Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Hydrology)

No further student intake

To be read in conjunction with the program of study requirements for the Bachelor of Science (Honours) (Specialisations).

The Hydrology (Honours) Specialisation is offered by the College of Science and Engineering.

• Admission requirements
• Course aims
• Learning outcomes
• Program of study
• Combined degrees

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 processes 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 College of Science and Engineering, from outside the University, provided any course and prerequisite requirements are met.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year

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.

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).

Specialisation- Hydrology - Year 1 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 1 topics

EASC1101 Earth and Environmental Sciences (4.5 units)
MATH1121 Mathematics 1A (4.5 units)
MATH1122 Mathematics 1B (4.5 units)
STEM1001  Nature of STEM (4.5 units)
STEM1002 Introduction to Geographical Information Systems (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

ENGR2751 Fluid Mechanics (4.5 units) 
EASC2702 Global Climate Change (4.5 units) 
ENVS2761 Hydrology (4.5 units) 
EASC3741 Physical Hydrogeology (4.5 units) 
EASC3742 Earth Fluid Modelling (4.5 units)
STEM2001 Remote Sensing for all Disciplines (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)  
ENGR3851 Hydraulics and Water Engineering (4.5 units) 
EASC3751 Hydrochemistry (4.5 units) 
ENVS3801 Public Health Aspects of Water Quality (4.5 units)
STEM3100 Research Project in Science (4.5 units)

Option - Year 3 topics

4.5 units selected from:

EASC3782 Contaminant and Tracer Hydrology (4.5 units)
ENVS3752 Geology of Australia (4.5 units)
STEM2002 Applied Problem Solving with Computers (4.5 units)
STEM3001 Science Connect (4.5 units)Elective - Year 3 topicsElective - Year 3 topics

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

#Students are encouraged to enrol in STEM3001 Science Connect (4.5 units).

Specialisation - Hydrology - Year 4 topics

36 units comprising:

Core - Year 4 topics

ENVS7700A Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/22.5 units)
ENVS7700B Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/22.5 units)
ENVS7700C Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/22.5 units)
ENVS7700D Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/22.5 units)
ENVS7700E Honours Research Project in the Environment (4.5/22.5 units)
STEM7001  Research Methods for Honours  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 4 topics

Select two of *:

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)
STEM8004 Modelling in Space and Time, Geostatistics and GIS GE (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 degree program with another Bachelor degree in the College of Science and Engineering where the combination meets the requirements of the credit transfer policy.