Hydrological Processes

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

120 hours

None

None

Learning and understanding in this subject will be enhanced by the knowledge gained in the following subjects:

This subject is a replacement for the following:

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

In this subject quantitative analyses of physical hydrology are introduced. Emphasis will be placed on the application of fundamental principles of mathematics and physics to the conceptualisation and analysis of the complex interactions that are the hallmark of earth systems. Students should also be able to build computer models of these interactions and interpret the output from such models.

Topics covered include global water, energy and carbon cycles, precipitation, evapotranspiration, interaction between surface and subsurface water, runoff processes, the unsaturated zone and groundwater hydrology

On successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Describe and quantitatively analyse the global energy balance and water and carbon cycles, and their interaction
• Describe the process of evapotranspiration and perform quantitative analyses on meteorological and environmental data to compute evapotranspiration
• Describe and perform quantitative analyses on precipitation processes and measurements
• Describe and perform quantitative analyses on processes that control runoff and stream-flow at the hillslope and catchment scale
• Describe and perform quantitative analyses on vadose zone processes
• Describe and perform quantitative analyses on groundwater processes
• Develop quantitative models of these hydrological processes

• One 3-hour examination, end of semester (50%)
• Three x 1000 word assignments with associated computer modelling, due throughout the semester (40%)
• Two x 30 minute quizzes, in Week 5 and Week 10 (10%)

Hurdle Requirement: The examination component must be passed in order to pass the subject

None

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Ability to apply knowledge of science and engineering fundamentals
• Ability to undertake problem indentification, formulation and solution
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems, design and operational performance
• Capacity for lifelong learning and professional development