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 provides a holistic treatment of the field of hydrology with a focus on process understanding in relation to the catchment water balance and topics relevant to water management. A focus is given to understanding and quantitative descriptions of the surface and subsurface components of the hydrological cycle allowing students to appreciate the fundamentals of the disciplines of both surface hydrology and hydrogeology. Students gain an understanding of a range of biophysical processes through exposition of fundamental theories and process descriptions, combined with analysis and interpretation of observed data. Contemporary topics related to water management such as managing pollution, water resource allocation and river management are introduced. In addition to lectures, assignments and computer-based data analyses, field and laboratory work exposes students to practical applications and approaches to hydrological measurements.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 2 UWA (Perth) Face to face Semester 2 Albany Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 2 core unit in the Environmental Science; Geographical Sciences; Integrated Earth and Marine Sciences; Environmental Science and Management; Environmental Science and Ecology; Environmental Engineering; Geographical and Spatial Science major sequences
- Level 2 option in the Geology major sequence
- Level 2 elective
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) source routine hydrological information and summarise key processes governing the water balance across scales from field plots to the whole of catchment; (2) understand the climate and weather drivers of the water balance; (3) identify critical factors controlling runoff generation and assess runoff based on soil and rainfall properties; (4) understand how water moves through unsaturated soil and how groundwater moves; (5) assess the role of vegetation on the water balance and how land-use change impacts upon hydrological pathways; and (6) apply this knowledge to practical environmental hydrology problems related to water resources, environmental flow allocation, and water quality and contamination issues in agricultural, urban and mining impacted landscapes.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) practical reports (x2)
- data analysis practical report
-field/lab practical exercises and vignette; (2) catchment management report; and (3) online theory assessments. 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 Matt Hipsey
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Successful completion of
- Contact hours
- lectures: 2 hours per week
computer/modelling exercises/labs and field work: 2 hours per week - Texts
-
Ward, A. D. and Trimble, S. W. Environmental Hydrology, 3rd edn: Lewis Publishers 2014
Gordon, N. D. et al. Stream Hydrology: an Introduction for Ecologists, 2nd edn: Wiley Publishers 2004
- Recommended
reading -
Hornberger, G. M. et al. Elements of Physical Hydrology: John Hopkins University Press 1998
Bras, R. L. Hydrology: an Introduction to Hydrologic Science: Addison-Wesley 1990
Chow, V. T. et al. Applied Hydrology: McGraw-Hill 1988
Dingman, S. L. Physical Hydrology: Prentice-Hall 1993
Shaw, E. M. Hydrology in Practice: Chapman & Hall 1994
Tindall, J. A. and Kunkel, J. R. Unsaturated Zone Hydrology for Scientists and Engineers: Prentice-Hall 1999
- 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.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- 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.