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Module Specifications..

Current Academic Year 2023 - 2024

Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title Environmental Legislation, Standards & Risk
Module Code MM324
School School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering
Module Co-ordinatorSemester 1: Éadaoin Carthy
Semester 2: Éadaoin Carthy
Autumn: Éadaoin Carthy
Module TeachersÉadaoin Carthy
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
Coursework Only
Description

The objectives of this module are to make students aware of the complexities surrounding environmental policy, legislation, regulations and voluntary tools, such as standards, so that they can understand their impacts on engineering design and on the environment and sustainability

Learning Outcomes

1. Recognise the role environmental policy, legislation and standards play in engineering
2. Describe the main EU Directives related to the Environment that are in force in Ireland and explain how these Directives are incorporated into Irish Law
3. Practice giving advice on the application of environmental standards (both mandatory and voluntary) in engineering design and operations
4. Examine the relationships among environmental legislation, standards, health and safety, risk and ethics
5. Review case studies for adherence to / breaches of legislation and standards



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Lecture24Lectures
Group work40Preparation for group assignment
Debate30Completion of online discussion fora activities
Independent Study31Assignment preparation, study for class test
Total Workload: 125

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Policies on the Environment
Action Programmes; UN Sustainable Devlelopment Goals; Climate Change; Environmental principles (eg Polluter Pays principle); International cooperation; environmental impact assessment; public participation; implementation, monitioring and enforcement

Overview of EU Directives that relate to the environment
Purpose and implementaion of EU legislation; main directives that relate to engineering such as Water Framework and Waste Directives

Implementation of EU environmental legislation in Ireland
How EU directives are implemented into Irish law; environmental policy in Ireland; enforcement of environmental legislation in Ireland; main Irish Acts (eg Waste Management Act 1996 and their corresponding regulations (eg Water policy and drinking water regulations)

Environmental Standards
Links to engineering design of Voluntary standards such as ISO14000 series and ISO50001; mandatory standards such as labelling, safety standards; water discharge licences; definition of end of waste; circular economy

Health and Safety; Ethics; Risk Management
Class discussions about the linkages of health and safety, ethics, risk management to engineering design, standards and legislation

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Completion of online activityThree online discussion fora (10% each) where students practice giving advice on the application of environmental standards on a range of scenarios30%n/a
Group presentationStudents orally present their assessment of a case study / scenario in groups30%n/a
In Class TestTwo hours end of academic session quiz40%n/a
Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 1
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    50168, Website, Environmental Protection Agency, 0, (EPA report), http://www.EPA.ie, 50169, Website, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland, 0, (SEAI energy data), https://www.seai.ie/, 50170, Website, Irish Government website, 0, (Government publications and policies), https://www.gov.ie/en/, 50171, Website, Irish Government, 0, (Irish Legislation), http://www.irishstatutebook.ie/, 50172, Website, NSAI, 0, (NSAI standards access), https://eu-i2-saiglobal-com.dcu.idm.oclc.org/management/search/index,
    Programme or List of Programmes
    SSEBEng in Mechanical & Sustainability Eng
    SSEIBEng in Mechanical & Sustainability Eng
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