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Corporate Environmental Planning (Specialist Diploma)

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Course Overview

This is a new practice-based course developed by NUI Galway and Next Level Skillnet. This course provides an overview of the evolution of environmental planning and management and its relationship to society and industry today. Drawing on contemporary examples, this course will explore the roots and principles of environmental planning and management in practice, introducing students to a range of conceptual and practical approaches. It will prepare students with the knowledge and skills to be leaders and decision makers in developing solutions for contemporary environmental issues in industrial and commercial environments. It will also provide students with an understanding of waste legislation, the key issues and practical implications in relation to waste management and focus on lean processes and waste prevention.
 
This specialist diploma award is particularly suitable for students requiring medium-term upskilling for career advancement in the area of environmental policy and leadership to strengthen their capacities as efficient environmental managers and effective environmental leaders in their organisations.

Applications and Selections

Apply Online*

*This course is now full & is no longer taking applications for 2020.

Please visit our How to Apply page for Application tips and Supporting Documents information.

This course is also available through Springboard, find out more here.

NB: Applicants who have a level 7 qualification of no less than 90 ECTS are eligible to apply for this course.

Who Teaches this Course

Requirements and Assessment

This course is delivered by a combination of Saturday workshops every 4 weeks, online lectures and learning activities, eBooks and other digital resources and printed module guides. Each module is individually assessed by assignments completed throughout the semester. The major assignment for each module will be the development of a plan for the participant’s workplace.

Notice: with the ongoing challenges posed by the COVID-19 coronavirus, we have decided to move classroom-based courses and blended learning seminars to a fully online teaching mode for Semester 1 of the academic year 2020/21. The Semester 2 teaching schedule will be reviewed over the coming months in line with government restrictions and social distancing guidelines. This decision has been made to ensure the safety of students & staff and our desire to continue to provide upskilling and professional development opportunities for all. If you have any queries regarding the format of online delivery mode, please contact your course administrator for further details.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants must have a level 7 award of no less than 90 ECTS.

Entry requirements for part-time students can be found in our FAQs section (i.e. age, english language requirements etc.). 


Additional Requirements

Duration

1-year, part-time

Next start date

September

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

25-30

Closing Date

Closed

NFQ level

8

Mode of study

Blended learning

ECTS weighting

30

Award

CAO

Course code

Course Outline

Modules include six of the following:

  • Environmental Management for Organisations
  • Energy Management
  • Waste Management and Compliance
  • Water Management and Conservation
  • Environmental Compliance
  • Lifecycle Design for Environment
  • The Lean Organisation and Technology
  • Environmental Leadership in Organisations
  • Environmental Awareness and CSR
  • Environmental Science

Curriculum Information

Curriculum information relates to the current academic year (in most cases).
Course and module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Glossary of Terms

Credits
You must earn a defined number of credits (aka ECTS) to complete each year of your course. You do this by taking all of its required modules as well as the correct number of optional modules to obtain that year's total number of credits.
Module
An examinable portion of a subject or course, for which you attend lectures and/or tutorials and carry out assignments. E.g. Algebra and Calculus could be modules within the subject Mathematics. Each module has a unique module code eg. MA140.
Optional
A module you may choose to study.
Required
A module that you must study if you choose this course (or subject).
Semester
Most courses have 2 semesters (aka terms) per year.

Year 1 (30 Credits)

Required BST154: The Lean Organisation and Technology


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Lean environmental management is based on the concept of continuous improvement of an organisation’s environmental performance over time. In this way the organisation's environmental plan is continuously changing in line with it’s activities as well as external influencing factors such as environmental legislation, changes in technology, and market pressures. The concept of Lean is to provide increased value to the organisation and the customer through eliminating waste in production and operations. Lean can be applied in every commercial and industrial setting as a way of thinking and acting for an entire organisation. This module will provide students with an overview of Lean principles and the 8 wastes or lean defects it deals with: excess processing, overproduction, waiting, inventory, movement, motion and non-utilised talent. This module will focus on contemporary Lean practice, tools for Lean and emerging technologies, and how they can be applied to environmental issues in industrial and commercial environments. Classes will incorporate guest speakers from the Lean and Environmental sectors in Ireland. This module will include the practical application of knowledge and skills through the development of a Lean strategy for the students’ organisations or departments.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Apply the knowledge, skills and understanding of modern Lean techniques and technologies gained through the module to environmental issues in industrial and commercial environments.
  2. Classify and appraise existing approaches to Lean outlined in contemporary examples.
  3. Report on student’s organisations’ requirements for a Lean strategy and/ or current approaches to Lean organisation.
  4. Develop and implement a Lean strategy for the students’ organisation or department.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module BST154: "The Lean Organisation and Technology" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required BST157: Environmental Leadership in Organisations


