ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ANALYSIS

With regards to the specific educational objectives of the Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering for Ecological Transition, the course contributes to training qualified professionals, capable of putting multidisciplinary skills in prevention, diagnosis and solution of environmental problems, largely due to the result of the effects (direct or indirect) of certain human activities. The teaching, in particular, provides basic methodological tools to integrate previous knowledge and finalize them to the assessment of environmental risks and impacts in the context of sustainable development. The regulatory reference is an essential part of the course and is presented as a response, over time, to the need to integrate, at the different decision-making levels and at the various space-time scales, the sectoral aspects with the environmental ones, in order to safeguard and enhance the environmental resources at stake. The course therefore aims to quantitatively deepen the aspects of the assessment of environmental risks and impacts with the aim of providing theoretical and practical skills that also support consultancy activities.

- Knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire knowledge and understanding of: a) the reference regulatory framework in environmental policy and management, with attention to both the protection of human health and ecosystems and the regulation of innovative products and processes; b) procedures for assessing environmental impacts of anthropogenic origin such as VIA, VAS, IPPC, VinCA; c) procedures and tools for analyzing health and ecological risks, from direct and indirect exposure to chemical substances and materials; d) methods and techniques for mitigating and managing risks.
- Ability to apply knowledge and understanding
The student will acquire the ability to independently choose and evaluate the procedures, methodologies and techniques to be used, depending on the level of analysis required, and the different targets.
- Judgment skills
The student will acquire the ability and autonomy of judgment on issues related to environmental impacts and risks, knowing how to evaluate the quality of the environmental data associated with them, knowing how to identify the most suitable analysis tools to support a robust assessment of environmental impacts and risks for human health and the resulting ecological systems.
- Communication skills
The student will acquire the ability to communicate orally and in writing, with language skills and digital techniques, the fundamental aspects related to the analysis of environmental impacts and risks.
- Learning skills
The student will develop the ability to use the scientific method as a work tool, will be familiar with the search for scientific information, and will have the ability to continuously update his/her training in the environmental sector, also through advanced consultation of scientific bibliography.

Courses included in the three-year degree course in Environmental Engineering for Ecological Transition, in particular Environmental Chemistry and Life Cycle Analysis.

Introduction to the various procedures for assessing environmental impacts of anthropogenic origin (environmental permitting) such as VIA, VAS, IPPC, VinCA: international, national and regional regulatory aspects; phases and implementation.
General framework on the analysis and management of environmental risk in Italy and Europe, considering both the legislation for the protection of ecosystems (e.g. Water Framework Directive) and that which regulates chemical substances produced and imported into Europe (e.g. REACH Regulation).
Introduction to Environmental Risk Analysis through: definitions, conceptual frameworks, procedures and methodologies for different levels of analysis (screening, site-specific and regional scale) and different targets (human health and ecosystems). Starting from what was learned in the Environmental Chemistry course (second year of the three-year degree course), the procedures for analyzing direct exposure to contaminants in different environmental matrices (air, water and soil) and indirect exposure through diet will be explored. We will also explore how the results of the exposure analysis must be integrated with those of the analysis of (eco)toxicological effects in order to estimate and characterize the risks for human health and the environment. The explanation of the procedures will be accompanied by examples of tools for Environmental Risk Analysis (e.g. exposure and effect models, risk analysis software) applicable to different problems (contaminated sites, quality of natural surface and underground waters, risk assessment of chemicals and materials along the life cycle of products and processes).
Procedures and techniques for risk mitigation and management, such as technologies for the remediation of contaminated sites, with references to the assessment of their environmental and socio-economic implications from a life cycle perspective (resuming the concepts of LCA learned in the third year of the three-year degree course).

Course materials, in the form of presentations and documents, provided by the teacher.

Learning is verified through a final written test: the test includes 4 open questions to be completed in 2 hours, aimed at ascertaining that the student has understood the contents of the course.

written

The exams will be graded from 0 to 30 cum laude, with a passing threshold of 18 points.
The work will be evaluated on the basis of completeness and clarity of the answers, and on the use of appropriate language and terms.
For the 4 open questions of the written exam, max 8 points each are assigned: 8=excellent; 7=very good; 6=good; 5=sufficient; 4=poor; 3=bad.

For the overall evaluation of the work:
Scores in the range 18-21 range: limited knowledge of the topics covered in the classes; unclear and lacking in technical terminology.
Scores in the range 22-25: not always in-depth knowledge of the topics covered in the classes; orderly presentation but with not always correct use of technical terminology;
Scores in the range 26-27: good knowledge of the topics covered in the classes; fair ability to organize information and present it; familiarity with technical terminology;
Scores in the range 28-30: excellent mastery of the topics covered in the classes; ability to prioritize information and correct use of appropriate technical terminology.

Honors will be awarded in the presence of excellent judgment and communication ability, and excellent understanding of the program's topics.

Frontal lectures and classroom exercises

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Natural capital and environmental quality" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development