Course overview
- Description
Hydrogeology deals with the distribution, flow and interaction of groundwater with the Earth including the hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere. The subject investigates the chemical, physical and biological interactions occurring between water, soils/rocks, the environment and society. This course develops students' abilities to deal with topics such as groundwater dynamics, exploration, drilling and aquifer tests, sustainable allocation of groundwater, contamination and computer modelling.
- Course title
- Master of Hydrogeology (coursework or coursework and dissertation)
- Award abbreviation
- MHydrGeo
- Course code
- 72540
- Course type
- Master's degree by coursework or by coursework and dissertation
- Status
- Current / 2025
- Administered by
- Earth Sciences
- CRICOS code
- 074963C
Course details
- Intake periods
- Beginning of year and mid-year
- Attendance type
- Full- or part-time (Student visa holders should read Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 for more information.)
- Articulation
- The Master of Hydrogeology has the following exit awards: 72240 Graduate Certificate in Hydrogeology (24 points) (24 points), 72340 Graduate Diploma in Hydrogeology (48 points) (48 points)
- Credit points required
- 96
A standard full-time load is 24 points per semester. - Standard course duration
- 1.5 years (duration may vary for mid year commencement) full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising 72 points of taught units and 24 points of admission credit, as recognised and granted by the School
- Maximum course duration
- 2 years full-time (or equivalent part-time) comprising up to 96 points of taught study (see Rule 5 for further information)
- Time limit
- 4 years
- Delivery mode
- Internal
- Locations offered
- UWA (Perth)
- Domestic fee type
- Commonwealth supported and/or HECS-HELP
- Available to international students
- Yes. For information on international student fees see 'Student Procedures: Fees'. (Enquiries: https://www.uwa.edu.au/askuwa)
- Course Coordinator(s)
- Dr Sarah Bourke
- Fees
- Visit the fees calculator.
Prospective students should see the Future Students website for details on admission requirements, intake periods, fees, availability to international students, careers information etc.
Example Study Plan
See study plans for more information.
Specialisations
Course structure
Key to availability of units:
- S1
- Semester 1
- S2
- Semester 2
- SS
- summer teaching period
- NS
- non-standard teaching period
All units have a value of six points unless otherwise stated.
Students who have not completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the course must complete relevant conversion units up to the value of 24 points from this group, as advised by the School(s):
Note: Take units up to the value of 24 points from this group
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | ENVT4411 | Geographic Information Systems Applications |
| The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. This includes podcasts for viewing and reading to be undertaken prior to attending one compulsory 3-hour workshop per week where students will be contributing to interactive discussions together with practical lab work using GIS software. Completion of the practical workshop labs is necessary to enable skills for completing written unit assessment. Independent learning is required throughout the unit. |
| S2 | GEOS4403 | Introduction to Basin Analysis |
| workshops: up to 3 hours per week |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4401 | Data Use in Science |
| 24 hours. The total workload for this unit is 150 hours. |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4403 | Ethical Conduct and Communication in Science | Weekly face-to-face OR online workshops. This unit runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2, and can be taken in either semester. |
Take all units (30 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | GEOS4401 | Hydrogeological Systems | None | Workshops: 2 x 4 hours per week for up to 7 weeks. Total workload is 150 hours. |
| S1, S2 | GEOS4499 | Water in a Changing Climate |
| 2 x 3 hr workshops per week for 8 weeks |
| S2 | GEOS5501 | Groundwater Flow Modelling |
| lectures/labs: 2 x 4 hrs per week for 6 weeks. Total workload is 150 hours. |
| * | GEOS5504 | Mining Hydrogeology |
| workshops: up to 4 hours per week for 8 weeks |
| NS | GEOS5511 | Groundwater Hydrochemistry |
| workshops up to 2 x 3 hours per week; total workload is 150 hours |
For students in course by coursework only, take one unit to the value of 6 points from this group:
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NS | GEOS5023 | Hydrogeology Field Excursion |
| Attendance on campus 2 weeks for preparatory workshops. Attendance on field excursion for 5-10 days depending on location. Preparatory workshops and reading undertaken prior to the field excursion, participation in the field excursion and completion of final field report after the field excursion is expected to be ~150 hours. |
| S1, S2, SS | GEOS5502 | Hydrogeology Industry Placement |
| there are no formal contact hours |
For students in course by coursework and dissertation only, take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | GEOS5015 | Masters Research Project in Hydrogeology Part 1 |
| supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction program starting the week before semester. |
| S1, S2 | GEOS5016 | Masters Research Project in Hydrogeology Part 2 | supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction program starting the week before semester. | |
| S1, S2 | GEOS5017 | Masters Research Project in Hydrogeology Part 3 |
| supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction program starting the week before semester. |
| S1, S2 | GEOS5018 | Masters Research Project in Hydrogeology Part 4 | supervision sessions with one or two supervisors over two semesters; independent research and study. Students are guided in this process through an induction program starting the week before semester. |
For students in course by coursework only, take unit(s) to the value of 36 points, of which 4 units must be at Level 5.