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

While environmental protection is a global issue, environmental activities occur at all levels with industrial and commercial environments playing a lead role. This module will explore local and global sustainability issues and their implications for industrial and commercial environments and examine case studies of environmental leadership in practice. The module will provide students with a conceptual and practical foundation in methods of fostering teamwork, leadership and communication for effective environmental leadership in their organisations.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Apply the knowledge skills and understanding of environmental leadership gained through the module to environmental issues in industrial and commercial environments.
  2. Critique and categorise existing case studies of environmental leadership in industrial and commercial environments outlined in contemporary examples.
  3. Identify and assess the importance of environmental leadership and examine their organisations need for environmental leadership
  4. Apply the knowledge and skills of environmental leadership gained during the module to create or implement an environmental management plan for the student’s organisation or department
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module BST157: "Environmental Leadership in Organisations" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required BST156: Environmental Legislation and Compliance


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Knowledge of current minimum legal expectations for environmental compliance is fundamental to achieving good environmental management in industrial and commercial environments. This module is aimed at professionals and will provide students with a practical foundation in the principles of compliance and risk management for corpotations in Ireland. Topics will include the structure of environmental law in Ireland (directives, regulations, licensing etc.), current legislative requirements, and how to ensure compliance for their organisations. The aim of this module is to provide the student with a proper understanding of environmental legislation and its impact on the process of monitoring and guiding the development process. The module provides the necessary grounding in the administrative structures, statutory instruments and applications necessary in the implementation and achievement of environmental objectives. This module will examine the key principles of environmental law, its underlying philosophies, and how it is applied, at national, European and international levels. It will trace the development of environmental law to date and its sources, and will examine how environmental law has become an integral part of industry and organisations. Fundamental concepts and principles of environmental law will be illustrated with contemporary examples, including from planning law, climate change law, and the law of sustainable development. Enforcement and remedies will be explored in detail. Indicative Syllabus: Environmental standards ISO 14001 and Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS) EPA directives EU Environmental Law Environmental Auditing Air legislation and compliance Water legislation and compliance Waste legislation and compliance Noise legislation and compliance Hazardous substances legislation and compliance Sustainable development
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Outline and assess the structure of environmental law in Ireland and examine its underlying principles and their contemporary application
  2. Examine and interpret EU and Irish environmental legislation and summarise how the courts have interpreted European and Irish environmental legislation
  3. Interpret and explain the relevance of auditing as a means of monitoring environmentally responsible practices in a GMP environment
  4. Explain the concept of Risk Management in the product lifecycle and describe a basic risk management system
  5. Explore the range of policy instruments available for organisations and the challenges and risks of managing under different models of compliance
  6. Demonstrate the knowledge and skills developed during the module through the assessment of environmental compliance requirements for the student’s organisation.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module BST156: "Environmental Legislation and Compliance" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Required BST153: Environmental Management for Organisations


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Drawing on contemporary examples, Environmental Planning and Management for Organisations will explore the roots and principles of environmental planning and management in practice, introducing students to a range of conceptual and practical approaches. This is a core module focusing on processes, scale and case studies in environmental planning in industrial and commercial organisations and laying the foundation for the other modules. Environmental planning and management will be explored in an interdisciplinary context applicable to a variety of backgrounds, such as manufacturing, operations and environmental engineering, environmental and quality science, health and safety, social geography, business and management, regulations and compliance.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Explain the fundamentals of Environmental planning and management as they relate to industrial and commercial environments
  2. Apply the knowledge, skills and understanding of environmental planning and management gained to contemporary environmental issues in industrial and commercial environments, such as medTech, manufacturing, supply chain, large scale operations and services
  3. Identify and classify existing approaches to environmental planning and management outlined in contemporary examples
  4. Apply knowledge gained to a case report assignment assessing and critiquing an environmental planning and management case example in an industrial or commercial environment
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module BST153: "Environmental Management for Organisations" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional BST151: Energy Management


