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Riverine Landscapes: Hydrology & Ecology (GEOG30022)
Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Overview
Availability(Quotas apply) | Semester 1 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
This subject examines principles in the two disciplines of hydrology and ecology, emphasising the application of both to understand how to solve environmental management problems in river ecosystems. The subject examines water in terms of quantity and quality; and the physical channel and floodplain systems in which it is conveyed and stored, along with transported materials such as sediments and organic matter. The subject also examines population, community and ecosystem dynamics of riverine organisms and their geographical distributions and diversities. Through practicals and fieldwork, students should develop skills in acquiring, analysing and presenting hydrological and ecological data, and in the identification and proper field sampling of stream biota. Students should become aware of the multidisciplinary nature of environmental management and the need for critical examination of ideas in the literature.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students will have achieved the following objectives:
- Understand the principles of hydrology and ecology as they relate to river ecosystems
- Acquire, analyse and present data relating to catchment characteristics, water quality and quantity, and the biota of river ecosystems
- Understand the processes that determine water quality and quantity and the ecological status of rivers
- Apply basic laboratory, computer and field methods for hydrology and ecology
Generic skills
- Thinking critically and analytically
- Testing theories with evidence
- Designing and implementing field projects that meaningfully test hypotheses
- Writing well constructed field reports and journal articles
- Interpreting data, informed by the relevant literature
- Collaborating in group field and research activities
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
At least one of the following, or equivalent as approved by the subject coordinator:
- GEOG20002 - Landscapes and Environmental Change
- ECOL20003 - Ecology
- GEOG20009 - Landscapes and Diversity
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
37.5 points of second year subjects.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Assessment
Additional details
• Field and practical exercises equivalent to 250 words completed primarily within practical classes in weeks 2-11: 20%
• A field research report of 2500 words due late May: 45%
• A 15-minute group presentation on field research in groups of 6-8 students at the end of semester (equivalent to 250 words): 5%
• A 1.5-hour exam (equivalent to 1500 words) during the examination period: 30%
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Quotas apply to this subject
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Barbara Downes Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 24 hours of lectures, 10 x 3-hour practicals and up to 30 hours of fieldwork scheduled on weekends Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 4 March 2019 to 2 June 2019 Last self-enrol date 18 February 2019 Census date 31 March 2019 Last date to withdraw without fail 10 May 2019 Assessment period ends 28 June 2019 Semester 1 contact information
Additional delivery details
An enrolment quota of 40 students applies to this subject. For detailed information on the quota subject application process, enrolment deadlines and selection preferences, refer to the Faculty of Science website: http://science.unimelb.edu.au/students/course-planning-and-advice
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory and field activities.
Last updated: 15 February 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Stream Hydrology: An Introduction for Ecologists, N.D. Gordon, T.A. McMahon, B.L. Finlayson, C.J. Gippel and R.J. Nathan, John Wiley & Sons, 2nd edition, 2004
- Subject notes
Students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 degree and new degrees), or a combined BSc course (except for the BA/BSc) may receive science credit on the completion of this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Science (Geography) Course Master of Geography Major Environmental Science Major Geography Informal specialisation Physical Geography Informal specialisation Science-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI Major Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Major Geography Informal specialisation Selective subjects for B-BMED Informal specialisation Physical Geography Informal specialisation Integrated Geography Informal specialisation Integrated Geography Informal specialisation Environments Discipline subjects Major Environmental Science Major Environmental Geography Major Integrated Geography Major Physical Geography - Breadth options
This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Quota limit applied - UoM students will be given preference over CAP applicants
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 15 February 2024