This is an intensive course offered on an annual basis. The course will be delivered from 6 - 17 February 2017.
Knowledge of the physical, chemical and biological processes involved when water in its many forms interacts with land is fundamental to managing natural resources and in dealing with the increasing environmental challenges confronting us in the 21st century. Faced with global change, an understanding of water science is increasingly important in relation to secure water supply; assessing water demand; safeguarding water quality in multi-use catchments and aquifers; maintaining human health; ensuring food and energy security; and sustaining the ecosystems which support us. Professionals who are aware of the concepts, principles and practices relevant to surface and groundwater hydrology and river processes are needed to work in a variety of water-related fields.
This course is structured around the water cycle and the concepts of mass and energy balance. The different pathways that water takes as it cycles through the atmosphere, biosphere and lithosphere are examined, as are the interactions of the cycle’s components and their influence on geomorphic and geochemical processes and ecological function. Surface and groundwater are considered as an integrated system, including both their flows and quality. Students will become familiar with hydrological processes and the techniques required to address water security and landscape management, with a focus on Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. Practicals, problem-solving workshops and field studies provide opportunities to develop skills in sampling, analysing and presenting data that relate to catchment characteristics, processes and change.
Note: This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- describe hydrological processes and their importance in environmental management;
- interpret the relationships between climate, water and the regolith which control water availability and quality;
- explain the principles of, and demonstrate field skills in, hydrological measurement;
- analyse practical examples of hydrology and landscape in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region;
- assess the relationship between raw data and the interpretation(s) that stem from them, and how limited or poor quality data influence management decisions;
- evaluate how the balance between water availability, supply and quality informs natural resource management;
Work Integrated Learning
Fieldwork
All students engage with WIL partners (internal/external) as a minor component of the course
Indicative Assessment
- Online quizzes (30) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Field report (30) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Research Paper (40) [LO 1,2,4,5,6]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours including:
- Face-to face (or virtual) component of 65 hours delivered intensively over 2 weeks comprising: lectures, practicals and (actual and/or virtual) field excursions
- Approximately 65 hours of self directed study which preparation for lectures, practicals, field excursions and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
Students in this course must participate in a series of field trips. This requires students to be able to:
- Travel to the field location;
- Move through different natural environments, often navigating rough terrain, carrying sampling equipment and working in variable weather conditions;
- Monitor and manage their own health while studying and engaging with a small group of people in an isolated field location;
- Understand and respect the needs of other participants and act professionally throughout the trip.
For more information and requirements, please refer to the field trips information page.
Students who cannot meet these requirements should discuss with the convenor. All field trips are compulsory. Absences require a medical certificate.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Fenner School of Environment and Society to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Davie, T. (2008) Fundamentals of Hydrology, Routledge, London (available online)Assumed Knowledge
Some basic understanding of science is desirable.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1196 | 27 Jan 2025 | 28 Jan 2025 | 07 Feb 2025 | 14 Mar 2025 | In Person | View |