SLE231 - Hydrology and Water Resources Management
Unit details
| Year | 2025 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Burwood (Melbourne) |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Tara Lewis |
| Prerequisite: | SLE101 or SLE102 |
| Corequisite: | Nil |
| Incompatible with: | SQE331 and SQP211 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - on-campus unit enrolment: | 2 x 1 hour online lectures per week, 6 x 3 hour practical experience (laboratory) per trimester, 1 x 3 hour practical experience (workshop) per trimester, 2 x 5 hour practical experience (field trip) per trimester. |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. This will include educator guided online learning activities within the unit site. |
Content
This unit has two modules: 1) Hydrology, and 2) Water Resources Management. These include: an overview of water properties as a fluid and limited natural resource and the hydrological cycle; a detailed study of the types and characteristics of groundwater, surface water, stream flow regimes and channel-forming processes and catchment hydrology, and surface-water/groundwater and soil-water-organism interactions; a detailed examination and case studies of the techniques and indicators used in assessing and managing stream and catchment health, (including the assessment and management of salinisation and acidification) and a deep-dive into topical water-related issues such as stormwater management and water-sensitive urban design, wastewater management, nutrient management, salinity, and environmental flows.
Learning Outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | As part of a team employ discipline-specific skills in the area of water quality monitoring, and macroinvertebrate collection and identification. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO2 | As part of a team apply discipline-specific knowledge to the interpretation of catchment, riparian and waterway interactions. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving GLO6: Self-management GLO7: Teamwork |
| ULO3 | Use the standard EPA Rapid Bioassessment Methodology for assessing stream 'health'. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO4 | Critically appraise and effectively communicate documented management objectives in the context of observed waterway management practices. | GLO4: Critical thinking GLO5: Problem solving |
| ULO5 | Develop an understanding of urban stormwater and wastewater management. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO2: Communication GLO6: Self-management |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 Waterway assessment | 2,500 word written report (Group) plus evaluation, and 8-10 minute video presentation (Individual) | 60% (2 x 30%) | Weeks 6 and 9 |
| Assessment 2 Field excursion report | 2,000 word maximum written report | 20% | Week 11 |
| Assessment 3 Online tests | Two online tests | 20% (2 x 10%) | Weeks 5 and 11 |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
Prescribed text(s): Gordon, 2004, Stream Hydrology: An Introduction For Ecologists, 2nd Ed, John Wiley & Sons, United Kingdom (eBook available via the Deakin Library).
The texts and reading list for SLE231 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.