Subject Title
Environmental Management

Subject Description

This course is designed to facilitate the development of analytical and evaluation skills required in the management of environmental issues. Students will gain an understanding of the complexity of environmental policies, legislation procedures, and become familiar with the implications and effects of environmental management strategies. The application and development of site inspections and program auditing are explored to assist in the recognition and analysis of potential environmental risks as they would apply in the development of an environmental management system. Students will examine environmental issues such as air pollution, water usage, waste management, and natural resources.

Credit Status
One credit toward the Occupational Health and Safety Certificate and/or one credit toward the Environmental Management Certificate.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

1. Define environmental principles that are important to the ethical management of modern industries
   1. Define the environment and its components
   2. Describe how food chains use energy and recycle nutrients in the environment
   3. Describe the key natural mechanisms that cycle carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and water through the environment
   4. Define critical terms associated with the environment and the human impact on it, including (partial list only) bioaccumulation, biomagnifications, benthos, environment, ecosystem, ecosphere, troposphere, biodiversity, biodegradable, and sustainable development
   5. Describe growth in populations and how they affect the earth's resources
2. Describe key environmental (air, water, waste) legislation as it applies to industries in Ontario
   1. Discuss the origins of the environmental law and the jurisdictional aspects of Canadian federal and provincial law.
   2. Define the terms: law, bill, act, regulation, certificate of approval and spill.
   3. Describe federal acts that relate to industry in Canada including Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), the Fisheries Act and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act
   4. For Ontario industries, define the key legislation that affect air, land and water including Ontario
   5. Environmental Protection Act (OEPA), Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA), Municipal Industrial Strategy for Abatement (MISA), Reg. 346 (Air) and Reg. 347 (Waste), and Environmental Bill of Rights (EBR).
   6. Define the impact to local industries of the Environmental Penalties Regulations under O. Reg. 222, 223, 224, 225-07
3. Explain how gas and noise emissions affect plant operations (T) and control devices used to minimize their impact on the environment.
   1. Discuss local and global air pollution issues including acid rain, climate change and ozone depletion
   2. Describe the Ontario AQI system of assessing ambient air quality and explain the Lambton Industry Meteorological Alert (LIMA) system.
   3. Investigate the adverse effects of various gaseous pollutants and their associated control systems
   4. Identify sources of the common domestic, industrial and naturally occurring gases and vapors that have environmental impacts.
   5. Describe the makeup and effects of greenhouse gases
   6. Describe methods of reducing gas and vapour pollution
   7. Describe typical systems and devices used for monitoring gaseous and noise pollutants
   8. Describe noise implications of plants
   9. Describe how noise pollution is identified, measured and controlled
4. Discuss industrial water pollutants and water pollution control technologies
   1. Describe the physical, chemical and biological types of water pollutants
   2. Describe pollution trends in the Great Lakes and the rehabilitation of Areas of Concern (AoC's) attempts through the Remedial Action Plans (RAP's)
   3. Describe physical technologies (primary treatment) that remove physical pollutants from water
   4. Describe biological technologies (secondary treatment), including activated sludge, trickling filters and lagoons that remove organic pollutants from municipal and industrial wastewater.
   5. Describe technologies that remove nitrogen compounds and phosphates, low-level organics and living organisms from municipal and industrial wastewater.
   6. Complete mathematical problems involved with wastewater treatment.
5. Describe types of hazardous waste and discuss chemical, biological and physical treatment of the waste.
   1. Discuss how industrial activities impact both the land and water
   2. Describe the geology of Lambton County and explain how waste disposal practices and industrial activities can impact the amount and quality of groundwater
   3. Describe the various types and the chemical, biological and physical treatment of hazardous waste
   4. Discuss techniques to identify and remediate contaminated sites
   5. Produce basic diagrams of commercial, municipal and industrial waste landfills.
   6. Discuss land farming as a disposal practice
6. Discuss causes of industrial pollution and waste minimization techniques
   1. Define the causes of pollution in industrial process
   2. Describe Pollution Prevention Pays programs
   3. Discuss the purpose and procedures for waste minimization audits
   4. Discuss waste reduction methods
7. Discuss environmental management systems
   1. Define the application of Environmental Management Systems
   2. Discuss objective and applicability of ISO 14000 and the rational for ISO 14000 registration
   3. Outline “Responsible Care®” initiative and its purpose and discuss Plan, Do, Check, Act cycle
8. Explain how liquid and solid emissions affect plant operations
   1. Describe the construction and operation of various types of mechanical collectors
   2. Describe the construction and operation of the various types of mechanical collectors
   3. Describe the flash removal procedures related to steam generators and cooling pond operations
   4. List sources and effects of liquid waste and thermal pollution
   5. Describe the preventative measures that can be taken to prevent liquid pollution
   6. Describe methods of liquid waste disposal

Essential Employability Skills

    •  Communicate clearly, concisely and correctly in the written, spoken and visual form that fulfils the purpose and meets the needs of the audience.

    •  Respond to written, spoken, or visual messages in a manner that ensures effective communication.

    •  Apply a systematic approach to solve problems.

    •  Use a variety of thinking skills to anticipate and solve problems.

    •  Locate, select, organize, and document information using appropriate technology and information systems.

    •  Analyze, evaluate, and apply relevant information from a variety of sources.

    •  Show respect for diverse opinions, values, belief systems, and contributions of others.

    •  Interact with others in groups or teams in ways that contribute to effective working relationships and the achievement of goals.

    •  Manage the use of time and other resources to complete projects.

    •  Take responsibility for one's own actions, decisions, and consequences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.