Water availability and quality is a critical issue for the environment and for people. Effective use and management of water resources will continue to be one of the highest priorities for local, regional and national authorities and for the global community due to increased pressure from population growth, agricultural, commercial and industrial growth, as well as environmental and climate variability and change. The Water Science and Management specialisation provides the opportunity to develop your understanding of water resources and their management, including surface water and groundwater in terrestrial and coastal environments. You can develop expertise to: interpret quantitative surface and groundwater flow and water quality data; design assessment and monitoring programs for water resources; provide the technical results to underpin effective management strategies and policies for water resource use; evaluate water resources policy; and facilitate the nexus between water science, policy and management.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
1. Analyse critically information about the distribution, quality and use of water resources in Australia, the Australasian region and the world, and apply this to the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data relevant to water quantity and quality
2. Develop the cognitive, technical and creative skills to develop quantitative predictions relevant for surface water and groundwater budgets and flow
3. Critically reflect on and evaluate the impacts of climate, land use, and agricultural, commercial and industrial activity on the quality of surface water and groundwater, including interactions with biology, atmosphere, regolith and rocks
4. Communicate effectively through writing scientific and technical reports and oral presentations for specialist and non-specialist audiences
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
This specialisation requires the completion of 24 units, which must consist of:
6 units from completion of the following course(s):
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENVS6304 | Land and Catchment Management | 6 |
A minimum of 6 units must come from completion of courses from the following list:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENVS6021 | Participatory Resource Management: Working with Communities and Stakeholders | 6 |
| ENVS6514 | Ecological Assessment and Management | 6 |
| ENVS6302 | Sustainable Agricultural Practices | 6 |
A maximum of 12 units may come from completion of courses from the following list:
| Code | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| ENVS6022 | Hydrology and Landforms for Natural Resource Management | 6 |
| ENVS6023 | Vegetation and Soils | 6 |
| ENVS6024 | Biodiversity Conservation | 6 |
| ENVS6010 | Australia's Forests | 6 |
| ENVS6026 | Managing Forested Landscapes | 6 |
| ENVS6308 | Fire in the Environment | 6 |
| ENVS6555 | Water Resource Management | 6 |
