New specialisation in 2017

The Hydrology (Honours) Specialisation is offered by the School of the Environment, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Admission requirements

The minimum requirements for consideration for entry to all undergraduate courses are specified in detail in the University Entry Requirements.

Course aims

The course aims to provide students with a broad-based foundation in science together with specialisation in Hydrology.

  • It also aims to develop a range of transferable research, analytical and communication skills including the capacity to understand how hydrological systems operate
  • demonstrate a broad interdisciplinary knowledge in this field
  • apply the scientific method to explore problems of relevance to this discipline
  • use a range of analytical methods, including computer software to analyse relevant data
  • contribute to an advance of knowledge in this discipline
  • undertake an individual research project, from planning to execution.

The educational aims of this specialisation are to provide students with an overview of proces
ses that determine the source, amount and flows of water in terrestrial, atmospheric and marine systems, with a particular focus on aspects relating to water problems facing Australia.

Learning outcomes 

On completion of the course, students will be able to:

  • demonstrate familiarity with the theories, methodologies, practical applications, and management issues associated with water systems
  • understand and characterise the elements of the water cycle and their inter-relationships, across scales ranging from local problems to global water cycles
  • apply a range of scientific methods to solve practical water problems, using various computations, laboratory and field-based approaches
  • critically review and interpret scientific and spatial information relating to water systems and arrange this information in a way that allows for problem-solving and interpretation of water systems
  • develop scientific hypotheses that are founded on the principles of water movement and storage across a range of hydrological systems, and including such related issues as water quality, ecosystem protection, and societal aspects of protecting water resources
  • effectively write and verbally communicate scientific concepts relating to water
  • work both independently and within interdisciplinary research groups
  • value ethical behaviour
  • plan and execute an individual research project, applying relevant methodologies and knowledge.

Program of study

To qualify for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Hydrology) a student must complete 144 units, with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the program of study detailed below.

No more than 45 units of First Year level topics may be included in the 144 units for the degree. Topics designated 'any year' or with no year level specified are regarded as First Year level topics.

Elective topics to complete 144 units may be selected from any offered within the University or, with approval from the Faculty of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.

Students who have completed 108 units according to the first three years of the Program may choose to exit with the Bachelor of Science (Hydrology).

Upon completion of at least 103.5 units and with a GPA of 5 or more in the last 36 units of study, students may commence the Fourth Year Honours program. Students who do not meet the GPA requirement will exit with the Bachelor of Science (Hydrology) on completion of 108 units.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Specialisation- Hydrology - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 topics

EASC1101 Earth and Environmental Sciences (4.5 units)
GEOG1003 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (4.5 units)
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
MATH1122 Mathematics 1B (4.5 units)
SPOC1701 The Nature of Science (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 topics

Select one of:

CHEM1101 Chemical Structure and Bonding (4.5 units)
CHEM1201 General Chemistry (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 1 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Hydrology - Year 2 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 2 topics

GEOG2701 Introduction to Remote Sensing (4.5 units)
ENGR2751 Fluid Mechanics (4.5 units)
EASC2702 Global Climate Change (4.5 units)
ENVS2761 Hydrology (4.5 units)
EASC3741 Groundwater (4.5 units)
EASC3751 Hydrochemistry (4.5 units)

Elective - Year 2 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Hydrology - Year 3 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 3 topics

ENVS3750 Field Studies in Environmental Disciplines (4.5 units)  
EASC3742 Earth Fluid Modelling (4.5 units)
ENGR3851 Hydraulics and Water Engineering (4.5 units)
ENVS3XXX Public Aspects of Water Quality (4.5 units)
ENVS3XXXA Applied Environmental Practice (4.5 / 9.0 units)  
ENVS3XXXB Applied Environmental Practice (4.5 / 9.0 units)

Elective - Year 3 topics

Plus 9 units of elective topics from across the University where entry requirements are met.

Specialisation - Hydrology - Year 4 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 4 topics

ENVS7700A Honours Research project in the Environment (4.5/27 units)
ENVS7700B Honours Research project in the Environment (4.5/27 units)
ENVS7700C Honours Research project in the Environment (4.5/27 units)
ENVS7700D Honours Research project in the Environment (4.5/27 units)
ENVS7700E Honours Research project in the Environment (4.5/27 units)
ENVS7700F Honours Research project in the Environment (4.5/27 units)
ENVS7720 Research Project Design and Conduct (4.5 units)

Option - Year 4 topics

Select one of *:

EASC7733 Measurement Techniques in Natural Systems (4.5 units)
ENVH7711 Environmental Health Concepts (4.5 units)
ENVH7722 Food Safety (4.5 units)
ENVH7731 Sustainable Development - Health Issues (4.5 units)
ENVH7742 Microbiology and Communicable Diseases (4.5 units)
ENVS7701 Coastal Management (4.5 units)
GEOG7721 Population Issues of Developed and Developing Countries (4.5 units)
GEOG7711 GIS for Environmental Modelling (4.5 units)
GEOG7750 Advanced Studies in Geography, Population and Environmental Management (4.5 units)

*or another topic approved by the Course Co-ordinator, appropriate to a student’s program.

Combined degrees

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Hydrology) may also be studied in a combined degrees program with Any Bachelor degree in the Faculty of Science and Engineering.