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Foundations of Impact Assessment Course
The purpose of the “Foundations of Impact Assessment” course of IAIA’s online Professional Development Program is to provide people involved in environmental impact assessment (EIA) with training in the basic “tools” needed to carry out their EIA responsibilities. This course is intended to provide the knowledge of EIA methods expected of an IA Practitioner or IA Administrator identified in IAIA’s Guideline Standards for IA Professionals. Managing or participating in an EIA study or review process requires both knowledge and experience, so it is not expected that the course will equip you with the expertise to lead an EIA study or review. Rather, it will support you in participating effectively in the multi-disciplinary undertaking that an EIA always involves, and to learn and grow through experience into an EIA leadership role.
The course is divided into a number of topics (in five units), all of which can be thought of as “tools” in the “EIA toolbox.” While the course progresses through these topics in a logical sequence, our experience is that every EIA situation is unique in its own way and may require you to draw upon any one of these “tools” at any time. So while you progress through the course, and negotiate the forward and backward linkages made among the various topics, please keep the “toolbox” metaphor in mind. The course is intended to assist you in knowing what “tools” are in your “EIA toolbox” and what they are for and why, so you can call on them as needed.
This course is designed for those involved in Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) who want to strengthen their foundational knowledge and practical skills. Whether you’re an IA Practitioner, IA Administrator, or simply contribute to EIA studies, this program equips you with the essential tools needed to carry out EIA responsibilities
- Expert Mentorship: Personalized, one-on-one guidance and conferences with an EIA professional
- Industry-Aligned Learning: Aligned with IAIA’s Guideline Standards for IA Professionals
- Real-World Application: Apply your learning to practical scenarios through case studies
- Self-Paced and Flexible: 12-week program, 30-40 hours, at your convenience
- Member/Non-Member Pricing: USD$645 for IAIA members/USD$795 for non-members
- The educational background for an “IA Professional” or “IA Administrator” as described in IAIA’s Guideline Standards for IA Professionals, typically at least a bachelor’s degree in an EIA-related field such as environmental studies, geography, ecology, biology, sociology, public health, social anthropology, planning, engineering, or landscape architecture; and
- At least one year of relevant experience undertaking and reporting on EIA studies, and/or in the administration of an EIA process; and
- Reading, writing and speaking proficiency of the English language; and
- Access to a desktop or laptop computer, an email address, and access to web-based video conferencing (e.g., Skype) and YouTube.
If you do not meet these requirements but are interested in taking the course, please contact kiesha@iaia.org to determine if this course is right for you.
- Unit 1
- Topic 1: Introduction and Overview of EIA
- Unit 2
- Topic 2: Alternatives in EIA
- Topic 3: Project Description
- Topic 4: Screening
- Topic 5: Scoping
- Unit 3
- Topic 6: Establishing Environmental Conditions
- Topic 7: Impact Analysis
- Topic 8: Impact Evaluation
- Topic 9: Impact Mitigation and Management
- Unit 4
- Topic 10: Reporting
- Topic 11: Review
- Topic 12: EIA and Decision-Making
- Topic 13: Environmental Management, Follow-up, and Monitoring
- Unit 5
- Topic 14: Public and Stakeholder Involvement
- Topic 15: EIA Project Management
- Topic 16: Focus and Related Topics