day field trip (i.e. 3 consecutive days). The live lectures are delivered by guest presenters who are acknowledged experts in contaminated land risk assessment and related disciplines, representing environmental consultancies, regulators, government departments and research bodies. The teaching block will comprise of approximately four x 90-minute expert-led presentations each day, with different Australian experts presenting topics in each session. Between the lectures there will be tea and lunch breaks which will allow you to get to know other participants and to enhance your professional network.
All expert presenters use recent case studies to illustrate the concepts they present. Real-life problems are workshopped in small groups so that you can apply the concepts yourself. The presentations are designed to be interactive, and include exercises, calculations and group problem solving to consolidate your learning. Questions are welcomed by the experts as they provide the opportunity for to generate authentic group discussion with your peers, exchange professional experiences, and draw in other environmental concepts and challenges connected to contaminated land.
Online learning in Canvas before and after the block event is required to complete the syllabus. The online learning includes interactive self-paced lessons in Canvas focused on the principles of contaminated land and environmental risk assessment guidelines used across Australia.
Content (topics)
Content includes:
- The concepts and terminology of the discipline of environmental risk assessment
- The distinction between human health and ecological risk assessments and their inter-relationships
- The application of risk-based assessment methods as presented in Australian government guidance and calculation of risk of harm
- The basis and application of risk assessment methodology in developing quality guidelines for environmental media (soil, waters, sediments)
- Weight-of-evidence approach in the evaluation of risk of harm
- The realities of applying risk assessment approach to real life examples of contaminated site assessments and remediation
- The importance of appropriate communication of human health risk assessment outcomes to stakeholders and non-experts
- Relevant case studies as presented by a variety of Australian subject matter experts.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quiz: Contaminated Land Knowledge Check
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1 and 3.1 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Criteria: | Marks are awarded for correct answers to quiz questions. Students will receive feedback on their answers. |
Assessment task 2: Case Study: Risk Assessment and Decisions
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking 3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Criteria: | Detailed assessment criteria for the Case Study will be available on Canvas. Students will receive formative feedback on their answers. |
Assessment task 3: Short Essays: Applications of Risk Assessment in Contaminated Land Management
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 2. Research, Inquiry and Critical Thinking 3. Professional, Ethical and Social Responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 4 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Essay |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Criteria: | Marks will be awarded for correct answers to questions and evidence of clear written communication skills. Students will receive formative feedback on their answers. |
Minimum requirements
In order to pass this subject, you must obtain an overall mark of 50% or more.