Overview
This unit will examine the nature of Environmental Management Systems (ISO 14001) as developed by the International Organisation for Standards (ISO) and Standards Australia. Topics include: concepts of EMS, ISO 14000 series (including ISO 14001 and ISO 14004), implementing EMS, auditing and certification, relationships with Environmental Impact Assessment and ongoing issues. Case studies will review the implementation and functioning of EMS in Australia and in other countries.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisite: Minimum of 18 credit points
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure – International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback – Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Have Your Say
Some students would like more interaction with other students through forum group discussions.
These online group discussions can be facilitated by directing students to weekly topics on the Forum. Specifically, topics based around the main assignment can be set up so that students can bounce ideas off each other and off their tutor as they progress through that assignment.
- explain the concepts of 'standards' and their world-wide and Australian growth and implementation
- access ISO and Standards Australia documents, publications, and other resources, and use appropriate information technologies to engage in research and other data/information-gathering activities regarding EMS
- explain the origins of EMS and their linkages to Environmental Impact Assessment processes and other mechanisms of environmental protection
- identify key documents in the ISO 14000 series and describe their functions
- list the key features of ISO 14001 and 14004
- describe the key concepts and principles of EMS
- discuss approaches to implementing EMS
- use EMS checklists
- prepare basic EMS documentation
- identify essential features of EMS auditing
- list the general requirements and processes involved in EMS certification
- discuss some of the on-going issues regarding EMS as an effective mechanism for environmental protection
- discuss a number of case studies involving EMS and identify lessons which have been learned from those experiences
- prepare a draft EMS for a hypothetical (or actual) small organization.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | ||||||||||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||||||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||||||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||||||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||||||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||||||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||||||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||||||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||||||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||||||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||||||||||
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
| 1 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 50% | ||||||||||
| 3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 30% | ||||||||||
Textbooks
There are no required textbooks.
Additional Textbook Information
The former textbook for this Unit is now freely available to students as a CRO. However a paper copy is available at a greatly reduced price at the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- word processing
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
m.danaher@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assignment 1 Due: Week 6 Friday (20 Apr 2018) 11:00 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Assignment 2 Due: Week 12 Friday (1 June 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Library Assignment.
The primary objectives of this assignment are to help you to learn how to evaluate and compare sources of information, focusing on material that is in websites. Evaluation of sources is an essential skill in the development of information literacy, while writing a comparison is an essential skill in the development of analytical thinking, and in the communication of information.
The details of this assignment are found in the Unit on Moodle.
Week 6 Friday (20 Apr 2018) 11:00 pm AEST
The essays will be marked and returned within two weeks of receipt by the Unit Coordinator.
This assignment will be assessed on:
-
the completeness and accuracy with which the first 3 points (under 'Task description') above have been completed
-
the overall quality of your written communication, including the structure, style, format, citation and bibliography, English expression, and general appearance of your paper
- access ISO and Standards Australia documents, publications, and other resources, and use appropriate information technologies to engage in research and other data/information-gathering activities regarding EMS
- identify key documents in the ISO 14000 series and describe their functions
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
2 Written Assessment
Term Project
Prepare a draft EMS (based on ISO 14001) for a hypothetical or actual small organization.
In addition write a short paper that explains elements of your EMS's design, cites sources used in compiling your EMS, and adds additional relevant commentary that may help explain your EMS, including its document organization and control procedures.
There are many quite specific things that must be done to complete this project successfully, with some options available as to how this can be done.
Therefore it is vital that you carefully read and follow the more specific instructions that are given on Moodle (Assignment 2).
Week 12 Friday (1 June 2018) 11:45 pm AEST
The essays will be marked and returned within two weeks of receipt by the Unit Coordinator.
Assignments will be evaluated on the basis of the quantity and quality of the research and analysis that has gone into the project, and on the effectiveness of the written communication of that research.
Major emphasis will be given to assessing the documentation in your 'EMS manual' and in the other documents provided, looking for:
- meeting the various requirements of those documents according to the relevant clauses in ISO 14001
- meeting the requirements for document control information for each of them
- clear and concise communication of each document's content
- neat and consistent format and style
- good English expression (e.g., spelling, punctuation, capitalization, grammar, word choice and phrasing)
- explain the concepts of 'standards' and their world-wide and Australian growth and implementation
- access ISO and Standards Australia documents, publications, and other resources, and use appropriate information technologies to engage in research and other data/information-gathering activities regarding EMS
- explain the origins of EMS and their linkages to Environmental Impact Assessment processes and other mechanisms of environmental protection
- identify key documents in the ISO 14000 series and describe their functions
- list the key features of ISO 14001 and 14004
- describe the key concepts and principles of EMS
- discuss approaches to implementing EMS
- use EMS checklists
- prepare basic EMS documentation
- identify essential features of EMS auditing
- list the general requirements and processes involved in EMS certification
- discuss some of the on-going issues regarding EMS as an effective mechanism for environmental protection
- discuss a number of case studies involving EMS and identify lessons which have been learned from those experiences
- prepare a draft EMS for a hypothetical (or actual) small organization.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
3 Online Quiz(zes)
Online workbook Activities - these are a set of weekly quizzes which are found on the Unit in Moodle. The details of these quizzes are also explained on Moodle.
12
Weekly
As per the schedule in Moodle
The quizzes are graded automatically and your grade will be available immediately after your quiz has been completed.
Each question has just one correct response. Each question will be marked 'correct' if you chose the right answer. Scores are based on the number of correct answers only. There are no marks deducted for incorrect responses.
- explain the concepts of 'standards' and their world-wide and Australian growth and implementation
- access ISO and Standards Australia documents, publications, and other resources, and use appropriate information technologies to engage in research and other data/information-gathering activities regarding EMS
- explain the origins of EMS and their linkages to Environmental Impact Assessment processes and other mechanisms of environmental protection
- identify key documents in the ISO 14000 series and describe their functions
- list the key features of ISO 14001 and 14004
- describe the key concepts and principles of EMS
- discuss approaches to implementing EMS
- use EMS checklists
- prepare basic EMS documentation
- identify essential features of EMS auditing
- list the general requirements and processes involved in EMS certification
- discuss some of the on-going issues regarding EMS as an effective mechanism for environmental protection
- discuss a number of case studies involving EMS and identify lessons which have been learned from those experiences
- prepare a draft EMS for a hypothetical (or actual) small organization.
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
