Course Title: Develop a water quality monitoring program

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2018

Course Code: CIVE5724C

Course Title: Develop a water quality monitoring program

School: 174T School of VE Engineering, Health & Science

Campus: City Campus

Program: C5367 - Diploma of Conservation and Land Management

Course Contact: Namrita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4837

Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Gay de Lisle

gay.delisle@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 120

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

None

Course Description

This unit of competency describes the skills and knowledge required to establish requirements for monitoring water quality and developing a program to monitor water quality in a given site. It includes carrying out water monitoring activities and evaluating program effectiveness.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

AHCNRM502 Develop a water quality monitoring program

Element:

1. Determine water quality monitoring program requirements

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Consult with client to identify scope, objectives and constraints of project and intended use of the data
1.2 Research and evaluate background information relevant to survey 
1.3 Determine water quality indicators to be measured, frequency and volume of sampling required to meet scope, objectives and constraints of project
1.4 Establish procedures for data collection, processing and reporting that are consistent with the scope, objectives and constraints of the program and legislative requirements
1.5 Seek estimates of costs involved and sources of funds for the program
1.6 Identify and assess work health and safety hazards associated with conducting the sampling program
1.7 Provide a survey strategy that reflects project requirements, scope, objectives and constraints for discussion and approval

Element:

2. Undertake a site analysis

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify and record physical and biological features of the site
2.2 Identify and record resource management factors contributing to water quality
2.3 Survey biota, as required, to meet the scope and objectives of the program
2.4 Identify and evaluate sampling points for safety, accessibility and opportunities for repeatable data collection

Element:

3. Plan monitoring program

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Select suitable sites for repeatable monitoring to obtain representative samples
3.2 Source laboratory and field equipment for the monitoring program and determine costs
3.3 Confirm suitability and availability of laboratory and field equipment
3.4 Confirm surveyor access to site for the duration of the monitoring program
3.5 Document work health and safety controls and emergency procedures for the program in line with organisational policies
3.6 Document environmental sustainability policies and procedures and biosecurity measures 3.7 Document sampling techniques to be used 3.8 Document methods of data collection, monitoring and field techniques for field operators
3.9 Present survey schedules and procedures to appropriate personnel and the client for approval 

Element:

4. Monitor water quality

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Carry out water quality monitoring tasks in line with plan
4.2 Transport, store and treat samples with regard to temperature, maximum holding periods and other variables
4.3 Monitor surveying process for accuracy, compliance with the survey plans and procedures 4.4 Implement contingency plans when problems arise, whilst continuously assessing and evaluating the plan for errors and inconsistencies

Element:

5. Evaluate program

Performance Criteria:

5.1 Record and save data according to plan requirements
5.2 Analyse data collected according to industry policies and guidelines and scientific standards 5.3 Draw outcomes, conclusions or trends from the monitoring program using industry standards for interpretation of water quality data and appropriate evidence and reasoned arguments 5.4 Seek advice from client as to satisfaction with monitoring program in terms of the process and outcomes
5.5 Provide report on outcomes to client with recommendations for changes and improvements for any further monitoring activities


Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

Learning activities include:

field trips
face- to-face theory classes
in class group work & discussions
learning to use specific water testing equipment


Teaching Schedule

 Week  Date  learning activity Assessment
 2  13/2 Introduction to Unit
Water Properties
Introduction to Water testing
 
 3  20/2 The Yarra River
Water Resources
 
 4  27/2 Water Quality
Water Quality exercise
 
 5  6/3 Riparian Vegetation
Macroinvertebrate testing
 
 6  13/3 Field trip- Waterwatch   
 7  20/3 Water Issues
Nasty stuff Living in water
Water testing
 
 8  27/3  Water treatment  
   3/4  mid semester break  
 9  10/4 Field trip- Water Treatment Plant  
10 17/4 ALT and SIGNAL method of Macro-invertebrate testing Assessment 1
11 24/4

Water Contaminants
Testing Water for Microbes

 
12 1/5 Field trip- Waterwatch   
13 8/5 Analysis of Results  
14 15/5 Data compilation. Finish off data. Start writing reports.
Student Interview as required
 
15 22/5

Practical and theory test

Report Submission

Assessment 2

Assessment 3


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Assessment will include written reports, in-the-field activities and group work


Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task

Assessment Name

Due Date

Assessment value

Assessment Task 1

Field trip Exercise

1 week after excursion

20%

Assessment Task 2

Written Report on Royal Park Data

End of Unit

60%

Assessment Task 3

Practical and theory Test

End of Unit

20%


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Assessment Information

This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also utilises graded assessment
CHD Competent with High Distinction (80 – 100%)
CDI Competent with Distinction (70 – 79%)
CC Competent with Credit (60 – 69%)
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded (50 – 59%)
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

To pass the course you need to pass, on average, each type of assessment (reports, assignments etc.)

  • Field trips are an integral component of this course and it expected that students will attend them all.
  • Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension (see below) will not be corrected.
  • APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK - A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available online http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application form should be emialed to the program Coordinator (namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au). Students requiring longer extensions must apply for SPECIAL CONSIDERATION.
  • For missed assessments such as tests and field trips- you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of the assessment http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration
     

Plagiarism is the presentation of the work, idea or creation of another person as though it is your own. It is a form of cheating and is a very serious academic offence that may lead to expulsion from the University. Plagiarised material can be drawn from, and presented in, written, graphic and visual form, including electronic data and oral presentation. Plagiarism occurs when the origin of the material used is not appropriately cited. It also occurs through enabling plagiarism, which is the act of assisting or allowing another person to plagiarise or to copy your own work. Please make sure you consider this carefully in completing all your work and assessments in this course and if you are unsure about whether you might have plagiarised, seek help from your teacher. 

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