Management of Water Resources

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2024/20

Institute / School :

Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability

Unit Title:

Management of Water Resources

Unit ID:

ENGIN4201

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

(ENGIN3203 for undergraduate Students only)

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

(ENGGC4203)

ASCED:

030907

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

Introduction to typical issues related to catchment/stream complexes; rural and urban land uses and their potential water quantity and quality impacts. Basic principles of water quantity modelling and use of industry standard computer models. Water quality management options including improved land management, water demand management, planning frameworks, and environmental and social aspects. Environmental and social aspects will be covered.

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

No work experience

Placement Component:

Supplementary Assessment:Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge:

K1.	Describe different elements of the hydrological cycle and their significance

K2.	Describe fundamental elements of water resources management and terminology used

K3.	Explain systems thinking and cause-effect analysis methods

K4.	Discuss different multi-disciplinary aspects of water resource management using case studies

K5.	Explain detailed explanation of Integrated water management

K6.	Discuss different water and environmental management policies in context of Australia

K7.	Understand different stakeholders and their roles and economic instruments used in water management

K8.	Describe technologies used in water sensitive urban design for stormwater management

Skills:

S1.	Analyse and evaluate different options for water resource management and decision making

S2.	Use methods in statistics such as probability, uncertainty analysis, sensitivity analysis and contribution analysis

S3.	Undertake economic analysis for water management projects

S4.	Design projects in a holistic way using principles of integrated resource management

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Design water management projects in a holistic way

A2.	Apply methods for the assessment of different options for water resource management projects

A3.	Analysedata on different water management aspects and interpret it for decision making

Unit Content:

• Introduction to management concepts
• Frameworks and cause effect analysis
• Non structural and economic instruments and analysis in water management
• System analysis
• Water and environmental management policies
• Water sensitive urban design technologies
• Integrated urban water management
• Water, energy and climate change
• Guest lectures
• Field visit

Graduate Attributes:

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting
1.	K1-K3, K7-K8, S1-S4	Report on baseline water footprint for ahousehold and field visits	Group assessment	15-20%
2.	K3-K6, S2-S4, A1-A2	Design of a water management project	Group assessment	15-25%
3.	K5-K8, S3-S4, A3	Presentation on water management issues	Individual assessment	10-15%
4.	K1-K8, S1-S4, A1-A3	Closed Book Examination (3 hours): Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component (assignments, tests, mid-semester exams, laboratory reports) and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.	Closed Book Examination (3 hours)	40-60%

Adopted Reference Style:

Other (IEEE)

