400-level

WATR410
Catchment Systems
Description
The aim of this course is to provide guided advanced level learning about catchment processes. The course will focus on how water delivery is related to the interaction between water supply and underlying catchment properties. Based on this vision, the course will explore strategies to monitor and model both individual and catchment scale processes. Key topics of focus will include: different perspectives of the catchment; rainfall-river processes; hydrological system components; and landscape evolution. Additionally, students will design, develop, and install sensors to monitor hydrological system components, and will develop skills in data analysis and the implementation of simple conceptual models.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Programme Director
WATR411
Water Governance
Description
The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of the governance of freshwater resources from a social-ecological systems perspective. The course will explore water science and management as embedded in complex social and ecological contexts, shaped by interactions among culture, politics, economics and ecologies. Drawing on examples from local to global, the course will examine major paradigms of water resource management, and how these are applied and contested by diverse societal actors and stakeholders in politics and decision-making at different scales, incorporating examples from Aotearoa New Zealand.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Programme Director
WATR412
Hydrological Extremes
Description
This course aims to provide students with insights into the drivers, processes and consequences of hydrological hazards. Focusing on the mechanistic processes generating floods and droughts, students will gain experience using state-of-the-art data and modelling tools to estimate the frequency and forecast the consequences of extreme hydrological events. The course will also explore the management paradigms that have evolved to mitigate and adapt to hydrological hazards and transitional steps needed to build resilient communities.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Programme Director
WATR413
Freshwater Restoration and Recovery
Description
The aim of this course is to provide students with an understanding of freshwater restoration. The course will explore the importance of restoration from physical, ecological and cultural perspectives, and will examine the current state of freshwater restoration practice both locally and globally. Students will gain insight into factors which may limit restoration success, and explore strategies to overcome these. The course will also examine key considerations when designing and implementing monitoring programmes, including data analysis and statistics.
Occurrences
Semester Two 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Programme Director
WATR414
Applied Hydrogeology
Description
The Applied Hydrogeology course provides postgraduate students in engineering geology and environmental science with a sound understanding of the nature and occurrence of groundwater, various techniques for resource evaluation, contaminant transport issues, and a brief introduction to groundwater modelling. The course is an integrated one, developing both geological aspects of groundwater occurrence and chemistry, as well as pragmatic methods for quantifying flow parameters and aquifer characteristics.
Occurrences
Semester One 2024
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
MATH101, 102 or 103 or with approval from the course coordinator
Restrictions
ENGE414

Not Offered Courses in 2024

400-level

WATR409
Te Mana o te Wai
Description
The structure of this course employs a ki uta ki tai (from the mountains to the sea) framework, beginning in Aotearoa New Zealand before contextualizing concepts and debates in the wider Pacific and beyond. Students will gain an overview of theories and perspectives central to the hydrological sciences and catchment management in Aotearoa. The course will first explore the importance of wai in te Ao Maori, its taonga status under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, the rangatiratanga held by mana whenua and the associated responsibilities of both the Crown and tangata tiriti. Students will explore how human history has shaped hydrological knowledge and landscapes in Aotearoa and discuss implications for water management both now and into the future. Towards the end of this course, students will use these understandings to discuss similarities and differences with our Pasifika neighbours and across the globe and how common problems could be addressed from different cultural standpoints.
Occurrences
WATR409-24S1 (C)
Semester One 2024 - Not offered
For further information see WATR409 course details
Points
15 points
Prerequisites
Subject to approval of the Programme Director

Postgraduate

WATR404
Special Topic
Description
Special Topic in Water Resource Management, in which a specific course of study will be developed to suit student needs. Permission to enrol is required from the WRM Programme Director, to be granted pending an appropriate course of study developed by a nominated supervisor, in consultation with the student.
Occurrences
Not offered 2024, offered in 2016 , 2017 , 2018 , 2019 , 2020
For further information see WATR404 course details
Points
15 points
WATR405
Research and Communication Methods
Description
This course will convey the type of research undertaken to solve water resource management problems, and how to communicate research results and information effectively in different forums and to different audiences. Topics include: literature search and analysis, research hypothesis development, proposal preparation, research programme design, ethical, cost and health and safety considerations, and effective techniques for oral and written communication.
Occurrences
WATR405-24S1 (C)
Semester One 2024 - Not offered
For further information see WATR405 course details
Points
15 points