James Cook University Subject Handbook - 2007

EA3007 - Field Studies in Tropical Water and Soil Science

Credit points: 03
Year: 2007
Student Contribution Band: Band 2
Administered by: Discipline of Earth Sciences

This is a field-based one-week intensive course that provides a practical introduction to hydrological, water quality, regolith and soil issues of the tropics. Our laboratory is Far North Queensland, with all its geologically and climatically diverse landscapes, including the Great Barrier Reef catchments. We study the natural processes and human impacts on the amount and quality of water flowing through rivers and aquifers. Topics include landscape water balance, hydrological monitoring and modelling, aquifer properties, transport and transformations of nutrients and contaminants, water quality assessment in the field and laboratory, soil erosion and degradation, dryland and irrigation salinity and water regulation.

Learning Outcomes

Graduate Qualities

Prerequisites:Three 2nd year science subjects

Availabilities

Cairns, Block, Study Period 7
Census Date 20-Jul-2007
Face to face teaching 23-Jul-2007 to 29-Jul-2007
Coordinator: Dr Ninghu Su
Lecturers: Dr Paul Nelson, Dr Ninghu Su.
Contact hours:
  • 8 hours workshops/Seminars
  • 56 hours fieldwork
Assessment:essays (50%); presentations (25%); practical tasks (25%).
Restrictions: An enrolment quota applies to this offering.

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.