This course is of interest to students in science, environment, engineering, law and other disciplines because of the importance of water resources to our society. The course will include the study of changes in water in the landscape, traditional methods of observing and modelling hydrological processes, what we can (and cannot) measure and how satellite observations complement and/or replace traditional approaches. Students will learn about a variety of satellite missions designed to measure soil moisture, total water storage and river/dam levels.  Emphasis will be on the quantification of changes in water resources and the way in which remotely sensed observations can transform hydrology modelling.

Laboratory: The practical component will include the analysis of actual observations related to water resources (precipitation, total water storage, depth to groundwater etc) through the development of python software.

  

Honours Pathway Option

Additional readings of greater conceptual difficulty requiring an advanced scientific understanding will be made available for students enrolled in the Honours pathway option (HPO). 20 per cent of the marks available on the exam will be answers to alternate questions for HPO students. Integration of this material in the independent project will be expected.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the different components of water in the landscape and how they interact.
2. Undertake quantitative analysis and interpretation of actual data related to water in Australia.
3. Understand a variety of remote sensing satellite missions and how the observations inform water research.
4. Critically evaluate technical reports and journal articles.
5. Synthesise key concepts in hydrology and/or remote sensing to understand changes in water resources.

Research-Led Teaching

There will be numerous opportunities for research-led teaching in the course, including the examination of recent research articles and reports (and their data), as well the

opportunity for independent study.

Field Trips

no field trips associated with this course

Examination Material or equipment

scientific calculator permitted in final exam

Recommended Resources

A list of recommended textbooks will be provided in class and placed on Wattle.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

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

• Written comments and results on submitted assessment pieces.
• Verbal feedback to the class, small groups or individuals.
• Other methods as required.

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.

Other Information

An Honours Pathway Option (HPO) exists for this course, and will consist of extra questions on the assessment reports. Please let me know if you are interested in taking up

this option.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Weekly activities: Mon 11am-12pm: Lecture (in-person/online) Tue 9-10 am: Lecture (in-person/online) Wed 5-6 pm: Tutorial (in-person/online) Fri 9-11 am: Computing lab (in-person/online)

Tutorial Registration

not required

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Written critique of a paper	10 %	08/08/2022	19/08/2022	1,2,3
Computing assignment 1	10 %	29/08/2022	12/09/2022	1,2,3
Computing Assignment 2	15 %	28/10/2022	04/11/2022	1,2,3
Computing assignment 3	15 %	03/10/2022	17/10/2022	1,2,3
Oral critique of a scientific paper	10 %	19/09/2022	26/09/2022	2,3,4,5
Final exam	40 %	*	*	1,2,3

* 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 Academic Integrity . 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)

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held and results returned to the student (official end of Semester results released on ISIS). Students should consult the course wattle site and the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

Written critique of a paper

Assess the quality of a scientific paper, selected from a list provided. Provide a (very) brief summary but, more importantly, explain: • What you did and did not understand, • What was well done/poorly done, • What the scientific community thought of the paper, • What impact the paper had/did not have, and why

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 2

Computing assignment 1

Details of all assignments will be distributed in the relevant class and made available on Wattle.

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 3

Computing Assignment 2

Details of all assignments will be distributed in the relevant class and made available on Wattle.

Value: 15%

Assessment Task 4

Computing assignment 3

Details of all assignments will be distributed in the relevant class and made available on Wattle.

Value: 15%

Assessment Task 5

Oral critique of a scientific paper

Assess the quality of a scientific paper, selected from a list provided. Provide a (very) brief summary but, more importantly, explain: • What you did and did not understand • What was well done/poorly done • What the scientific community thought of the paper • What impact the paper had/did not have, and why 

Value: 10%

Assessment Task 6

Final exam

A written exam will be held during the examination period at the end of Semester 2

Value: 40%

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

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Computing assignment submissions: students should submit their python code and all relevant input files required to run their code (unless they are standard, unmodified input files from external sources).

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

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 will be returned via wattle directly to the students

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

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