Water Resource Systems for Changing Climates

Undergraduate | 2026

Course page banner
area/catalogue icon
Area/Catalogue
ECOL 4000
Course ID icon
Course ID
205964
Level of study
Level of study
Undergraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
4
Study abroad and student exchange icon
Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
Yes
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
Yes
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
Yes
alt
Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

Designing large-scale water supply systems or local-scale urban stormwater systems requires excellent knowledge of hydrology and climate science, water quality, statistics and risk estimation, and a diversity of catchment modelling tools. This course will develop the fundamental understanding as well as the engineering design tools and principles to design the water supply and drainage infrastructure needed to meet the demands of an increasing population and changing climate over the 21st century. Topics will be covered from the following: (1) water sensitive urban design approaches to managing urban stormwater quantity and quality; (2) reservoir modelling, including continuous rainfall-runoff modelling, yield assessments and water demand estimation; (3) climate change impact assessments; (4) stochastic generation of rainfall time series; and (5) environmental flow requirements.

Course learning outcomes

  • Define, comprehend and apply key concepts/methods related to drought risk assessment including the use of stochastic models and yield estimation methods for water resource systems
  • Define and comprehend the use of stochastic climate inputs and/or rainfall-runoff models for streamflow estimation under current and future climates
  • Apply industry-standard modelling package(s) to undertake the design of a real-world water resource system using principles of drought risk assessment and stochastic climate to undertake reservoir sizing, identifying operating rules to meet current and future demands by evaluating/optimising for multiple future scenarios.
  • Define and comprehend the key principles of water sensitive urban design (WSUD), stormwater treatment train and various stormwater treatment measures.
  • Apply industry-standard modelling package(s) that utilise WSUD principles to manage stormwater quantity and quality for a real world design problem.

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A