ARCH505 Environmental Impact Assessment
Syllabus | International University of Sarajevo - Last Update on Oct 10, 2025
Syllabus Quick Jump
Search and navigate to any syllabus instantly
Architecture
Nerma Omićević
Course Lecturer
Course Objectives
This course will introduce the students to the process of evaluating the environmental impacts of a project development. Trough class discussions and interactions, the students will develop skills in critical thinking and knowledge about Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). They will demonstrate their skills by applying the main assessment methods, used to predict environmental impacts and develop understanding how the EIA methods are used in the decision-making process.
Learning Outcomes
After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to:
Course Materials
Required Textbook
Glasson, J. et al. Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment: Principles and procedures, process, practice and prospects, UCL Press Ltd., Gower Street, London, 1994 A. Gilpin, Environmental Impact Assessment: Cutting Edge for the 21st Century, 1994 R. Jain, Handbook of Environmental Engineering Assessment: Strategy, Planning, and management, 2012 R. Therivel, Strategic Environ Assess, 2004 Various articles to be provided by the lecturer
Additional Literature
Teaching Methods
Lecture and discussion method during the lesson development; Demostration and collaboration method during the tutorials
To encourage student participation in the learning process.
Weekly Topics
| Week | Topic | Readings / References |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Course introduction, Assignments and Course administration | |
| 2 | Introduction and Principles | Glasson, J. Et al. |
| 3 | Origins and Development | Glasson, J. Et al. |
| 4 | Environmental Assessment in Engineering and Planning | Glasson, J. Et al. |
| 5 | Environmental Laws and Regulations | Glasson, J. Et al. |
| 6 | Elements of Environmental Assessment and Planning | Glasson, J. Et al. |
| 7 | Midterm Exam | Glasson, J. Et al. |
| 8 | Environmental Assessment Methodologies | Gilpin, A. |
| 9 | Generalized Approach for Environmental Assessment | Gilpin, A. |
| 10 | International Perspectives on Environmental Assessment Engineering and Planning | In-class discussion and exercise - Assignment 1 |
| 11 | Contemporary Issuses in Environmental Assessment | Gilpin, A. |
| 12 | Guidelines on the Preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report | Therivel, R. |
| 13 | Case study on an environmental impact assessment | In-class discussion and exercise |
| 14 | Case study on an environmental impact assessment | In-class discussion and exercise |
| 15 | Case study on an environmental impact assessment | In-class discussion and exercise - Assignment 2 |
Course Schedule (All Sections)
Office Hours & Room
Assessment Methods and Criteria
Assessment Components
Final Exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 3 4
In-term Assignments
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 3
Mid-term exam
AI: Not AllowedAlignment with Learning Outcomes : 1 2
IUS Grading System
| Grading Scale | IUS Grading System | IUS Coeff. | Letter (B&H) | Numerical (B&H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 - 44 | F | 0 | F | 5 |
| 45 - 54 | E | 1 | ||
| 55 - 64 | C | 2 | E | 6 |
| 65 - 69 | C+ | 2.3 | D | 7 |
| 70 -74 | B- | 2.7 | ||
| 75 - 79 | B | 3 | C | 8 |
| 80 - 84 | B+ | 3.3 | ||
| 85 - 94 | A- | 3.7 | B | 9 |
| 95 - 100 | A | 4 | A | 10 |
Late Work Policy
Information about late submission policies will be shared during class and posted in this section. Please check back for official guidelines.
ECTS Credit Calculation
📚 Student Workload
This 4 ECTS credit course corresponds to 100 hours of total student workload, distributed as follows:
Lecture Hours
24 hours ⏳ (12 week × 2 h)
Class discussion and exercise
8 hours ⏳ (2 week × 4 h)
Home study
28 hours ⏳ (14 week × 2 h)
Class discussion and exercise
10 hours ⏳ (5 week × 2 h)
In-term exam
2 hours ⏳ (1 week × 2 h)
Final exam EIA Report
24 hours ⏳ (8 week × 3 h)
In-term Assignments
4 hours ⏳ (2 week × 2 h)
100 Total Workload Hours
4 ECTS Credits
Course Policies
Academic Integrity
All work submitted must be your own. Plagiarism, cheating, or any form of academic dishonesty will result in disciplinary action according to university policies. When in doubt about citation practices, consult the instructor.
Attendance Policy
Students are expected to adhere to the attendance requirements as outlined in the International University of Sarajevo Study Rules and Regulations. Excessive absences, whether excused or unexcused, may impact academic performance and eligibility for assessment. Mandatory sessions (e.g., labs, workshops) require attendance unless formally exempted. For detailed policies on absences, documentation, and penalties, please refer to the official university regulations.
Technology & AI Policy
Laptops/tablets may be used for note-taking only during lectures. Phones should be silenced and put away during all class sessions. Audio/video recording requires prior permission from the instructor.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Usage: The use of AI tools (e.g., ChatGPT, Copilot, Gemini) varies by assessment component. Please refer to the AI usage indicator next to each assessment item in the Assessment Methods and Criteria section above. Submitting AI-generated content as your own work, where AI is not explicitly allowed, constitutes an academic integrity violation.
Communication Policy
All course-related communication should occur through official university channels (institutional email or SIS). Emails should include [ARCH505] in the subject line.
