The Graduate Diploma in Science (Groundwater Hydrology) is a 36-unit program offered by the School of the Environment, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
The course articulates with the 18-unit Graduate Certificate in Science (Groundwater Hydrology) and the 72-unit Master of Science (Groundwater Hydrology), and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the three awards.
Admission requirements
Applicants who do not hold the Graduate Certificate in Science (Groundwater Hydrology) must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification in any relevant discipline of science and engineering, from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.
Course aims
A groundwater hydrologist is a scientist who understands how groundwater hydrological systems operate, has an advanced interdisciplinary knowledge in this field, can apply the scientific method to explore problems of relevance to this discipline, is able to use a range of analytical methods, including computer software to analyse relevant data, and field techniques, and can contribute to an advance of knowledge in this discipline.
The educational aims of this course are to provide students with an overview of processes that determine the source, amount and flows of water in aquifers with a particular focus on aspects relating to water problems facing Australia.
Learning outcomes
After completion of this course, students are expected to:
- have gained an in-depth knowledge of relevance to the discipline
- understand and be able to apply basic scientific methods
- be able to review and interpret scientific information
- be able to develop scientific hypotheses
- be able to communicate effectively
- have an enhanced understanding of current groundwater issues and the technologies
- employed to deal with them ability to communicate effectively
- be able to work both independently and within interdisciplinary research groups
- value ethical behaviour.
Program of study
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Science (Groundwater Hydrology), a student must complete 36 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.
Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.
Core - Year 1 topics
13.5 units comprising:
EASC8772 Groundwater Hydrology* (4.5 units)
plus one of:
EASC8700 NCGRT Australian Groundwater School** (4.5 units)
EASC8741 Fundamentals of Groundwater GE* (4.5 units)
plus one of:
EASC8713 Field and Laboratory Techniques in Hydrology GE** (4.5 units)
EASC8762 Field Investigation GE** (4.5 units)
Option - Year 1 topics
Select 22.5 units from the following:
EASC8700 NCGRT Australian Groundwater School** (4.5 units)
EASC8702 Global Climate Change GE (4.5 units)
EASC8710 Special Topic in Groundwater Hydrology (4.5 units)
EASC8711 Soil Hydrology GE (4.5 units)
EASC8712 Surface Water and Atmosphere GE (4.5 units)
EASC8713 Field and Laboratory Techniques in Hydrology GE** (4.5 units)
EASC8722 Sedimentary Processes GE (4.5 units)^, OR
EASC8732 Geological Processes GE (4.5 units)^^
EASC8741 Fundamentals of Groundwater GE* (4.5 units)
EASC8742 Earth Fluid Dynamics and Modelling GE* (4.5 units)
EASC8751 Hydrochemistry GE (4.5 units)
EASC8752 Science of Environmental Change GE (4.5 units)
EASC8762 Field Investigation GE** (4.5 units)
EASC8771 Environmental Research Methods GE (4.5 units)
ENVS8720 Research Project Design and Conduct GE (4.5 units)
GEOG8700 Geographical Information Systems GE (4.5 units)
GEOG8701 Introduction to Remote Sensing GE (4.5 units)
GEOG8702 Image Analysis in Remote Sensing GE (4.5 units)
*Topic offered externally
**Topic offered externally with intensive component/s
^Offered in even years only. ^^Offered in odd years only.
