Hydrology and Water Resources

Unit code: NEC3103 | Study level: Undergraduate
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Footscray Park
NEC2203 - Hydraulics
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Overview
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Overview

In this unit, you will develop the knowledge and skills required to understand and manage water systems in engineering practice. You will explore the hydrologic cycle, rainfall-runoff relationships, urban drainage design, floodplain management, and water resources development. Through the use of industry-standard tools such as Aquacycle and SOURCE, you will learn to model and evaluate hydrological systems to support sustainable and resilient infrastructure planning.



You will also strengthen your ability to think critically, interpret data, and solve complex problems while considering technical, environmental, and social factors. In addition, this unit provides opportunities to refine your professional communication skills through technical reporting and presentations, preparing you for multidisciplinary teamwork in real-world water engineering contexts.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

  1. Analyse and synthesise hydrological data to solve problems in rainfall-runoff routing, flood frequency analysis, urban drainage, floodplain behaviour, and water resources management;
  2. Construct urban drainage network designs and justify computations using hydrological modelling principles;
  3. Compute design flow volumes for urban subdivisions using Aquacycle and evaluate the suitability of design choices;
  4. Interpret results generated using SOURCE software to evaluate water supply systems and support sustainable planning; and
  5. Initiate and coordinate team-based water resource projects and present optimal solutions using professional engineering communication methods.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Report
|
Grade: 20%
River system modelling. (Group) (1200 words) (Group)
Assessment type: Test
|
Grade: 55%
Tests (Individual)
Assessment type: Project
|
Grade: 25%
Urban hydrology and water resources. (Group) (1500 words)

Required reading

Class notes can be accessed from VU Collaborate.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

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