Academic Quality Assurance Policy
Course Academic Quality Assurance is achieved through Semester Student Survey. At the end of each academic year, the institution of higher education is obliged to evaluate work of the academic staff, or the success of realization of the curricula.
Learning Tips
Be prepared to contribute thoughtfully during class discussions, labs, or collaborative work. Active participation deepens understanding and encourages critical thinking.
Complete assigned readings or prep materials before class. Take notes, highlight key ideas, and jot down questions. Aim to grasp core concepts and their applications—not just facts.
Use course frameworks or methodologies to analyze problems, case studies, or projects. Begin early to allow time for reflection and refinement. Seek feedback to improve your work.
Don’t hesitate to reach out when something is unclear. Use office hours, discussion boards, or peer networks to clarify concepts and stay on track.
Syllabus Last Updated on Oct 10, 2025 | International University of Sarajevo
Print Syllabus
Referencing Curricula Print this page
| Course Code | Course Title | Weekly Hours* | ECTS | Weekly Class Schedule | ||||||
| T | P | |||||||||
| ARCH505 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3 | 0 | 4 | ||||||
| Prerequisite | None | It is a prerequisite to | - | |||||||
| Lecturer | Nerma Omićević | Office Hours / Room / Phone | Wednesday: 9:30-12:00 Thursday: 9:30-12:00 |
|||||||
| nomicevic@ius.edu.ba | ||||||||||
| Assistant | Assistant E-mail | |||||||||
| Course Objectives | This course will introduce the students to the process of evaluating the environmental impacts of a project development. Trough class discussions and interactions, the students will develop skills in critical thinking and knowledge about Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). They will demonstrate their skills by applying the main assessment methods, used to predict environmental impacts and develop understanding how the EIA methods are used in the decision-making process. | |||||||||
| Textbook | Glasson, J. et al. Introduction to Environmental Impact Assessment: Principles and procedures, process, practice and prospects, UCL Press Ltd., Gower Street, London, 1994 A. Gilpin, Environmental Impact Assessment: Cutting Edge for the 21st Century, 1994 R. Jain, Handbook of Environmental Engineering Assessment: Strategy, Planning, and management, 2012 R. Therivel, Strategic Environ Assess, 2004 Various articles to be provided by the lecturer | |||||||||
| Additional Literature | ||||||||||
| Learning Outcomes | After successful completion of the course, the student will be able to: | |||||||||
|
||||||||||
| Teaching Methods | Lecture and discussion method during the lesson development; Demostration and collaboration method during the tutorials, to encourage student participation in the learning process. | |||||||||
| Teaching Method Delivery | Teaching Method Delivery Notes | |||||||||
| WEEK | TOPIC | REFERENCE | ||||||||
| Week 1 | Course introduction, Assignments and Course administration | |||||||||
| Week 2 | Introduction and Principles | Glasson, J. Et al. | ||||||||
| Week 3 | Origins and Development | Glasson, J. Et al. | ||||||||
| Week 4 | Environmental Assessment in Engineering and Planning | Glasson, J. Et al. | ||||||||
| Week 5 | Environmental Laws and Regulations | Glasson, J. Et al. | ||||||||
| Week 6 | Elements of Environmental Assessment and Planning | Glasson, J. Et al. | ||||||||
| Week 7 | Midterm Exam | Glasson, J. Et al. | ||||||||
| Week 8 | Environmental Assessment Methodologies | Gilpin, A. | ||||||||
| Week 9 | Generalized Approach for Environmental Assessment | Gilpin, A. | ||||||||
| Week 10 | International Perspectives on Environmental Assessment Engineering and Planning | In-class discussion and exercise - Assignment 1 | ||||||||
| Week 11 | Contemporary Issuses in Environmental Assessment | Gilpin, A. | ||||||||
| Week 12 | Guidelines on the Preparation of the Environmental Impact Assessment Report | Therivel, R. | ||||||||
| Week 13 | Case study on an environmental impact assessment | In-class discussion and exercise | ||||||||
| Week 14 | Case study on an environmental impact assessment | In-class discussion and exercise | ||||||||
| Week 15 | Case study on an environmental impact assessment | In-class discussion and exercise - Assignment 2 | ||||||||
| Assessment Methods and Criteria | Evaluation Tool | Quantity | Weight | Alignment with LOs | AI Usage |
| Final Exam | 1 | 40 | 3,4 | Not Allowed | |
| Semester Evaluation Components | |||||
| In-term Assignments | 2 | 30 | 1,3 | Not Allowed | |
| Mid-term exam | 1 | 30 | 1,2 | Not Allowed | |
| *** ECTS Credit Calculation *** | |||||
| Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | Activity | Hours | Weeks | Student Workload Hours | |||
| Lecture Hours | 2 | 12 | 24 | Class discussion and exercise | 4 | 2 | 8 | |||
| Home study | 2 | 14 | 28 | Class discussion and exercise | 2 | 5 | 10 | |||
| In-term exam | 2 | 1 | 2 | Final exam EIA Report | 3 | 8 | 24 | |||
| In-term Assignments | 2 | 2 | 4 | |||||||
| Total Workload Hours = | 100 | |||||||||
| *T= Teaching, P= Practice | ECTS Credit = | 4 | ||||||||
| Course Academic Quality Assurance: Semester Student Survey | Last Update Date: 20/10/2025 | |||||||||