The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of issues and methods in water resources management, and is set especially within the framework of total, or integrated, catchment management. The course gives an introduction to the unique hydrology of Australia, major issues of water resource management, the implications of past water management practices, the principles of integrated catchment management and sustainability, and current management tools and strategies.

Topics will include: the components of the hydrological cycle; impacts of land and water management on water quantity and quality; water demand and allocation among users, including the environment; the institutional and policy aspects of Water Resource Management (WRM); onground strategies of WRM; and integrated modelling of water and land resources. The course emphasises the interdisciplinarity of water resource management and examines integrated assessment, which is a method that seeks to solve water management problems by investigating the physical, economic, social and institutional components of a problem.

 

Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. understand the complex interplay between people, climate, land, water and economic development in water resource management in Australia
2. explain how the changing balance over time in water availability, demand for water and value of water informs (and has been informed by) the history of development, institutional arrangements, policy and management
3. demonstrate familiarity with a range of water resource management issues, including origins, impacts and management interventions in both rural and urban settings
4. integrate information from a range of disciplines into a comprehensive picture of a water resource management issue
5. appreciate the relationship between raw data and the interpretation(s) that stem from it, and how a lack of knowledge or uncertain knowledge influences resource management decision-making
6. consider and use a range of methods for tackling water resource management problems

Research-Led Teaching

The research activities of the course convenor and a number of guest lecturers complement and underpin this course. The tutorials engage students in active enquiry based learning opportunities that are derived from current research in water management around the world.

Field Trips

There will be one field trip offered to graduate students. The timing of this will be negotiated early in the semester. There is no extra cost for this trip for students. Participants need to bring a snack, drinking water, writing utensils, and wear closed shoes and a hat. Volunteer student drivers and first aiders will be sought.

Additional Course Costs

There are no extra costs for students.

Examination Material or equipment

There is no formal examination for this course, however, there is an open book test in the final week of semester in which reading materials are permitted.

Required Resources

No special resources are required.

Recommended Resources

There are no required reference materials for this course. Readings will be posted on Wattle each week, and students are encouraged to search the literature for relevant papers and reference material.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments on assignments;
• Written and verbal comments on group presentations;
• Verbal feedback to the whole class on group activities and on assignments;
• Additional, individual feedback on request.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Lecture A: Introduction: the water resource base and its development Lecture B: Water supply, use and values Tutorial: Introduction
2	Lecture A: Water ethics Lecture B: Indigenous water Tutorial
3	Lecture A: River regulation Lecture B: Irrigation Tutorial
4	Lecture A: Mining and water Lecture B: ASS Tutorial
5	Lecture A: Integrated water resources management - IWRM Lecture B: Catchment assessment Tutorial
6	Lecture A: Environmental water Lecture B: Water sharing in the WDB Basin Tutorial
7	Lecture A: Urban water and sustainability Lecture B: Peri-urbanisation Tutorial	Research report due cob Wednesday 27 April (50%)
8	Lecture A: Water management and ecology Lecture B: Stakeholder engagement Tutorial
9	Lecture A: Remote sensing in water management Lecture B: Hydrologic modelling Tutorial
10	Lecture A: Remote sensing in water management Lecture B: Hydrologic modelling Tutorial
11	Lecture A: Global issues: transboundary water Lecture B: Global issues: water conflicts Tutorial: Open book test
12	Lecture A: Ecohydrology and humanitarian engineering Lecture B: Preparing for New Futures	Open book test 26 May (20%)

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Tutorial facilitation and report	30 %	24/02/2020	29/05/2020	2,3,4
Research paper	50 %	27/04/2020	06/05/2020	2,3,4,6
Open book test	20 %	26/05/2020	02/07/2020	1,2,3,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

At the end of the semester, students will take an open book test during class time in which they can bring copies of the lecture powerpoints, and any additional reference material relevant to the course. They may also bring sheets of A4 paper with notes written on both sides (either typed or handwritten). For international students for whom English is a second language, a dictionary without annotations is also permitted.

Only three (3) questions need to be answered, one from each section of the paper. The exam will be two hours long so the answers are expected to be ~ 2-3 pages long, and can be illustrated with diagrams.

