Studying online
There are now 3 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Units available in Online Restricted mode have been adapted for online study only for those students who require the unit to complete their studies and who are unable to attend campus owing to exceptional circumstances beyond their control. To be enrolled in a unit in Online Restricted mode, students should contact their Student Advising Office through askUWA
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
The aim of this unit is to gain a quantitative knowledge of the fluid dynamics of both freshwater and marine environments. Topics covered include: the physical laws governing fluid motion and exact solutions, an introduction to scaling as a means of simplifying complex equations; an introduction to turbulence—Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes equations, basic statistical descriptions and concept of eddy viscosity, molecular versus turbulent diffusion; mixing in rivers—boundary layers, velocity profiles, hydraulic jumps, transport equation, shear dispersion; mixing in a density-stratified fluid—models of mixing, concept of mixing efficiency and mixing across density interfaces, applications to estuaries, the coastal ocean and lakes; and turbulent jet, plume and buoyant jet dynamics for wastewater discharge design.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 3 core unit in the Environmental Engineering major sequence
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) explain the equations that govern the mean flow in environmental systems and derive solutions for flow fields under simplified conditions; (2) characterise turbulence in environmental flows and its impact on instantaneous flow properties and mixing; (3) predict the spatial and temporal variability of flows in riverine, coastal and atmospheric systems; (4) distinguish between molecular diffusion, turbulent diffusion and shear dispersion and apply these concepts to quantify mass transport in environmental flows; (5) describe the extent to which density stratification can control flow and mixing in environmental systems; and (6) use inquiry-based approaches in the laboratory investigation of important problems in environmental fluid mechanics.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) assignments; (2) laboratories; and (3) final examination. Further information is available in the unit outline.
Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.
- Unit Coordinator(s)
- Dr Marco Ghisalberti
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- and Enrolment inBachelor of Engineering (Honours) or an associated Combined Degree
- Incompatibility
- ENVE4403 Fluid Transport, Mixing and Dispersion (ID 2573)
- Contact hours
- lectures: 2 per week
practical sessions: 2 per week
laboratories: two 3-hour sessions per semester - Recommended
reading -
Fischer, H. B. et al. Mixing in Inland and Coastal Waters: Academic Press 1979
Fox, R. W., McDonald, A. T. and Pritchard, P. J. Introduction to Fluid Mechanics, 6th edn: Wiley 2004
Gerhart, P. M., Gross, R. J. and Hochstein, J. I. Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics, 2nd edn: Addison-Wesley Publication 1993
Kundu, P. K. and Cohen, I. M. Fluid Mechanics, 3rd edn: Elsevier Academic Press 2004
Munson, B. R., Young, D. F. and Okiishi, T. H. Fundamentals of Fluid Mechanics: Wiley 2002
Tennekes, H. and Lumley, J. A First Course in Turbulence: MIT Press 1972
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Unit readings, including any essential textbooks, are listed in the unit outline for each unit, one week prior the commencement of study. The unit outline will be available via the LMS and the UWA Handbook one week prior the commencement of study. Reading lists and essential textbooks are subject to change each semester. Information on essential textbooks will also be made available on the Essential Textbooks. This website is updated regularly in the lead up to semester so content may change. It is recommended that students purchase essential textbooks for convenience due to the frequency with which they will be required during the unit. A limited number of textbooks will be made available from the Library in print and will also be made available online wherever possible. Essential textbooks can be purchased from the commercial vendors to secure the best deal. The Student Guild can provide assistance on where to purchase books if required. Books can be purchased second hand at the Guild Secondhand bookshop (second floor, Guild Village), which is located on campus.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.