WARM8741 Fundamentals of Groundwater GE

2011

4.5

2 x 1-hour lectures weekly
4 x 5-hour on-line exercises per semester
9 x 4-hour project works per semester

1 Admission into GCGH-Graduate Certificate in Science (Groundwater Hydrology)
1a Admission into GDPGH-Graduate Diploma in Science (Groundwater Hydrology)
1b Admission into MSCGH-Master of Science (Groundwater Hydrology)
1c Admission into GCEMG-Graduate Certificate in Environmental Management
1d Admission into GDPEMG-Graduate Diploma in Environmental Management
1e Admission into MEMG-Master of Environmental Management
1f Admission into GCWRM-Graduate Certificate in Water Resources Management
1g Admission into GDPWRM-Graduate Diploma in Water Resources Management
1h Admission into MWRM-Master of Water Resources Management
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a or 1b or 1c or 1d or 1e or 1f or 1g or 1h))

1 of CPES3017, CPES3151, CPES8017, CPES8151, CPES8417, EASC3741, EASC8741, WARM8417, WARM8451 has been successfully completed

This topic assumes first-year University Earth Sciences and an undergraduate degree in environmental science, hydrology or a relevant discipline of science and engineering.

Class contact for the external option:

4 5- hour on-line exercises per semester

9 4- hour project works per semester

External students will need a good quality internet connection and computer access, and may require a computer with a camera and/or microphone headset for FLO Live or SKYPE interaction with the topic coordinator.

This topic offers the basic knowledge needed to understand water dynamics in aquifers. The topic is delivered in four parts: Part 1 Groundwater and the hydrologic cycle - which covers the movement of water in the earth; Part 2 Geology of groundwater hydrology - which covers the matrix and pore spaces through which groundwater travels and is stored; Part 3 Aquifer properties and groundwater flow - which covers the quantitative aspects of groundwater hydrology, providing students with the theories and tools behind the estimation of groundwater fluxes and storage volumes; Part 4 Groundwater investigation and management - which covers practical aspects of groundwater analysis and water resources management, including desktop-based approaches to analysis and considerations facing Australian groundwater resource managers.

The educational aim of this topic is to instil in students knowledge and an appreciation of the storage and transport of groundwater, and its importance as a global water resource and integral part of the hydrologic cycle.

At the completion of the topic, students are expected to be able to:

1. Describe the physical properties of aquifers
2. Discuss the physical principles governing the storage and flow of groundwater
3. Explain the interaction between groundwater and surface water
4. Explain the principles of groundwater investigation and management
5. Demonstrate enhanced problem-solving, critical-thinking and reasoning abilities