Environmental Hydrology

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2008:

Usually 37.5 points of second/third year subjects including 121-018: Geomorphology or 654-204 Ecology: Individuals and Populations or 606-204 Ecology: Communities and Ecosystems or equivalent as approved by the subject coordinator.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject examines principles in the two disciplines of hydrology and ecology, emphasising the use of both to understand environmental management problems in rivers. The subject examines water in terms of quantity and quality; the physical channel and floodplain systems in which it is conveyed and stored; and the population, community and ecosystem dynamics of the organisms that occupy these systems. Through practicals and fieldwork students should develop skills in acquiring, analysing and presenting hydrological data relating to catchment characteristics, and in identification and proper field sampling of stream biota. Students should become aware of the multidisciplinary nature of environmental management and the need for critical examination of ideas in the literature.

Practicals 20%, a field report of 3000 words 35% (due late May), a group exercise 25% (due late May) and a 2-hour exam 20% (during the examination period).

• be able to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in applied ecology;

• be able to design, conduct and report on original research based on field and/or laboratory investigation;

• be able to work effectively in projects which require team-work;

• be able to use advanced numerical and computer techniques applicable to ecological analysis and interpretation.

• be able to conduct sample surveys and carry out basic quantification of water quantity and quality.

Students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 degree), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc) may receive 300-level science credit on the completion of this subject.

Credit cannot be obtained for both this subject and former Faculty of Arts subjects 121-349 Principles of Environmental Hydrology or 121-350 Techniques in Environmental Hydrology.