ENVS2009

Catchment and Water Resource Management

10 Units 2000 Level Course

Available in 2014

Callaghan Campus Semester 2
Ourimbah Semester 2

Previously offered in 2013, 2012

The management of inland water resources requires a holistic understanding of the basic ecology of freshwater systems, factors that impact water quality and the balance between water use by humans and maintenance of healthy aquatic habitats. In this course, students will examine ways to assess water and aquatic habitat quality and management of water resources. The course will include local and regional case studies and examples.

This course has a compulsory course component of a weekend field excursion. Details and costs will be advised in the course outline and on the course Blackboard site prior to semester starting.

In order to participate in this course, students must complete a compulsory Health and Safety requirement. Students will receive full information on this compulsory component in the course outline provided by the school.

Objectives On successful completion of this course students will have developed:

1. knowledge of the ecological principles underlying the management of freshwater systems.
2. the ability to critically evaluate the current issues and challenges related to the management of freshwater resources. 3. practical skills in freshwater habitat and water quality assessment incluing data collection, analyses and interpretation.
4. the ability to clearly report findings and make evidence-based recommendations about the condition of aquatic habitats and water quality.
Content - Hydrological cycle and Australia's water resources
- Key physical and chemical processes in running and standing waters
- Basic ecology of running and standing waters
- Ecological impacts of water development and water pollution
- Methods for assessing water quality for ecological health and human consumption
- Source water treatment and supply
- Wastewater treatment, disposal and recycling
- Urban stormwater management and water sensitive urban design
- Policies and legislation for water management
Replacing Course(s) SRMT2030
Transition SRMT2030 is not to count for credit with ENVS2009
Industrial Experience 0
Assumed Knowledge ENVS1001 and (BIOL1002 or BIOL1050)
Modes of Delivery Internal Mode
Teaching Methods Lecture
Practical
Assessment Items
Examination: Class
Essays / Written Assignments
Examination: Formal
Contact Hours Lecture: for 2 hour(s) per Week for Full Term
Field Study: for 20 hour(s) per Term for Full Term
Practical: for 3 hour(s) per Week for 9 weeks
Compulsory Components
Compulsory Course Component The course will include a compulsory weekend field excursion that will usually occur in August. This trip supports course learning objectives 3 and 4 since it will involve sampling and assessment of aquatic habitats (objective 3) and will provide data that are used for a written report on water quality assessment (objective 4). Students will be required to pay a non-refundable fee of approximately $200 for this trip. Students will be permitted to miss the excursion only in cases of documented adverse circumstances. Due to the need to book accommodation and organise field sampling eqiupment and academic staff to supervise the field activities, it will not be possible for students who miss the scheduled trip to participate in the activity at a later date. In these cases, students will be expected to conduct a more extensive literature review and develop an expanded methods section and discussion for the written report in lieu of participating in the trip.
Timetables 2014 Course Timetables for ENVS2009