This course examines global freshwater hydrology, including precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, soil moisture, groundwater, and interactions between these components. Students use quantitative methods to analyse real water-resource data. The course includes observational methods from remote sensing where they support the study of freshwater systems. Students complete advanced analysis that requires independent method selection, evaluation of uncertainty, and synthesis of evidence from multiple datasets.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Critically explain interactions among precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff, soil moisture, and groundwater in freshwater systems.
- Design and conduct independent quantitative analyses of real freshwater datasets from Australia and other regions.
- Select and integrate observations from remote sensing and other data sources to investigate freshwater hydrological processes.
- Critically evaluate hydrological methods, technical reports, and scientific literature, including their assumptions, uncertainty, and limitations.
- Synthesise evidence from multiple datasets and hydrological concepts to develop and justify interpretations of water-resource change.
Other Information
Students in this course must be able to access a computer onto which python can be installed. Assistance is provided in class to install python and computers can be provided if any student does not have their own.
Indicative Assessment
- Oral presentation of paper critique (20) [LO 1,3,4,5]
- Tutorial participation (10) [LO 1,3,4,5]
- Computing assignments x3 (Precipitation, Soil Moisture, Groundwater) (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Theory Examination (30) [LO 1,3,4,5]
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 throughout the semester including:
- The face-to-face component may consist of 2 x 1-hour lectures, 1 x 2-hour practical and 1 x 1-hour tutorial per week.
- Approximately 60 hours of self directed study which will include preparation for lectures and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions and activities.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Tim Davie (2008), Fundamentals of Hydrology, 2nd ed., Routledge - precipitation, evaporation, runoff, surface hydrology.
Franklin W. Schwartz & Hubao Zhang (2024), Fundamentals of Groundwater, 2nd ed., Wiley - soil moisture, aquifers, flow theory, groundwater management.
Preliminary Reading
Canvas is the authoritative portal for course information, announcements, assessment, and submissions. The Global Water Resources course website is watercourse.earth. It provides rendered lecture slides, portable programming tutorials, computer laboratory materials, and supplementary resources. These resources are easier to access and use on watercourse.earth than in Canvas.
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 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9129 | 26 Jul 2027 | 02 Aug 2027 | 31 Aug 2027 | 29 Oct 2027 | In Person | N/A |