Environmental Hazards and Risk (IE 5504) – 15 credits
Delivered by the Institute for the Environment, in term 1 (3 hours/week for 12 weeks)
Main aims of the module:
To develop an understanding of
- the meaning of scientific uncertainty and the relationship between hazard and risk
- how risk is perceived and how government/industry/individuals assess risk in relation to natural, anthropogenic and occupational hazards in our environment.
- how these risks may be influenced by global warming and climate change.
Main topics of study:
- Probability and the concepts of hazard, exposure, risk and uncertainty
- Approaches used in for characterising hazard and exposure in human health risk assessment and environmental risk assessment
- Case studies of human and environmental risk assessment in relation to chemical contaminants; PCBs and remediation
- Environmental Impact Assessment
- Managing risks presented by climate change – mitigation and adaptation
- Risk Communication: the nuclear power industry and risk in energy economics
- Geohazards and Risk
- Flooding and Desertification – risk mapping in response to climate change
- Risk Perception, uncertainty, and the precautionary principle: Genetically modified organisms, food shortage, biofuels and impacts of agricultural practices.
Learning activities:
Lectures, debate, group work, oral presentations, video
Written exam
Coursework comprising oral presentation and written report
