ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS ANALYSIS

In line with the specific educational objectives of the Master's Degree in Environmental Engineering for Ecological Transition, the program contributes to the training of qualified professionals capable of applying multidisciplinary skills to the prevention, diagnosis, and resolution of environmental issues, largely resulting from the (direct or indirect) effects of certain human activities. Specifically, the course provides basic methodological tools to integrate prior knowledge and apply it to the assessment of environmental risks and impacts within the context of sustainable development. Regulatory reference is an essential part of the program and is presented as a response, over time, to the need to integrate sectoral and environmental aspects at various decision-making levels and spatial and temporal scales, in order to safeguard and enhance the environmental resources at stake.
The program therefore aims to quantitatively explore the aspects of environmental risk and impact assessment, with the goal of providing theoretical and practical skills that can also support consulting activities.

- Knowledge and understanding: The student will acquire knowledge and understanding of: a) the regulatory framework for environmental policy and management, with a focus on both the protection of human health and ecosystems and the regulation of innovative products and processes; b) procedures for assessing anthropogenic environmental impacts, such as EIA, SEA, IPPC, and VinCA; c) procedures and tools for analyzing health and environmental risks from direct and indirect exposure to chemicals 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 select and evaluate the procedures, methodologies, and techniques to be used, depending on the level of analysis required and the different targets.
- Judgment Skills: Students will develop the ability and independence to make judgments regarding issues related to environmental impacts and risks, the ability to evaluate the quality of associated environmental data, and the ability to identify the most suitable analysis tools to support a robust assessment of environmental impacts and the resulting risks to human health and ecological systems.
- Communication Skills: Students will acquire the ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, using language skills and digital techniques, the fundamental aspects of environmental impact and risk analysis.
- Learning Skills: Students will develop the ability to use the scientific method as a working tool, be familiar with researching scientific information, and be able to continuously update their knowledge in the environmental field, including through advanced research in scientific literature.

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

Introduction to the different procedures for assessing anthropogenic environmental impacts (environmental permitting), such as EIA, SEA, IPPC, and VinCA: international, national, and regional regulatory aspects; phases and implementation.
An overview of environmental risk analysis and management in Italy and Europe, considering both regulations protecting ecosystems (e.g., the Water Framework Directive) and those regulating chemicals produced and imported into Europe (e.g., the REACH Regulation).
An introduction to Environmental Risk Analysis (ERA) 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). Building on what was learned in the Environmental Chemistry course (second year of the undergraduate degree), the course will explore the procedures for analyzing direct exposure to contaminants in various environmental matrices (air, water, and soil) and indirect exposure through diet. We will also explore how exposure analysis results should be integrated with those of (eco)toxicological effects analysis to estimate and characterize risks to human health and the environment. The explanation of the procedures will be accompanied by examples of environmental risk analysis tools (e.g., exposure and effect models, risk analysis software) applicable to various issues (contaminated sites, quality of natural surface and groundwater, risk assessment of chemicals and materials throughout the life cycle of products and processes).
Risk mitigation and management procedures and techniques, such as technologies for the remediation of contaminated sites, will be discussed, with reference to the assessment of their environmental and socioeconomic implications from a life cycle perspective (referring to the LCA concepts learned in the third-year course of the undergraduate degree).

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

Learning is assessed through a final written exam in english, including 4 open-ended questions to be completed in 2 hours, aimed at ascertaining whether the student has understood the course content.

written

The lecturer has a duty to ensure that the rules regarding the authenticity and originality of exam tests and papers are respected. Therefore, if there is suspicion of irregular conduct, an additional assessment may be conducted, which could differ from the original exam description.

The exam will be graded from 0 to 30 with honors (regardless of whether the student is attending or not), with a passing score of 18 points.
Evaluation criteria will include the completeness and clarity of the answers, and the use of appropriate language and terminology.
A maximum of 8 points will be awarded for each question, following the following scale: 8 corresponds to excellent, 7 corresponds to very good, 6 corresponds to good, 5 corresponds to sufficient, 4 corresponds to insufficient, and 3 corresponds to severely insufficient.
For the overall assessment of the paper:
Scores in the 18-21 range: superficial knowledge of the topics covered; unclear presentation and lack of technical terminology;
Scores in the 22-25 range: not always in-depth knowledge of the topics covered in class; organized presentation but with inconsistent use of technical terminology;
Scores in the 26-27 range: good knowledge of the topics covered in class; reasonable ability to organize and present information; Familiarity with technical terminology;
Scores in the 28-30 range: excellent mastery of the topics covered in class; ability to prioritize information and correct use of appropriate technical terminology.
Honors will be awarded for excellent knowledge and understanding of the syllabus, judgment, and communication skills.

The course uses an integrated teaching approach, combining various teaching methodologies to maximize understanding and foster skill acquisition.
In particular, lectures will be complemented by classroom discussions, seminars, and practical exercises, designed to apply theoretical concepts to real-world problem solving.

Accommodations and Support Services for Students with Disabilities or Specific Learning Disabilities: Ca' Foscari applies Italian law (Law 17/1999; Law 170/2010) to support and accommodation services available to students with disabilities or specific learning disabilities. If you have a motor, visual, hearing, or other disability (Law 17/1999) or a specific learning disability (Law 170/2010) and require support (classroom assistance, technological aids for exams or individualized exams, accessible materials, note-taking, specialized study support, interpreters, or other assistance), please contact the Disability and DSA Office: disabili@unive.it.

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