Integrated River & Catchment Management

Subject GEOG90003 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 12.50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.

Time Commitment: Contact Hours: One 2-hour lecture/seminar per week plus 3 days of field work during the semester.
Total Time Commitment: Not available
Prerequisites:

Admission to the postgraduate diploma or masters programs in Environmental Studies.

Corequisites: None
Recommended Background Knowledge: None
Non Allowed Subjects: None
Core Participation Requirements:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Contact

Melbourne School of Land & Environment Student Centre
Ground Floor, Melbourne School of Land & Environment (building 142)

Enquiries
Phone: 13 MELB (13 6352)
Email: 13MELB@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

Rivers are amongst the hardest of natural resources to manage. They are long and thin, and so maximise the impact of catchment changes; they also focus environmental, social and production pressures. Rivers are the archetypal example of the conflict between private and public goods. In most western countries we have done an effective job of degrading these resources. This subject equips students to manage rivers more effectively by integrating catchment management activities. In reality, there are not many things that we do to manage rivers: change flow, change water quality, change riparian vegetation, or make structural changes to the river. In the course we concentrate on (a) how much do you have to alter each of these management levers in order to produce the most cost effective improvements in river condition and sustainability; (b) how do we integrate the management of many levers at different scales; and (c) how do we evaluate whether we have had any effect. The principles for managing rivers apply to managing most natural resources, so students can be confident of learning general principles.

Objectives:

N/A

Assessment:

Review of a catchment management plan, 1,500 words 25% (due near the beginning of the semester), trajectory report of 1,500 words 25% (due mid-semester), fieldwork trip report of 3,000 words 50% (due near the end of semester).

Prescribed Texts:

N/A

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:
  • design, conduct and report on original research based on field and/or laboratory investigation;
  • work effectively in projects which require team-work;
  • articulate their knowledge and understanding in oral and written presentations;
Related Course(s): Master of Science (Geography)
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations: 100 Point Master of Development Studies (CWT)
150 Point Master of Development Studies (CWT)
200 Point Master of Development Studies (CWT)
Conservation, Restoration and Landscape Management
Environmental Science
Environmental Science
Integrated Water Catchment Management

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