Planning Methods and Environmental Appraisal is divided into two modules which run concurrently:

Module One - Environmental Monitoring is comprised of methods of environmental appraisal related to soil, water, and air resources within the Waikato region and globally; and

Module Two Planning Methods comprises a range of methods related primarily to plan making and policy development; and to resource consents and designations.

This paper is divided into two modules which run concurrently - Module 1: Environmental Monitoring and Module 2: Planning Methods.

Module 1:

An introduction to reasons for, and design and implementation of, environmental monitoring in New Zealand. Skills in data collection, management, presentation, and interpretation are developed for a range of environments using both field data collection and published data-sets. This module will be taught by Julia Mullarney, Tanya O'Neill and guest lecturers from Waikato Regional Council. Practical exercises concentrate on specific skills in the acquisition and interpretation of environmental data, including: undertaking field surveys; basic statistical analysis and data interpretation; report presentation and communication of results.

This module is composed of lectures and practicals. Laboratory work supports the theory taught in lectures with practical monitoring experience.

Lecture 1: Wednesday 12 - 12.50 pm MSB1.05

Lecture 2: Thursday 1.10 - 2 pm MSB1.05

Laboratory sessions: Monday 12 - 2pm, rooms as advised in timetable. Laboratory sessions will run up to and including the week beginning 3rd September.

The lecture and practical topics are provided in a timetable on Moodle.

There is also a one-day field trip on either 15th or 16th September. Students will need to sign up for their preferred day on Moodle.

Module 2: Planning Methods comprises a range of methods relating primarily to plan making and policy development; and to resource consents and designations. This module is taught by Kate Mackness.

Module Two is comprised of lectures, workshops, and practical exercises which apply the planning skills taught. Several classes will be taught by guest speakers from the planning profession.

Lecture 1: Wednesday: 10- 12pm S.1.01 (Lecture 01A)

Lecture notes and a reading list will be available on Moodle. Some classes will be recorded on Panopto, but this depends on the format of the individual class. Practical workshops and exercises are less suited to using Panopto, and as this is a module with a practical and applied focus, students need to attend to master the required learnings and receive maximum benefit.

Assessment is designed to assist in achieving the specified learning outcomes and meet the intent of the Environmental Planning graduate profile. Lecture time, labs, class discussion, readings and assessments will also contribute to these ends.

Students should count on spending 200 hours on the whole paper (for both Module 1 and Module 2).

Workload for Module One: Environmental Monitoring
There are 20 lectures, 2 one-hour tests, and 7 two‐hour practical sessions. The Basic Statistics Lab is intended largely as revision for most students; 4 hours of class time are available, and students can expect to spend another 2 hours working on it independently. The Water Quality and Nutrient labs involve students collecting and analyzing data from sites on campus and using data provided by regional councils over several weeks. They involve 6 and 4 hours of class time, and students can expect to spend approximately 6 hours working on each independently. The field trip will take approximately 10 hours. This module involves 46 hours of supervised study and it is assumed that up to 54 hours will be spent in private study (finishing assignments, test and exam revision) by an ‘average’ student.

Workload for Module Two: Planning Methods

There are 12 2-hour classes which vary in format according to the subject matter. Classes involve interactive workshops, practical application of planning skills, and a mix of presentation and class discussion. Students can expect to spend up to 75 hours outside class in private study completing assessed work and readings.