Flinders Water

Flinders University has a well-earned reputation as a leading light in the field of water resources, hydrology and groundwater with Australia’s largest academic, industry and government research team working on breaking exciting new ground in this field.

Our water resources research group belongs to the best in world; we are ranked 13th in the world for water^*

^{* Shanghai Ranking’s Global Ranking Academic Subjects 2019 – Water Resources}

Study options

Flinders groundwater research

National Centre for Groundwater Research & Training

Water Quality and Health research consortium

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Water study options at Flinders

Graduate Certificate In Science (Groundwater Hydrology)

Graduate Diploma In Science (Groundwater Hydrology)

Master of Science (Groundwater Hydrology)

Graduate Certificate in Science (Water Resources Management)

Graduate Diploma in Science (Water Resources Management)

Master of Science (Water Resources Management)

In-demand career opportunities

Water is fundamental to industries like agriculture, food manufacturing, mining and government, giving rise to a growing demand for water specialists to ensure future sustainability.

There are excellent career opportunities nationally and internationally and the majority of jobs involve field research as a core component, providing an exciting, hands-on experience focusing on innovative research and discoveries.

Industry-relevant courses

Flinders trains students to think logically, critically and quantitively, and with the research from the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training team, students are exposed to the most up-to-date and industry related information.

The knowledge of past and present research and findings are fundamental to predicting future changes and understanding the potential growth of the industry.

“Doing my PhD in hydrogeology at Flinders University is rewarding. I research groundwater flow in the vicinity of large mines and can see how my research directly impacts the community. With a field site in the remote Pilbara region of Western Australia, I’ve been lucky enough to travel to some places I would never otherwise see.

Groundwater studies combine aspects of many other sciences, including environmental sciences, geology, mathematics, chemistry and computer science, which means that I’m always learning new things, trying new approaches and never getting bored.”

Sarah Marshall, PhD student

National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training

Flinders is home to the largest centre specialising in groundwater education and research in the southern hemisphere, the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training.

Established in 2009, the centre boasts a national and international profile with industry leading research and building public awareness for Australian groundwater science – allowing students to make an impact in this exciting and growing industry.

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Breaking ground in groundwater research

Director of the National Centre for Groundwater Research and Training
Professor Peter Cook

One of Australia's foremost groundwater scientists, Professor Cook has more than 20 years’ experience in groundwater research, spanning the fields of groundwater hydrology, ecohydrology, isotope hydrology, unsaturated zone flow process, and surface water – groundwater interaction.

He has co-written books on environmental tracers and ecohydrology and was the National Ground Water Association’s Henry Darcy Distinguished Lecturer in Ground Water Science in 2009; the first time this honour was awarded to a scientist from outside North America.

Professor Craig Simmons - Flinders University Groundwater

^{Professor Peter Cook}

Flinders Water Quality and Health research consortium

Australia faces a challenging future to ensure the sustainable supply of safe and reliable water resources. To address emerging problems relating to contaminants, decentralised treatment, and diminishing clean water resources, Flinders University has coordinated its water quality researchers from a number of disciplines through the creation of a Water Quality and Health research consortium. This consortium includes microbiologists, geochemists, hydrogeologists, chemists, and environmental health experts.

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