Offered in association with Fenner School.

This course presents the major model types used to represent environmental systems. Mathematical emphasis on how these models are constructed uses the theory of inverse problems while the practical emphasis uses systems methodology. The focus will be on hydrological systems and their basic processes, combined with the constraints imposed by the limitations of real observational data. Case studies and project assessment will cover catchment hydrology, soil physics, subsurface hydrology and stream transport.

Honours Pathway Option (HPO):

Students must have 12 units of Group B level Mathematics including MATH2405 or a mark of 60 or more in MATH2305 to choose this option. Students who choose this option will be expected to have a deeper understanding of the work and will be required to complete a major project worth 25 per cent in place of one of the 25 per cent assignments.

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Describe the basic processes and behaviours of different environmental systems and the major methods of modelling these (e.g. model family selection, model structure identification, parameter estimation, sensitivity assessment, optimisation)
2. Appreciate the concept of tradeoffs and uncertainty sources in decision-making and optimisation through critical evaluation of  case studies referring to hydrology, ecology, water quality and socioeconomics
3. Evaluate the issues in building and evaluating models; formulate treatment of complex real-world problems (not just environmental problems); and select appropriate frameworks and methods to solve these, including using computer platforms and the statistical R package
4. Communicate and engage with interest groups involved in a problem; and appreciate how integrated assessment can be used for managing our environment  more sustainably, and the valuable role played by modelling
5. (HPO students only) build an example model

Assessment will be based on:

• Two assignments (30%; LO 1, 2)
• Five lab reports (25%; LO 2, 3)
• Review (35%; LO 1, 2, 3, 4) or (HPO students only) Project (35%; LO 5)
• Two presentations (10%; LO 3, 4)

MATH2305; or MATH2405; or 12 units of Group B Mathematics courses with a mark of 60 or better