The Graduate Diploma in Science (Water Resources Management) is a 36-unit program offered by the School of the Environment, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

The course articulates with the Graduate Certificate in Science (Water Resources Management) and the Master of Science (Water Resources Management) , and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the three awards. Candidates who have completed either of these courses are awarded credit for related topics.

Admission requirements

Applicants who do not hold the Graduate Certificate in Science (Water Resources Management) must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant discipline of science and engineering, from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature. These applicants will need to demonstrate relevant experience to an appropriate level and will be assessed at the discretion of the Course Coordinator.

Course aims

The program is designed to produce graduates who understand the ISSes facing water resource managers, have an advanced interdisciplinary knowledge in this field, and are able to strategically assess ways of addressing these issues.

Learning outcomes

Graduates of the course are expected to be able to:

  • Demonstrate adequate understanding of scientific problems involved in the management of water
  • combine a range of science and management methods for integrated water resources management issues
  • apply adequately management fundamentals to solve current problems and to anticipate, mitigate and prevent future problems in the area of water resources management
  • recognise and appreciate adequately social, political, economic and environmental impacts on water resources management
  • communicate satisfactorily both orally and in writing, the nature of, and solution to, water resources management issues and problems.

Program of study

To qualify for Graduate Diploma in Science (Water Resources Management), a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Core - Year 1 topics

27 units comprising:

EASC8741 Fundamentals of Groundwater* (4.5 units)
ENVS8771  Ecohydrology GE*  (4.5 units)
ENVS9722 Integrated Water Management (4.5 units)
ENVS9731 Public Health Aspects of Water Quality (4.5 units)
GEOG8700 Geographical Information Systems (4.5 units)
POAD9135 Project Management (4.5 units) 

Option - Year 1 topics

Select 9 units from the topics listed below:

Students may replace an option topic with another relevant topic where approved by the topic coordinator.

EASC9700  NCGRT Australian Groundwater School* (4.5 units)
EASC8702  Global Climate Change GE (4.5 units)
EASC8713  Field and Laboratory Techniques in Hydrology GE* (4.5 units)
EASC8742  Groundwater Modelling* (4.5 units)
EASC8751  Hydrochemistry GE* (4.5 units)
EASC9772  Groundwater Hydrology* (4.5 units)
EDUC9601  Strategic Thinking and Planning* (4.5 units)
ENVH9704  Risk Assessment and Management (4.5 units)
ENVS8732  Environmental Impact Assessment GE (4.5 units)
ENVS9712  Environmental Policy Development/Analysis (4.5 units)
ENVS9790  Field Studies in Environmental Disciplines GE* (4.5 units)
GEOG8701  Introduction to Remote Sensing GE (4.5 units)
GEOG8702  Image Analysis in Remote Sensing GE (4.5 units)
GEOG8731  GIS Modelling GE (4.5 units)
GEOG8732  Spatial Information Management GE (4.5 units)
GEOG8751  Advanced Spatial Statistics GE  (4.5 units)
LEGL8300  Principles of Environmental Law (4.5 units)
LEGL8301  Theory and Practice of Environmental Compliance (4.5 units)
POAD9026 Management in Non-Governmental Organisations* (4.5 units)
POAD9056 Asset Management (4.5 units)
POAD9129  Environmental Policy and Governance* (4.5 units)
POAD9131 Development Administration* (4.5 units)
POAD9139  Organisational Politics, Culture and Management* (4.5 units)
POAD9142 Leading and Managing Change* (4.5 units)

*Topic offered externally.