Offered By	ANU College of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, ANU College of Medicine and Health Sciences, ANU College of Medicine, Biology and Environment, and ANU Joint Colleges of Science
Academic Contact	Dr Sara Beavis and Dr Bear McPhail
Areas of Interest	Earth and Marine Sciences, Geography, Interdisciplinary Studies - Sustainability, Policy Studies, and Resource Management and Environmental Science

Water has emerged as a critical issue for societies and the environment in Australia, our region, and many other parts of the world. This issue will continue to be one of the highest priorities for governments in the future due to the pressures exerted by population growth and climate change.  Expertise in both science and policy areas, relevant to understanding water, is in increasing demand across all sectors of industry, government and research institutions. The Water Science and Policy majors provide students with the opportunity to develop the knowledge that is central to the understanding and management of water, and to develop expertise and undertake research relevant to one of four water themes: earth and environmental sciences; environmental modelling; environmental policy; and, water chemistry and quality. It is intended that students select courses from one or two of the four theme areas, which draw on the University's substantial research activities.

These majors provide the opportunity to develop the experience and skills to:

• understand water resources in Australia, the region and the world, which reflects the complex interplay between climate, land, water, people and economic development;
• make qualitative and quantitative predictions of water flows and quality at or near the surface of the Earth;
• integrate information across a range of disciplines into a comprehensive picture of a water issue;
• have a better appreciation for the relationship between raw data and the interpretation(s) that stem from it, and how lack of knowledge or uncertain knowledge influence decision-making relevant to water.
• have quantitative skills in manipulating data and the capacity to develop conceptual models of complex systems;
• have the ability to critically analyse quantitative and qualitative data relevant to water quality, use and management; and
• develop, apply and integrate scientific and policy knowledge in a professional context.

Requirements

A minimum of 60 units of courses including

• ENVS1004 Australia’s Environment,
• ENVS2020 Hydrology and Landforms for Natural Resource Management
• EMSC3025 Groundwater, and ENVS3005 Water Resource Management, and

a. no more than 6 units from:

• CHEM1011 Chemistry 1
• EMSC1006 The Blue Planet
• ENVS1001 Resources Environment & Society
• MATH1014/1116 Mathematics and Applications 2

b. at least 6 units from:

• CHEM2204 Environmental Chemistry (note prerequisites of 12 units 1^st-year CHEM or CHEM2204 convener’s permission)
• EMSC2014 Surficial Processes
• ENVS2004 Weather, Climate & Fire
• ENVS2007 Economics for the Environment
• MATH2305/2405 Differential Equations and Applications/ Maths Methods: Ordinary Differential Equations and Advanced Vector Calculus
• SCOM2001 Science Communication

c. at least 24 units from:

• EMSC3023 Global Cycles II: The Modern Oceans
• EMSC3027 Global Cycles and Palaeoceanography
• EMSC3028 Coastal Environmental Earth Science
• EMSC3050 Special Topics (on approval of convener)
• ENVS3004 Land & Catchment Management
• ENVS3010 Independent Research Project (on approval of convener)
• ENVS3013 Climatology
• ENVS3020 Climate Change Science & Policy
• ENVS3028 Environmental Policy
• ENVS3033 International Environmental Policy
• MATH3133 Environmental Mathematics

d. Students pursuing a major in the Fenner School of Environment & Society, including this one, must take at least 6 units from the following courses.  The course/s chosen may be taken as part of a major or as part of the degree more generally:

• ENVS1003 Environment & Society Research Methods
• ENVS2009 Quantitative Methods & Applications in Environment
• ENVS2014 Qualitative Methods for Sustainability
• ENVS2015 GIS & Spatial Analysis
• ENVS3040 Solving Complex Environmental Problems

Fenner School Course and Major Advice

Students considering taking fourth-year Honours in the Fenner School, or enrolled in a direct-entry Honours degree program and studying in the Fenner School, are expected to take ENVS3040 Solving Complex Environmental Problems.  This course may be included in an appropriate major or taken as part of the degree more generally.

Students seeking advice on appropriate course selections are invited to consult the convener of the Water Science & Policy major.

The information published on the Study at ANU 2011 website applies to the 2011 academic year only. All information provided on this website replaces the information contained in the Study at ANU 2010 website.