Value: 20%

Assessment Task 1

Tutorial facilitation and report

Tutorial facilitation (15%) and report (15%) - total value of assessment task (30%)

Attendance at tutorials is compulsory regardless of whether you are a facilitator or part of the audience, unless prior written approval has been given by the convenor.

Details of task: 

The tutorials are designed so that every week, two tutorial sessions will be facilitated by a pair of students for 45 minutes each. Every student has the opportunity to facilitate a session throughout the semester. Note that the number of presentations and length of this session are contingent on the size of the class. Normally we would expect a 2 hour session comprising 2 presentations.  

You will be paired with a ‘buddy’ so that you can work together as a team. The facilitating graduate students will lead discussions based on critical assessment of a publication they have chosen, the topic of which is linked to one of the previous week’s lectures. 

You must choose a topic using examples and/or case studies from a location other than your own country of origin.

 The selected reading will be posted on Wattle the Friday prior to the tutorial, together with a short summary document describing the issue that will be focus of the tutorial. 

The format of the tutorial is a 15 minute powerpoint presentation, 25 minutes of facilitated discussion, and 5 minutes summarizing the key points arising out of the class discussion.

Each of the two facilitating students then write an individual paper (1500 words) which is submitted for assessment two weeks after their tutorial. This paper critically examines the topic of the tutorial, drawing on not only the core reading that was used in that exercise, but also additional, relevant material.

Students who are not presenting a tutorial need to provide evidence of preparation for the tutorial each week. On arrival at the tutorial you need to submit three key messages that have arisen out of your reading of each of the journal papers that are the focus of the week’s tutorial.  

These messages or points of interest may: identify gaps or limitations in the paper (critical analysis of the paper); seek additional information that you have considered would be useful and could be directed at the student presenting the tutorial (active tutorial participation); and/or additional information that has piqued your interest and demonstrates deeper learning (reflective thinking). The questions are to be submitted in hardcopy on a single sheet of paper with the following information at the top of the page:

• your name and university ID,
• the semester week number, and the topic of the tutorial

Submission of these questions at the time of the tutorial will be graded Pass/Fail but at the end of the semester you will be provided with an aggregated mark out of 10%.  

Tutorial facilitation (refer to rubric in the Course Outline on Wattle)

Word limit: 45 minutes presentation time, including 15 minutes presentation, 25 minutes facilitated discussion and 5 minutes summary

Value: 15% 

Estimated return date: Feedback provided within one week of presentation

Tutorial report (refer to rubric in the Course Outline on Wattle)

Word limit: 1500 words plus references 

Value: 15%

Estimated return date: 2 weeks after submission

Assessment Task 2

Research paper

Students will undertake a research-based investigation of a water resource management issue, choosing one of the following:

• Indigenous water rights
• Environmental water
• Impacts of river regulation 
• Water conservation in water scarce environments
• Water pollution
• Transboundary water conflicts and pathways to resolution
• Water diplomacy

You must choose a topic using examples and/or case studies that are not located in your own country of origin.   

Word limit: 3000 plus tables and references.  

Value: 50% 

To be submitted in hardcopy to the FSES ENVS3005/6555 assignment box by cob April 27th and electronically via TURNITIN on Wattle.  

Estimated return date: Feedback provided within two weeks of submission

Rubric: Available in the Course Outline on Wattle

Assessment Task 3

Open book test

At the end of the semester, students will take an open book test during class time in which they can bring copies of the lecture power points, and any additional reference material relevant to the course. For international students for whom English is a second language, a dictionary without annotations is also permitted

Only three (3) questions need to be answered, one from each section of the paper. The exam will be two hours long so the answers are expected to be ~ 2-3 pages long, and can be illustrated with diagrams

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

Assignments are submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site. You will be required to attach an assignment cover sheet and electronically sign that declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records.

Hardcopy Submission

Hard copy submission is also required by placing the assignment with a signed assignment cover sheet attached, into the ENVS3005/6555 assignment box in the Forestry Building (48) of the Fenner School.

The Open Book Test will be submitted in booklets provided for the purpose.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure.

The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request it in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Feedback on assignments is provided on the hard copy submissions, and results are posted up on the Wattle grade sheet.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Re-submission of assignments is not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students