For students in course by coursework and dissertation, take unit(s) to the value of 12 points.
| Availability | Unit code | Unitname | Unit requirements | Contact hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ENVT4401 | Advanced Land Use and Management |
| three 2-day blocks (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours) |
| S2 | ENVT4406 | Using Drones for Catchment and Environmental Management |
| lecture/workshop: ~2-3 hours per week; field trip: one-day fieldtrip |
| S1 | ENVT4409 | Remote Sensing of the Environment |
| 42 |
| S1, S2 | ENVT4461 | Assessing Environmental Quality |
| lectures: 1 hour per week; practical classes: 5 hours per week (one practical session involves field work) |
| S2 | ENVT5503 | Remediation of Soils and Groundwater |
| The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
| S1 | ENVT5512 | Ecosystem Biogeochemistry |
| one full day per week for six consecutive weeks (the total workload for the unit is 150 hours) |
| S1 | ENVT5563 | GIS and Spatial Analysis: Waterway Restoration |
| 150 |
| S2 | ENVT5566 | Advanced Spatial and Environmental Modelling |
| total of 150 hours |
| NS | GEOP4002 | Near-Surface and Environmental Geophysics |
| 3 x 4 hour workshops per week for 5 weeks |
| NS | GEOS4410 | Tectonics of Australia in the Indo-Pacific |
| workshops: 3 x 3 hours per week for 6 weeks. The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
| NS | GEOS4413 | Climate Geoscience |
| Lectures and practical work. There may be a one-day field trip (TBC) |
| S2 | GEOS4418 | Basin Analysis Techniques |
| workshops: 1 x 2 hours and 1 x 3 hours per week |
| NS | GEOS5023 | Hydrogeology Field Excursion |
| Attendance on campus 2 weeks for preparatory workshops. Attendance on field excursion for 5-10 days depending on location. Preparatory workshops and reading undertaken prior to the field excursion, participation in the field excursion and completion of final field report after the field excursion is expected to be ~150 hours. |
| S1, S2, SS | GEOS5502 | Hydrogeology Industry Placement |
| there are no formal contact hours |
| S1, S2 | SCIE4402 | Data Management and Analysis in the Natural Sciences |
| 5 days (1 day per fortnight). The total workload for the unit is 150 hours. |
See also the rules for the course and the Student Rules.
Rules
Applicability of the Student Rules, policies and procedures
1.(1) The Student Rules apply to students in this course.
(2) The policy, policy statements and guidance documents and student procedures apply, except as otherwise indicated in the rules for this course.
Academic Conduct Essentials and Communication and Research Skills modules
2.(1) A student who enrols in this course for the first time irrespective of whether they have previously been enrolled in another course of the University, must undertake the Academic Conduct Essentials module (the ACE module) and the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module).
