This unit builds on the content and concepts developed in previous environmental science specialisation units, integrating them in the context of theory and methods used to address challenges in water science at local, national and global scales. Students will undertake an in-depth exploration of key challenges in water science focussing on issues such as water security, sustainable water management, water related hazards, and water within a changing socio-hydrological systems. An important part of the unit will be understanding stakeholder perspectives and differing knowledge sources, particularly those of Indigenous peoples. This unit addresses various Threshold Learning Outcomes (TLO) for environment and sustainability endorsed by the Australian Council of Environmental Deans and Directors (ACEDD).

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Develop an in-depth understanding of current theory and methods and how they are being applied to address challenges in water science;
2. Critically evaluate and apply theory and methods to real problems in water science;
3. Evaluate the role of different stakeholders and knowledge sources (particularly those of Indigenous people) in current challenges in water science;
4. Demonstrate a broad and coherent knowledge of key environmental and sustainability challenges and their drivers, with holistic systems thinking and complexity (ACEDD TLO 1.2 and 1.3);
5. Understand diverse approaches to environment and sustainability including different frameworks for knowing and particular values, knowledge, ethical positions and interests of Indigenous peoples globally (ACEDD TLO 2.2 and 2.4); and
6. Design and execute a research task pertaining to a problem in water science, by identifying, synthesising and applying appropriate knowledge and evidence from diverse sources (ACEDD TLO 3.1).

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
2. UC graduates are global citizens - adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries
2. UC graduates are global citizens - understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - evaluate and adopt new technology

Prerequisites

11771 Meeting Environmental Challenges: Foundations AND 11776 Land and Water

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

10235 Tackling Environmental Challenges

Assumed knowledge

None.