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ENV525 - Advanced Hydrology and Catchment Processes

2026

Sector

Higher Education

Discipline

Environmental Science

Credit Points

Equivalent Units

Prerequisites

Incompatible

Coerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Basic Earth sciences knowledge, basic mathematics, and fundamental Excel skills will be beneficial (including use of basic formulae and plotting).

Unit Description

This postgraduate-level unit brings together the knowledge of the relevant surface and subsurface processes that influence the global hydrological cycle. The unit integrates hydrological and ecological knowledge at large scales (aquifers and basins and catchments) to smaller scales (individual rivers, wetlands and springs). The unit will focus on surface water processes, including runoff generation, streamflow and baseflow. Additionally, groundwater flows and how to quantify them for groundwater processes will be investigated. Importantly, the unit will consider the complex interactions between surface water and groundwater systems and the wide range of ecosystem services that surface water and groundwater systems support.

Theoretical understanding will be linked with practical experiences focusing on the wetlands and rivers of Australia's wet/dry tropics. At the end of the unit, students will be able to explain key hydrological concepts and perform hydrological analyses that relate to surface water, groundwater, and potential ecological implications of human interactions with these systems.

Unit Learning Outcomes

1.	Analyse the movement of water from the atmosphere, at and below the land surface.
2.	Apply the physical principles of groundwater storage and flow, to analyse and solve complex hydrogeological problems.
3.	Critically evaluate studies of hydrological and hydrogeological processes and surface water/groundwater interactions.
4.	Obtain, analyse, interpret, present, and critique complex hydrological and/or ecological data in a northern Australian catchment.
5.	Synthesise data to understand complex hydrological processes.

Assessment Overview

	Assessment Task	Value (of total mark)	Related Learning Outcome/s
1.	Online Quiz x 2 (30 minutes)	10%	1,2,5
2.	Laboratory reports × 4 summaries of concepts, skills and findings from laboratory investigations. Worth 10% each. Approximately 500-600 words per summary.	40%	1,2,3,4,5
3.	Oral examination on laboratory content (5 minutes)	10%	1,2,3,5
4.	Major assignment proposal (500 words)	5%	3,4
5.	Major assignment on catchments or groundwater systems (approx. 4000 words)	35%	1,2,3,4,5

Unit Availability

Year	Semester	Att Mode	Location	Learning Method	Timetable*
2026	Semester 1	Internal	Casuarina Campus	OLR	View
2026	Semester 1	External	External Studies	OLR	View

* Timetable will be displayed in new tab or window depending on your browser's configuration; ensure Pop-ups are allowed for this site to view the timetable.

OLR: Internet access is required for this unit as students are required to access study materials provided on-line through Learnline. Please log into Learnline on the first day of each teaching period. For more information about Learnline, please click here.

Critical Dates

Important Dates for Students

Fee Information:
Fees and Payments
Student Services and Amenities Fees
2026 Domestic Unit Fees (PDF)
2025 Incidental Fees (PDF)