(2) A student must successfully complete the ACE module within the first teaching period of their enrolment. Failure to complete the module within this timeframe will result in the student's unit results from this teaching period being withheld. These results will continue to be withheld until students avail themselves of a subsequent opportunity to achieve a passing grade in the ACE module. In the event that students complete units in subsequent teaching periods without completing the ACE module, these results will similarly be withheld. Students will not be permitted to submit late review or appeal applications regarding results which have been withheld for this reason and which they were unable to access in the normally permitted review period.
English Language competency requirements
3. To be considered eligible for consideration for admission to this course an applicant must satisfy the University's English language competence requirement as set out in the University Policy on Admission: Coursework.
Admission requirements
4. To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—
(a) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;
and
(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent;
and
(c) successfully completed prior tertiary study in geology, environmental engineering, environmental science (including units in hydrology or equivalent), or hydrogeology or in a related cognate discipline as recognised by UWA.
Admission ranking and selection
5. Where relevant, admission will be awarded to the highest ranked applicants or applicants selected based on the relevant requirements.
Articulations and exit awards
6.(1) This course has the following exit awards:
- 72240 Graduate Certificate in Hydrogeology (24 points)
- 72340 Graduate Diploma in Hydrogeology (48 points)
(2) A student who withdraws from the Master of Hydrogeology course before completing it, but after completing 24 points excluding conversion units, with at least 12 points of core units, of which a minimum of 6 points must be degree core
, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Certificate in Hydrogeology.
(3) A student who withdraws from the Master of Hydrogeology course before completing it, but after completing 48 points at Level 4 or Level 5, which includes the course core units, may apply to the School to be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Hydrogeology.
Course structure
7.(1) The course consists of units to a total value of 96 points (maximum value) which include conversion units to a value of 24 points.
(2) Units must be selected in accordance with the course structure, as set out in these rules.
(3) Students who have completed tertiary units that are deemed equivalent to the conversion units for the course are granted credit for conversion units up to a value of 24 points.
Satisfactory progress
8. To make satisfactory progress a student must pass units to a point value greater than half the total value of units in which they remain enrolled after the final date for withdrawal without academic penalty.
9. A student who has not achieved a result of Ungraded Pass (UP) for the Communication and Research Skills module (the CARS module) when their progress status is assessed will not have made satisfactory progress even if they have met the other requirements for satisfactory progress in Rule 8.
Progress status
10.(1) A student who makes satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 8 is assigned the status of 'Good Standing'.
(2) Unless the relevant board determines otherwise because of exceptional circumstances—
(a) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the first time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'On Probation';
(b) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the second time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Suspended';
(c) a student who does not make satisfactory progress for the third time under Rule 8 is assigned a progress status of 'Excluded'.
11. A student who does not make satisfactory progress in terms of Rule 9 is assigned the progress status of 'On Probation', unless they have been assigned a progress status of 'Suspended' or 'Excluded' for failure to meet other satisfactory progress requirements in Rule 8.
Award with distinction
12. To be awarded the degree with distinction a student must achieve a course weighted average mark (WAM) of at least 80 per cent which is calculated based on—
(a) all units above Level 3 attempted as part of the course that are awarded a final percentage mark;
(b) all relevant units above Level 3 undertaken in articulating courses of this University that are awarded a final percentage mark;
and
(c) all units above Level 3 completed at this University that are credited to the master's degree course.
Deferrals
13. Applicants awarded admission to the course are entitled to a deferral of up to 12 months, as per the University Policy on: Admissions (Coursework).
Additional rules
Research project
14. Students who request approval to undertake a research project as an optional unit in this course must—
(i) have a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3 units in their UWA undergraduate major. These units must be relevant to the Masters Specialisation; or
(ii) have a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent in at least 24 points of Level 3, 4 and 5 units completed within the course; or
(iii) equivalent as recognised by the Faculty; and a supervisor, approved by the Faculty, must have confirmed their willingness and availability to supervise the research project.