Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Environmental Impact Assessment (2500224) – Course 2025/26 PDF

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

The various methods of environmental assessments will be analyzed, according to the scale of the project, based on basic European, state and Catalan legislation and the management of international environmental quality standards. The different physical and environmental factors that control the environmental impact assessment will be described. The course will be exemplified with the study of practical cases (industries, power plants, landfills, civil works) and the concepts of life cycle analysis, carbon footprint and water footprint will be introduced. 1. Understand the structure and content of environmental impact studies, identifying and evaluating impacts qualitatively and quantitatively. Know the concepts of preventive, corrective and compensatory measures and being able to value them. 2. Apply possible types of environmental assessments according to the scale of the project based on basic European, state and Catalan legislation and international environmental quality standards. 3. Apply the concepts to practical cases and understand the analysis of the life cycle, carbon footprint and water footprint. Environmental Impact Assessment. The different types of environmental evaluations will be proposed according to the scale of the project based on basic European, state and Catalan legislation and the management of international environmental quality standards. The course will be exemplified with the study of practical cases and the concepts of life cycle analysis, carbon footprint and water footprint will be introduced. The objective of this course is to provide information about how environmental impact assessment (EIA) should be carried out. Formally, EIA can be defined as "the whole process whereby information about the environmental effects of a project is collected, assessed and taken into account in reaching a decision on whether the project should go ahead or not" (DCLG, 2006; Morris and Therivel, 1995). The course is structured as follows. We first introduce the general concepts of EIA. We then present the environmental components of a typical EIA (population, landscale, heritage, air, climate, soil, water, fauna and flora) and how these can be significantly affected by a proposed project. For each environmental component, we present definitions and concepts, legislative background, scoping and baseline studies, impact prediction, mitigation and monitoring strategies. We then introduce cross-cutting EIA methods based on risk assessment, GIS, quality of life capital, and life cycle analysis.

Competencies

Especific

Solve mathematical problems that may arise in engineering by applying knowledge about: linear algebra, geometry, differential geometry, differential and integral calculus, optimization, ordinary differential equations.

Obtain basic knowledge about the use and programming of computers, operating systems, databases and basic numerical calculation and applied to engineering.

Manage the basic concepts about the general laws of mechanics and thermodynamics, concept of field and heat transfer, and apply them to solve engineering problems.

Describe the global functioning of the planet: atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, biosphere, anthroposphere, biogeochemical cycles (C, N, P, S), soil morphology and apply it to problems related to geology, geotechnics, edaphology and climatology.

Describe and apply the techniques of analysis of physical, chemical and biological parameters; Integrate the experimental evidence found in field and / or laboratory data with the theoretical knowledge and interpret its results.

Identify the fundamentals of structure theory, sustainable procedures for construction and dismantling of buildings and civil works; and describe the technology bases of the materials used in construction.

Apply the methodologies of studies and evaluations of environmental impact and, in general, of environmental technologies, sustainability and waste treatment and of the management of international standards of environmental quality. Life cycle analysis, carbon footprint and water footprint and assess natural hazards (river, coastal floods, droughts, fires, soil erosion and landslides).

Describe the components and modes of transport and the impact of their externalities on the environment; identify the principles of environmental management of transport systems and sustainable planning of the territory; and introduce the tools for the management and operation of transport systems.

Analyze, design, simulate and optimize processes and systems with environmental relevance, both natural and artificial, and their resolution techniques, as well as recognize techniques for analysis and evaluation of climate change.

Identify renewable energy generation techniques and energy transition concept.

Generic

Identify, formulate and solve problems related to environmental engineering.

Apply the functions of consulting, analysis, design, calculation, project, construction, maintenance, conservation and exploitation of any action in the territory in the field of environmental engineering.

To use in any action in the territory proven methods and accredited technologies, in order to achieve the greatest efficiency respect for the environment and the protection of the safety and health of workers and users.

Total hours of student work

Hours Percentage
Supervised Learning Large group 45h 75.00 %
Laboratory classes 15h 25.00 %
Self Study 90h

Teaching Methodology

The course consists of 2.3 hours per week of classroom activity (large size group) and 1.2 hours weekly with half the students (medium size group). The 2.3 hours in the large size groups are devoted to theoretical lectures, in which the teacher presents the basic concepts and topics of the subject, shows examples and solves exercises. The 1.2 hours in the medium size groups is devoted to solving practical problems with greater interaction with the students. The objective of these practical exercises is to consolidate the general and specific learning objectives. The rest of weekly hours devoted to laboratory practice. Support material in the form of a detailed teaching plan is provided using the virtual campus ATENEA: content, program of learning and assessment activities conducted and literature. Some classes will be taught in Spanish occasionally Although most of the sessions will be given in the language indicated, sessions supported by other occasional guest experts may be held in other languages.

Grading Rules

The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.

The evaluation tests consist of a part with questions about concepts associated with the learning objectives of the course with regard to knowledge or understanding, and a part with a set of application exercises. The final grade (NF) is estimated as the arithmetic mean of the two partial exams. Students who have not passed (NF <5) will be able to take the re-evaluation of the subject. Students who have already passed it or with a NF <3.0 will not be able to take the re-evaluation.

Test Rules

The fraudulent realization of an act of evaluation will entail the numerical qualification of zero of all the asignatura without possibility of re-evaluation. The use of mobile phones and / or computers is not allowed during the exams.

Bibliography

Basic

Complementary