EVB310 Groundwater Systems
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | EVB310 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | Completion of 96cp of study |
| Equivalent(s): | ERB310 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,968 |
| International unit fee | $6,216 |
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | EVB310 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Completion of 96cp of study |
| Equivalent: | ERB310 |
| Coordinator: | Lucy Reading | lucy.reading@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This unit focuses on the origin, occurrence and movement of groundwater; aquifer properties; chemistry and quality of groundwater; exploration methods for groundwater; drilling methods and well testing equipment; assessment of groundwater problems, both supply and quality; and introduction to modelling of groundwater systems. Groundwater resources of Australia and current issues associated with these resources are covered.
This unit builds on knowledge of soil and water chemistry from “Soils” and “Environmental pollution”. Through working on real world assessment tasks, you will learn how to collect, analyse and interpret groundwater data. These skills will prepare you for any role where groundwater may be encountered (including government, industry and consulting roles).
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Assess interactions between groundwater and the surrounding environment in the context of sustainable water management
- Apply practical skills in groundwater mapping, sampling, testing, and interpretation of data.
- Evaluate groundwater related data and use this data to develop conceptual and/or numerical models.
- Communicate professionally through reports and group research seminars to demonstrate groundwater expertise and awareness of First Nations Australian's perspectives
Content
- Introduction to the field of hydrogeology and First Nations Australian's insights into groundwater.
- Geological controls over groundwater flow and types of systems.
- The chemical character of surface water and groundwater as they relate to different settings and processes.
- Testing groundwater bores to determine aquifer hydraulic properties.
- Methods of sampling water, analysis of chemistry and water quality, and interpretation of data.
- Conceptual and numerical modelling of groundwater systems.
Learning Approaches
This unit provides you with the opportunity to develop a broad understanding of groundwater systems, how they operate and the important issues. Theoretical concepts will be delivered via pre-recorded videos, which is complemented by on-campus practical exercises and demonstrations in collaborative learning spaces. There will be opportunities for interaction with government or private sector hydrogeologists, a field trip, plus formal presentation and discussion of researched material.
You can expect to spend between 10-15 hours per week on average involved in viewing pre-recorded lectures, attending face to face activities, completing assessment tasks, and undertaking your own independent study to consolidate your learning. Face-to face learning will include one two hour practical each week for 5 weeks and a field trip where you will gather data for a report. Over two weeks at the end of semester you will participate in interactive student presentations.
The field trip will be a two-day (overnight) field trip to Springbrook. This field trip requires a small financial student contribution of up to $100 AUD. Alternative opportunities for those who cannot attend will be provided. Further details will be available on Canvas.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will have a range of opportunities to receive feedback on your learning and progress in this unit including formative in-class individual or whole-of-class feedback on your work by your lecturer and tutors as well as individual feedback on assessment tasks via a rubric and written feedback. Individual consultations with your lecturer can be arranged at a mutually convenient time.
Assessment
Overview
This unit provides you with three opportunities to demonstrate your ability to meet unit learning outcomes. An industry-linked project, a research seminar and problem solving exercises. The industry-linked project is designed in consultation with industry partners. You will have an opportunity to engage with industry partners during the semester.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Project (applied)
Formal report on field project (a choice of 3 projects identified in consultation with Industry partners will be available). Reports are made available for feedback from Industry.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Problem Solving Exercises
Desktop practical exercises in which will use data analysis and interpretation to solve problems.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Research Seminar
You will select from a choice of groundwater related topics, carry out research on this topic and then present the findings of you research in an oral presentation.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Requirements to Study
Costs
This unit has a prescribe textbook, however limited copies are available via the university library. This unit requires you to participate in a Field trip. Transport will provided, testing equipment will be supplied at no cost. You will need to supply own personal items (note books, hats etc.).
Resources
All learning materials to support you learning in this unit will be provided in your Canvas unit site. This unit requires a prescribed textbook, the details of which are listed below:
Resource Materials
Prescribed text(s)
Hiscock K (2014) Hydrogeology. Principles and Practice, Blackwell Publishing (Available online also to QUT students)
Risk Assessment Statement
The unit consists of classroom-based lectures, practicals, and field exercises, all of which are extremely low risk activities. Risk assessments for field trips identify several low impact risks, including: travel; slips and trips. Students are provided with a health and safety manual detailing health, safety and emergency procedures associated with laboratory and field activities. Students are required to read, understand and put into practice all safety guidelines. Safety considerations associated with field trips will be discussed in pre-trip briefings with printed notes related to safety issues being distributed where appropriate.
Standards/Competencies
This unit is designed to support your development of the following standards\competencies.
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineer
1: Knowledge and Skill Base
Relates to: Problem Solving Exercises
Relates to: Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises, Research Seminar
Relates to: Research Seminar
Relates to: Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises, Research Seminar
2: Engineering Application Ability
Relates to: Problem Solving Exercises
Relates to: Project (applied)
3: Professional and Personal Attributes
Relates to: Project (applied)
Relates to: Project (applied), Research Seminar
Relates to: Research Seminar
Relates to: Project (applied)
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST01 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises, Research Seminar - Recognise First Nations Peoples of Australia as the nation’s first scientists, whose knowledge and contributions are valued.
Relates to: ULO4, Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises, Research Seminar - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises, Research Seminar - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO2, Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO2, Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO4, Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises, Research Seminar
SV02 Bachelor of Science
- Develop a broad, multidisciplinary understanding of science and a specialised, in-depth knowledge of at least one discipline.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises - Recognise First Nations Peoples of Australia as the nation’s first scientists, whose knowledge and contributions are valued.
Relates to: ULO4, Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises - Use higher order thinking skills to design, plan, and conduct investigations and evaluate data to address scientific questions and challenges.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO2, ULO3, Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises - Develop and demonstrate key competencies in scientific practices and relevant technologies.
Relates to: ULO2, Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises - Practice science in a safe, culturally appropriate, ethical, sustainable, and socially conscious way with a knowledge of relevant concepts, regulatory frameworks and protocols.
Relates to: ULO2, Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises - Communicate scientific findings, concepts and evidence-based reasoning to diverse audiences using a variety of methods.
Relates to: ULO4, Project (applied), Problem Solving Exercises