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon footprints and energy costs is a priority for many organisations. An Energy Management System (EnMS) can play a lead role in achieving these aims. An EnMS is a process for continually improving energy performance. Suitable for all organisations, whatever the size or sector, it is particularly beneficial in organisations operating energy intensive processes. This module will provide the student with a general introduction to energy, its generation, distribution and usage in industrial and commercial environments and provide a conceptual and technical foundation in energy management. This course is aimed at those with a role in energy efficiency in industrial and commercial environments who wish to gain an understanding of the fundamentals of energy management from a local, national and international perspective. The module will focus on conducting energy audits, creating energy budgets and assessing ISO 50001 requirements.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify and assess the importance of energy management at both an organisational, local, national and global level
  2. Examine the conceptual and technical foundations of energy management for industrial and commercial environments
  3. Classify and appraise existing methods for the generation, distribution and use of energy within industrial and commercial environments
  4. Develop and implement an energy management plan for organisations embedding best practice energy management in day-to-day operations of industrial and commercial environments
  5. Report on student’s organisations’ requirements for compliance with energy efficiency and emission reduction obligations
  6. Apply the knowledge developed during the module to a project-based assignment which includes the development and/ or implementation of an Energy Management System for the student’s organisation or department
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module BST151: "Energy Management" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional BST150: Waste Management and Compliance


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module will examine Ireland’s current and future focus on waste prevention, reuse, maximisation of recycling and using waste as a fuel in replacement of fossil fuels. It will explore all elements of the circular economy and how good waste management can be key to boosting competitiveness, fostering sustainable economic growth and generating new jobs. This module will provide students with in depth knowledge of waste legislation and the key issues and practical implications in relation to waste management and compliance in industrial and commercial environments. Regional and sectoral case studies will be explored. This module will include a practical application of waste management through the development of a waste management plan for the students’ organisation or department. A key part of the module will be talks by guest speakers from industry and relevant statutory bodies.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify and explain the importance of waste management good practice for industrial and commercial environments
  2. Critically assess waste regulations and legislation compliance in Ireland.
  3. Identify practical methods for waste prevention and reduction and methods to improve recycling rates that may be applied to a given organisation setting
  4. Develop skills to effectively manage waste management contracts - contract terms, preparing a tender, understanding/minimising risk, KPIs, data requirements
  5. Apply the knowledge developed during the module to a project-based assignment which includes the development and/ or implementation of a waste management plan.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
The above information outlines module BST150: "Waste Management and Compliance" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional BST152: Water Management and Conservation


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Water is one of Ireland’s most valuable resources. Currently almost half of treated water is lost through leaks from both customer properties and the distribution network. This course will examine Ireland’s current and future focus on water conservation and reuse. This course will provide students with an understanding of the methods and key issues of water conservation and its practical implications in industrial and commercial environments. This module will include a practical application of water conservation and the classes will incorporate invited speakers from the water conservation sector. A learning outcome from this module will include the completion of a water audit for the students’ organisation or department.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Identify the importance of water quality and water use management in industrial and commercial environments.
  2. Examine water resources and the use and application of water conservation measures and efficient water use in different contexts.
  3. Improve capacity to design, implement and assess water management plans and procedures in industrial and commercial environments.
  4. Apply the knowledge of water conservation and management developed during the module to the creation or implementation of a water management plan for the students organisation
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
The above information outlines module BST152: "Water Management and Conservation" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional BST155: Environmental Awareness and Corporate Social Responsibility


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

Employee engagement in environmental awareness, energy efficiency and carbon reduction can help change behaviour in the workplace and reduce unnecessary energy consumption and waste. This module examines the role of information and education in environmental awareness in industrial and commercial environments and their influence on environmental behaviour. Topics will include: an introduction to environmental awareness, the relationship between information, attitudes and action and an introduction to the Environment pillar of corporate social responsibility (CSR). The module will also examine case studies in environmental awareness campaigns and CSR in industrial and commercial environments. The module is designed to equip learners with the knowledge and skills to become competent trainers in environmental awareness who can then develop, deliver, assess and evaluate their own environmental awareness campaigns.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Apply the knowledge skills and understanding of environmental awareness and the Environment pillar of corporate social responsibility gained through the module to contemporary environmental issues in industrial and commercial environments.
  2. Critique existing approaches to environmental awareness campaigns outlined in contemporary examples.
  3. Develop an environmental awareness campaign, set environmental targets and demonstrate methods to affect behaviour change in organisations.
  4. Apply knowledge gained during the module to develop a project-based assignment to produce an awareness campaign for the students’ organisation or department.
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
The above information outlines module BST155: "Environmental Awareness and Corporate Social Responsibility" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional BST158: Lifecycle Assessment and Design for Environment


