Water for Sustainable Futures

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

170 hours

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 recent decades the importance of regulating water and its wider implications have been the subject of great debate. Water is no longer viewed solely in hydrological terms, where its supply and allocation are considered to be the only determinants important in understanding how it is regulated. Rather, of equal importance are the economic, environmental, political and social ramifications changing water allocation have on a catchment. In this subject the hydrological, economic, social, legal and environmental implications of controlling water in a catchment are evaluated in order to identify the trade-off between these factors and to suggest improvements that can be made in the understanding and management of this vital resource.

On completion of this subject students will be expected to understand the:

• Role of water as a resource, including any future implications of climate change, within a catchment context
• Impacts of catchment management and the role of water in ecosystems.
• Economic value of water and the role of water markets and other management structures
• Socio-political impact of water on communities past, present and future

• One 500 word in-class test due approximately Week 3 worth 10%
• One 500 word in-class test due approximately Week 6 worth 10%
• One 500 word in-class test due approximately Week 9 worth 10%
• One 1500 word assignment due approximately Week 11 worth 30%
• One two-hour exam to be held during the end-of-semester exam period worth 40%

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
• 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 effectively as a member of a team
• Plan work, use time effectively and manage small projects

This subject is not part of a sequence but rather part of the Food, Water & Wine cluster.