Water for Sustainable Futures

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2011:

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/

Water is fundamental to life on our planet, shaping landscapes, natural ecosystems and civilizations. Whether the subject of conflict or a source of creativity, there is nothing more important in the Australian landscape than water, and, arguably, we face no greater challene than its sustainable management. Globally water will become an increasingly valuable resource as populsations grow and climate change alters natural distributions of rainfall.

On completion of this subjects students will be expected to:

• understand the role of water as a global resource, including any future implications of climate change
• understand the impact of catchment management and the role of water in Australian ecosystems
• understand the economic value of water, the role of water markets, and legal issues pertaining to water
• understand the socio-political impact of water on communities past, present and future.

One 1500-word assignment (30% of final mark); a 15-20 minute group presentation (30% of final mark); a 90 minute examination (40% of final mark).

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• think critically and organise knowledge across a range of disciplines
• derive, interpret and analyse information from primary and secondary sources
• participate in a discussion group and develop a logical argument to support a particular position
• participate effectively as a member of a team
• plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects
• demonstrate awareness of and ability to use appropriate communication technology
• demonstrate both written and oral communication skills
• participate in a discussion group and develop a logical argument to support a particular position
• participate effectively as a member of a team
• plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects.