Water is a critical issue for the environment in Australia, the Australasian region and many other parts of the world. Effective use and management of water resources will continue to be one of the highest priorities for local, regional and federal authorities due to increased pressure from population growth, agricultural, commercial and industrial growth, and environmental and climate change.The major in Water Science provides students with the opportunity to develop their understanding of water resources, including surface water and groundwater in terrestrial and coastal environments. This is important in understanding interactions between, and impacts on, the hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere and lithosphere, all part of Earth Systems. Students completing this major will have the expertise to interpret quantitatively surface and groundwater flow and water quality data, design monitoring programs for water resources and provide the technical results to underpin effective management strategies and policies for the use of water resources.

There are many career opportunities for students that complete this major. Those include positions in catchment management authorities, rural and urban water agencies, state and federal water departments and offices, agricultural organisations, minerals industry and environmental consulting in a wide range of companies. There are also many opportunities in Honours, post-graduate, research and academic positions. In all cases there are excellent opportunities in Australia and overseas.

There are many career opportunities for students that complete this major. Those include positions in catchment management authorities, rural and urban water agencies, state and federal water departments and offices, agricultural organisations, minerals industry and environmental consulting in a wide range of companies. There are also many opportunities in Honours, post-graduate, research and academic positions. In all cases there are excellent opportunities in Australia and overseas.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of the major in Water Science students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand the distribution, quality and use of water resources in Australia, the Australasian region and the world.
2. Make quantitative predictions relevant for surface water and groundwater budgets and flow.
3. Understand the impacts of climate, land use, and agricultural, commercial and industrial activity on the quality of surface water and groundwater, including interactions with biology, atmosphere, regolith and rocks.
4. Appreciate the difference between observation and interpretation, in order to analyse critically quantitative and qualitative data relevant to water quantity and quality.
5. Integrate information across a range of scientific and engineering disciplines into comprehensive analysis of water issues.
6. Communicate effectively through writing scientific and technical reports and oral presentations.
7. Conduct themselves in a way that reflects professional expectations within the discipline.