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency

Engineers Australia - Stage 1 (Professional): 2017 accreditation & AQF

Attribute			Assessed	Level
1 Knowledge and Skill Base
	1.1 Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.
		1.1.1 Engages with the engineering discipline at a phenomenological level, applying sciences and engineering fundamentals to systematic investigation, interpretation, analysis and innovative solution of complex problems and broader aspects of engineering practice.	Yes	Advanced
	1.2 Conceptual understanding of the, mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
		1.2.1 Develops and fluently applies relevant investigation analysis, interpretation, assessment, characterisation, prediction, evaluation, modelling, decision making, measurement, knowledge management and communication tools and techniques pertinent to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
	1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
		1.3.1 Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge and skills in at least one specialist practice domain of the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
	1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
		1.4.1 Identifies and critically appraises current developments, advanced technologies, emerging issues and interdisciplinary linkages in at least one specialist practice domain of the engineering discipline.	Yes	Intermediate
		1.4.2 Interprets and applies selected research literature to inform engineering application in at least one specialist domain of the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
	1.5 Knowledge of contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
		1.5.1 Identifies and understands the interactions between engineering systems and people in the social, cultural, environmental, commercial, legal and political contexts in which they operate, including both the positive role of engineering in sustainable development and the potentially adverse impacts of engineering activity in the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		1.5.2 Is aware of the founding principles of human factors relevant to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Intermediate
		1.5.3 Is aware of the fundamentals of business and enterprise management.	Yes	Intermediate
		1.5.4 Identifies the structure, roles and capabilities of the engineering workforce.	Yes	Intermediate
		1.5.5 Appreciates the issues associated with international engineering practice and global operating contexts.	Yes	Intermediate
	1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the specific discipline.
		1.6.1 Applies systematic principles of engineering design relevant to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Intermediate
		1.6.2 Appreciates the basis and relevance of standards and codes of practice, as well as legislative and statutory requirements applicable to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		1.6.3 Appreciates the principles of safety engineering, risk management and the health and safety responsibilities of the professional engineer, including legislative requirements applicable to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Intermediate
		1.6.4 Appreciates the social, environmental and economic principles of sustainable engineering practice.	Yes	Advanced
		1.6.5 Understands the fundamental principles of engineering project management as a basis for planning, organising and managing resources.	Yes	Advanced
		1.6.6 Appreciates the formal structures and methodologies of systems engineering as a holistic basis for managing complexity and sustainability in engineering practice.	Yes	Intermediate
2 Engineering Application Ability
	2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
		2.1.1 Identifies, discerns and characterises salient issues, determines and analyses causes and effects, justifies and applies appropriate simplifying assumptions, predicts performance and behaviour, synthesises solution strategies and develops substantiated conclusions.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.2 Ensures that all aspects of an engineering activity are soundly based on fundamental principles - by diagnosing, and taking appropriate action with data, calculations, results, proposals, processes, practices, and documented information that may be ill-founded, illogical, erroneous, unreliable or unrealistic.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.3 Competently addresses engineering problems involving uncertainty, ambiguity, imprecise information and wide-ranging and sometimes conflicting technical and non-technical factors.	Yes	Intermediate
		2.1.4 Partitions problems, processes or systems into manageable elements for the purposes of analysis, modelling or design and then re-combines to form a whole, with the integrity and performance of the overall system as the paramount consideration.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.5 Conceptualises alternative engineering approaches and evaluates potential outcomes against appropriate criteria to justify an optimal solution choice.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.6 Critically reviews and applies relevant standards and codes of practice underpinning the engineering discipline and nominated specialisations.	Yes	Intermediate
		2.1.7 Identifies, quantifies, mitigates and manages technical, health, environmental, safety and other contextual risks associated with engineering application in the designated engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.8 Interprets and ensures compliance with relevant legislative and statutory requirements applicable to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.9 Investigates complex problems using research-based knowledge and research methods.	Yes	Advanced
	2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
		2.2.1 Proficiently identifies, selects and applies the materials, components, devices, systems, processes, resources, plant and equipment relevant to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Intermediate
		2.2.2 Constructs or selects and applies from a qualitative description of a phenomenon, process, system, component or device a mathematical, physical or computational model based on fundamental scientific principles and justifiable simplifying assumptions.	Yes	Advanced
		2.2.3 Determines properties, performance, safe working limits, failure modes, and other inherent parameters of materials, components and systems relevant to the engineering discipline.	No	Intermediate
		2.2.4 Applies a wide range of engineering tools for analysis, simulation, visualisation, synthesis and design, including assessing the accuracy and limitations of such tools, and validation of their results.	Yes	Advanced
		2.2.5 Applies formal systems engineering methods to address the planning and execution of complex, problem solving and engineering projects.	Yes	Intermediate
		2.2.6 Designs and conducts experiments, analyses and interprets result data and formulates reliable conclusions.	Yes	Advanced
		2.2.7 Analyses sources of error in applied models and experiments; eliminates, minimises or compensates for such errors; quantifies significance of errors to any conclusions drawn.	Yes	Intermediate
		2.2.9 Understands the need for systematic management of the acquisition, commissioning, operation, upgrade, monitoring and maintenance of engineering plant, facilities, equipment and systems.	Yes	Advanced
		2.2.10 Understands the role of quality management systems, tools and processes within a culture of continuous improvement.	Yes	Intermediate
	2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
		2.3.1 Proficiently applies technical knowledge and open ended problem solving skills as well as appropriate tools and resources to design components, elements, systems, plant, facilities and/or processes to satisfy user requirements.	Yes	Advanced
		2.3.2 Addresses broad contextual constraints such as social, cultural, environmental, commercial, legal political and human factors, as well as health, safety and sustainability imperatives as an integral part of the design process.	Yes	Advanced
		2.3.3 Executes and leads a whole systems design cycle approach including tasks such as: a) determining client requirements and identifying the impact of relevant contextual factors, including business planning and costing targets; b) systematically addressing sustainability criteria; c) working within projected development, production and implementation constraints; d) eliciting, scoping and documenting the required outcomes of the design task and defining acceptance criteria; e) identifying assessing and managing technical, health and safety risks integral to the design process; f) writing engineering specifications, that fully satisfy the formal requirements; g) ensuring compliance with essential engineering standards and codes of practice; h) partitioning the design task into appropriate modular, functional elements; that can be separately addressed and subsequently integrated through defined interfaces; i) identifying and analysing possible design approaches and justifying an optimal approach; j) developing and completing the design using appropriate engineering principles, tools, and processes; k) integrating functional elements to form a coherent design solution; l) quantifying the materials, components, systems, equipment, facilities, engineering resources and operating arrangements needed for implementation of the solution; m) checking the design solution for each element and the integrated system against the engineering specifications; n) devising and documenting tests that will verify performance of the elements and the integrated realisation; o) prototyping/implementing the design solution and verifying performance against specification; p) documenting, commissioning and reporting the design outcome.	Yes	Intermediate
		2.3.4 Is aware of the accountabilities of the professional engineer in relation to the design authority role.	Yes	Advanced
	2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
		2.4.1 Contributes to and/or manages complex engineering project activity, as a member and/or as leader of an engineering team.	Yes	Advanced
		2.4.2 Seeks out the requirements and associated resources and realistically assesses the scope, dimensions, scale of effort and indicative costs of a complex engineering project.	Yes	Advanced
		2.4.3 Accommodates relevant contextual issues into all phases of engineering project work, including the fundamentals of business planning and financial management.	Yes	Advanced
		2.4.4 Proficiently applies basic systems engineering and/or project management tools and processes to the planning and execution of project work, targeting the delivery of a significant outcome to a professional standard.	Yes	Advanced
		2.4.5 Is aware of the need to plan and quantify performance over the full life-cycle of a project, managing engineering performance within the overall implementation context.	Yes	Intermediate
		2.4.6 Demonstrates commitment to sustainable engineering practices and the achievement of sustainable outcomes in all facets of engineering project work.	Yes	Advanced
3 Professional and Personal Attributes
	3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability.
		3.1.1 Demonstrates commitment to uphold the Engineers Australia - Code of Ethics, and established norms of professional conduct pertinent to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		3.1.2 Understands the need for due-diligence in certification, compliance and risk management processes.	Yes	Advanced
		3.1.3 Understands the accountabilities of the professional engineer and the broader engineering team for the safety of other people and for protection of the environment.	Yes	Advanced
		3.1.4 Is aware of the fundamental principles of intellectual property rights and protection.	Yes	Advanced
	3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
		3.2.1 Is proficient in listening, speaking, reading and writing English, including: a) comprehending critically and fairly the viewpoints of others; b) expressing information effectively and succinctly, issuing instruction, engaging in discussion, presenting arguments and justification, debating and negotiating to technical and non-technical audiences and using textual, diagrammatic, pictorial and graphical media best suited to the context; c) representing an engineering position, or the engineering profession at large to the broader community; d) appreciating the impact of body language, personal behaviour and other non-verbal communication processes, as well as the fundamentals of human social behaviour and their cross-cultural differences.	Yes	Advanced
		3.2.2 Prepares high quality engineering documents such as progress and project reports, reports of investigations and feasibility studies, proposals, specifications, design records, drawings, technical descriptions and presentations pertinent to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Intermediate
	3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
		3.3.1 Applies creative approaches to identify and develop alternative concepts, solutions and procedures, appropriately challenges engineering practices from technical and non-technical viewpoints; identifies new technological opportunities.	Yes	Advanced
		3.3.2 Seeks out new developments in the engineering discipline and specialisations and applies fundamental knowledge and systematic processes to evaluate and report potential.	Yes	Advanced
		3.3.3 Is aware of broader fields of science, engineering, technology and commerce from which new ideas and interfaces may be may drawn and readily engages with professionals from these fields to exchange ideas.	Yes	Advanced
	3.4 Professional use and management of information.
		3.4.1 Is proficient in locating and utilising information - including accessing, systematically searching, analysing, evaluating and referencing relevant published works and data; is proficient in the use of indexes, bibliographic databases and other search facilities.	Yes	Advanced
		3.4.2 Critically assesses the accuracy, reliability and authenticity of information.	Yes	Advanced
		3.4.3 Is aware of common document identification, tracking and control procedures.	No	Intermediate
	3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
		3.5.1 Demonstrates commitment to critical self-review and performance evaluation against appropriate criteria as a primary means of tracking personal development needs and achievements.	Yes	Advanced
		3.5.2 Understands the importance of being a member of a professional and intellectual community, learning from its knowledge and standards, and contributing to their maintenance and advancement.	Yes	Advanced
		3.5.3 Demonstrates commitment to life-long learning and professional development.	No	Advanced
		3.5.4 Manages time and processes effectively, prioritises competing demands to achieve personal, career and organisational goals and objectives.	Yes	Advanced
		3.5.5 Thinks critically and applies an appropriate balance of logic and intellectual criteria to analysis, judgment and decision making.	Yes	Advanced
		3.5.6 Presents a professional image in all circumstances, including relations with clients, stakeholders, as well as with professional and technical colleagues across wide ranging disciplines.	Yes	Advanced
	3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership.
		3.6.1 Understands the fundamentals of team dynamics and leadership.	Yes	Advanced
		3.6.2 Functions as an effective member or leader of diverse engineering teams, including those with multilevel, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural dimensions.	No	Intermediate
		3.6.3 Earns the trust and confidence of colleagues through competent and timely completion of tasks.	Yes	Advanced
		3.6.4 Recognises the value of alternative and diverse viewpoints, scholarly advice and the importance of professional networking.	Yes	Advanced
		3.6.5 Confidently pursues and discerns expert assistance and professional advice.	Yes	Advanced
		3.6.6 Takes initiative and fulfils the leadership role whilst respecting the agreed roles of others.	No	Intermediate