Intro to Sustainable Water Management (ENEN30002)

Undergraduate level 3Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)

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Overview

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Semester 1
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This subject aims to analyse the key concepts underpinning the sustainable use of water within the context of integrated river basin management. Lectures draw on extensive experience in water and river basin management, particularly in Australia and China including guest lecturers from industry practitioners. The subject focuses on the analysis of complex water resource systems that involve multiple sources of water supply and multiple water uses including agriculture, urban, industrial, recreation and the environment. The subject builds on students’ knowledge of sustainability, economics and resource management.

While the principles of resource management are learnt in the context of water and river basins, they can be applied in a range of natural resource management scenarios. Students contemplating a career in any aspect of natural resource management will find this subject of value.

Please view this video for further information: Intro to Sustainable Water Management

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of the subject, students should be able to: 

  • Analyse river basin management as a complex system of interactions by applying a diversity of disciplinary knowledge
  • Analyse the physical elements of a water resource system and their interactions
  • Apply principles of allocation between different uses under conditions of scarcity
  • Evaluate alternate approaches to balance economic development with the ecological and social wellbeing in a river basin
  • Describe and apply the concept of integrated water resources management
  • Analyse the economic, environmental and social factors involved in the sustainable development and management of water resources.

Generic skills

  • Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution
  • Understanding of social, cultural, global, and environmental responsibilities and the need to employ principles of sustainable development
  • Ability to utilise a systems approach to complex problems and to design and operational performance
  • Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large
  • Capacity for creativity and innovation
  • Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multidisciplinary and multicultural teams, as a team leader or manager as well as an effective team member.

Last updated: 9 April 2025