Course Title: Ecohydrology

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Ecohydrology

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

OENG1253

City Campus

Undergraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

 Sem 1 2025

Course Coordinator: Dr. Mohammad Aminpour

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: mohammad.aminpour@rmit.edu.au


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Assumed Knowledge:

A basic understanding of water engineering and/or hydrology fundamentals is helpful to the course.


Course Description

This course introduces students to the multi-disciplinary field of eco-hydrology. You will learn about the interactions between vegetation and water in diverse environmental and climatic settings. You will be introduced to theoretical and applied techniques for analysing plant-water-atmosphere interactions and become familiar with key data collection and analysis tools used by eco-hydrologists to manage vegetation and water, including groundwater-dependent ecosystems. Eco-hydrological tools and knowledge will have an increasing application in efforts to increase the sustainability of the environmental, social, and economic development.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to development of the following program learning outcomes for BH080 Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering) (Honours):

  • PLO1: Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and knowledge of fundamental engineering and scientific theories, principles and concepts and apply advanced technical knowledge in specialist domain of engineering. 
  • PLO2: Utilise mathematics and engineering fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to design engineering systems for complex engineering challenges.    
  • PLO3: Apply engineering research principles, methods and contemporary technologies and practices to plan and execute projects taking into account ethical, environmental and global impacts.     
  • PLO5: Communicate respectfully and effectively with diverse audiences, employing a range of communication methods, practising professional and ethical conduct.
  • PLO6: Develop and demonstrate the capacity for autonomy, agility and reflection of own learning, career and professional development and conduct.  


On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

CLO1. Critically describe hydrological and ecological engineering principles at the watershed scale.

CLO2. Formulate a water balance equation accounting for landscapes, water storage and flux components.

CLO3. Critique ecohydrological applications supported by mathematical modelling and research literature.

CLO4. Analyze the biota / hydrologic cycle interrelationship factoring natural disturbances and human activities.

CLO5. Communicate a collaborative scientific method-based  ecohydrology experiment through writing, public speaking and reflection.


Overview of Learning Activities

This course involves weekly lectures. Assessments are completed individually (practical assignments) and in teams (group presentation). These assessments build analytical and communication skills relevant to professional practice.


Overview of Learning Resources

Recommended readings, selected videos and lecture presentations will be available online via Canvas, which is accessed through the RMIT Student website.

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the RMIT Student website.


Overview of Assessment

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Practical Assessments
Weighting: 25%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 and 4

Assessment Task 2: Group Assignment
Weighting: 40%
This assessment task supports CLOs 3, 4 & 5

Assessment Task 3: Final assignment
Weighting: 35%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.