Semester 1 and Semester 2 | Credits: 5

This module will explore various environmental issues as they apply to design of products, processes and services. It will explore the lifecycle assessment approach to lean practices. On completion of this module, the student should be able to demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of process and product development from an environmental sustainability perspective. This understanding should be based on knowledge of the various methodologies and tools used by product or process development teams. The methodologies and tools will be presented in the context of various models and will be illustrated with sectoral, national and international industrial case studies. At the end of this modules students should see environmental challenges as unmet market needs that provide business growth opportunities through innovation, entrepreneurship, organizational change and targeting new market sectors.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of process and product development from an environmental sustainability perspective
  2. desrcibe and evaluate the various methodologies and tools used by product or process development teams
  3. analyse the lifecyle of a given product or process and identify various environmental impact reduction approaches
  4. analyse an industrial case study in the design of processes or products with regard to environmental impacts
  5. identify and interpret environmental challenges as business opportunities; commercial, cost saving, marketing, social and/or environmental responses
  6. survey environmental impacts in given organisational setting, ideally the students own organisation
  7. recommend approaches to reduce environmental impacts in given organisational setting, ideally the students own organisation
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (100%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
Reading List
  1. "Environmental Impact Assessment – a comparative perspective" by Wood
    Publisher: Prentice Hall
The above information outlines module BST158: "Lifecycle Assessment and Design for Environment" and is valid from 2019 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional BS1148: Environmental Science


Trimester 3 | Credits: 5

This module aims to enhance the learner's understanding and appreciation of environment-related disciplines. It covers facts and attitudes that help the learner to understand and evaluate current environmental issues critically, evaluate technological advances, and put environmental issues into a legal perspective.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Examine the conceptual and technical foundations of environmental science in a multi-disciplinary approach to infrastructure expansion/planning
  2. Identify and discuss national and international environmental concerns and resulting social-economic issues
  3. Explain how global population expansion is affecting global natural resources
  4. Describe the relationship that exists between environmental and human health
  5. Apply the knowledge to understand, develop, and promote environmentally sustainable practices
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (40%)
  • Department-based Assessment (60%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module BS1148: "Environmental Science" and is valid from 2020 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Optional BS1152: Environmental Science


Trimester 3 | Credits: 5

This module aims to enhance the learner's understanding and appreciation of environment-related disciplines. It covers facts and attitudes that help the learner to understand and evaluate current environmental issues critically, evaluate technological advances, and put environmental issues into a legal perspective.
(Language of instruction: English)

Learning Outcomes
  1. Examine the conceptual and technical foundations of environmental science in a multi-disciplinary approach to infrastructure expansion/planning
  2. Identify and discuss national and international environmental concerns and resulting social-economic issues
  3. Explain how global population expansion is affecting global natural resources
  4. Describe the relationship that exists between environmental and human health
  5. Apply the knowledge to understand, develop, and promote environmentally sustainable practices
Assessments

This module's usual assessment procedures, outlined below, may be affected by COVID-19 countermeasures. Current students should check Blackboard for up-to-date assessment information.

  • Continuous Assessment (40%)
  • Department-based Assessment (60%)
Module Director
Lecturers / Tutors
The above information outlines module BS1152: "Environmental Science" and is valid from 2020 onwards.
Note: Module offerings and details may be subject to change.

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

This course is aimed at technicians, operatives, engineers, middle or senior managers who wish to move into specialist environmental and resource management roles, develop organisational systems, and advise senior management.

The course would also suit those who are interested in environmental entrepreneurship, new service or product development, emerging models, consulting roles etc.

Who’s Suited to This Course

The specialist diplomas are primarily intended for students who already have a Science or Engineering related diploma or degree and are working in an operations, design, lean or regularly compliance role in their companies.

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€2,170 p.a. (Reduced Fee for Next Level Skillnet members: €1,085*)

Fees: Tuition

€

Fees: Student levy

€

Fees: Non EU

€2,670 p.a.


*Applicants whose employer is a member of Next Level Skillnet may be eligible for a 50% reduction in the course fee. Membership of Next Level Skillnet is free and easy to arrange, find out more here.

Find out More

Contact Suzanne Golden for academic information and application details.

Suzanne Golden
Centre for Adult Learning & Professional Development, NUI Galway

Tel: 091 493746
Email: suzanne.golden@nuigalway.ie

Contact Sue Davis for information on the Next Level Skillnet fee subsidy.

Sue Davis
Next Level Skillnet
Tel: 061 363418
Email: sue@nextlevel.ie

 

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