Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
This unit covers numerical modelling techniques as applied to aquatic and atmospheric ecosystems; model goals, concepts and selection; conservation equations; surface and boundary fluxes; advection diffusion models; and process-based models. The unit provides an introduction of the fundamentals of environmental systems and their dynamics. This is based on acquired knowledge in foundation and stream units and explicitly uses understanding, knowledge and tools introduced in the undergraduate program in an environmental context. The unit covers the definition of environmental systems, external forcing, water, heat and momentum budgets, the utilisation of external forcing by organisms, biogeochemical cycling, an introduction to surface and subsurface hydrology, ecological processes and ecosystem functioning, and finally global warming and carbon budgets. Engineering case studies are used to highlight the systems approach to environmental issues. The unit consists of four modules: (1) external forcing and energy supply and its effects on environmental systems; (2) climate change, ocean dynamics and global carbon cycle�implications for engineering and society; (3) ecological processes and ecosystem function across scales ranging from local to global; and (4) advanced catchment hydrology and ecosystem processes.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) function effectively as a multidisciplinary team; (2) write concise technical reports; (3) make oral presentation of results from an environmental modelling case study; (4) locate and evaluate sources of information; (5) utilise numerical modeling to understand environmental problems; (6) explain model concepts—modelling procedure, types of models, verification, parameter estimation, validation and modelling constraints; (7) demonstrate a familiarity with commercial and research codes that are commonly applied to studies of freshwater, coastal and estuarine systems; (8) utilise existing field data sets as input to force models, and use field data to validate model performance; and (9) display results from model simulations.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) tutorial assignments; (2) grid generation; and (3) a group project. 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)
- Professor Charitha Pattiaratchi
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- enrolment inthe Master of Professional Engineering.
for pre-2012 courses: none - Incompatibility
- ENVE4606 Environmental Modelling
- 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.
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
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.