The Master of Science (Groundwater Hydrology) is a 72-unit program offered by the School of Environment, within the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

The course articulates with the Graduate Certificate in Science (Groundwater Hydrology) and the Graduate Diploma in Science (Groundwater Hydrology) , and the sequentially developed topics allow progression through the three awards. Candidates who have completed either of these courses are awarded credit for related topics. 

Admission requirements

Applicants who do not hold the Graduate Diploma in Science (Groundwater Hydrology) must normally hold a degree or equivalent qualification in any relevant discipline of science and engineering, from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Faculty Board may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature. 

Course aims

A groundwater hydrologist is a scientist who understands how groundwater hydrological systems operate, has an advanced interdisciplinary knowledge in this field, can apply the scientific method to explore problems of relevance to this discipline, is able to use a range of analytical methods, including computer software to analyse relevant data, and field techniques, and can contribute to an advance of knowledge in this discipline.

The educational aims of this course are to provide students with an overview of processes that determine the source, amount and flows of water in aquifers with a particular focus on aspects relating to water problems facing Australia.

Learning outcomes

After completion of this course, students are expected to:

  • have gained a comprehensive knowledge of relevance to the discipline
  • understand and be able to apply relevant scientific methods at an advanced level
  • be able to critically review and interpret scientific information
  • be able to develop detailed scientific hypotheses
  • be able to communicate at an advanced level
  • have an advanced understanding of current groundwater issues and the technologies employed to deal with them
  • be able to work both independently and within interdisciplinary research groups on complex groundwater problems
  • have a comprehensive understanding of ethical behaviour in the discipline.

Program of study

To qualify for The Master of Science (Groundwater Hydrology), a student must complete 72 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study.

Not all topics are necessarily available in a given year.

Core - Year 1 & 2 topics

45 units comprising:

 EASC8742  Groundwater Modelling*  (4.5 units)
 ENVS8771  Ecohydrology GE*  (4.5 units)
 EASC8713  Field and Laboratory Techniques in Hydrology GE**  (4.5 units)
 EASC8751  Hydrochemistry GE*  (4.5 units)
 EASC9760A  Groundwater Hydrology Project 1  (4.5/13.5 Units)  
 EASC9760B  Groundwater Hydrology Project 1  (4.5/13.5 Units)  
 EASC9760C  Groundwater Hydrology Project 1  (4.5/13.5 Units)  
 EASC9772  Groundwater Hydrology*  (4.5 units)
 ENVS7720   Research Project Design and Conduct (4.5 units)

 Plus one of:

 EASC9700  NCGRT Australian Groundwater School**  (4.5 units)
 EASC8741  Fundamentals of Groundwater GE*  (4.5 units)

Option - Year 1 & 2 topics

Students must then select 27 units from the following:

 EASC9700  NCGRT Australian Groundwater School**  (4.5 units)
 EASC8702  Global Climate Change GE  (4.5 units)
 EASC8732  Geological Processes GE  (4.5 units)
 EASC8741  Fundamentals of Groundwater GE*  (4.5 units)
 ENVS8780  Directed Studies in Environment GE  (4.5 units)
 ENVS9780  Environmental Agency Placement GE  (4.5 units)
 ENVS9781  Extended Environmental Agency Placement GE  (4.5 units)
 ENVS9790  Field Studies in Environmental Disciplines GE*  (4.5 units)
 ENVS9791  Extended Field Studies in Environmental Disciplines GE  (4.5 units)
 ENVS9870  Environmental Research Project GE  (4.5 units)
 ENVS9871  Extended Environmental Research Project GE  (4.5 units)
 GEOG8700  Geographical Information Systems GE  (4.5 units)
 GEOG8701  Introduction to Remote Sensing GE  (4.5 units)
 GEOG8702  Image Analysis in Remote Sensing GE  (4.5 units)
 GEOG8731  GIS Modelling GE  (4.5 units)

*Topic offered externally

**Topic offered externally with intensive component/s