Course Title: Develop a water quality monitoring program

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2020

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.de.lisle@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 type and site 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

In addition to face to face classes, field trips, inclass exercises, written reports and group discussions.

 

Teaching Schedule

Delivery and assessment plan – Develop a Water Quality Monitoring ProgramCIVE5724CSemester 1, 2020:

Monday 1.00 – 4.00

Teacher: Gay de Lisle

Week No.	Date	Learning activity	Assessment  and Additional Details
	10/02	Introduction to Unit and Project The Rivers of Melbourne Phys Chem testing Prac-Phys Chem Testing
	17/02/	Water Resources Macroinvertebrate sampling Prac-Macro ID
	24/02     27/02 Thursday	Water Properties Water Quality Prac-DO testing Prac-Field Work	Thursday. Meet at 10am for an Introduction to the Stony Creek Project by Richard Akers and Fin Anderson (Melbourne Water) TBC Sample 1
	02/03	Riparian Vegetation Wetland vs running water macros Wetland Design Principles
	09/03	LABOUR DAY HOLIDAY – NO CLASS
	16/03	Prac-Wetland Design and Water Parameters at Trin Warren Tam Borree Field Trip	Meet at Trin Warren at your usual class time
	23/03   26/03 Thursday	Water Issues Water Standards Prac-Field Work	Thursday. Meet at 10am for phys chem and macro sampling Sample 2
	30/03	ALT and SIGNAL Sampling Prac- ALT macroinvertebrate method
	06/04	Water Treatment Wastewater Management
	13/04 16/04	Mid Semester Break Prac Western Treatment Plant Tour	Thursday. Meet at 8.45am outside building 51 Assessment Task 1 due April 19
	20/04       23/04 Thursday	Nasty stuff living in Water Testing Water for microbes Prac-E coli test and Blue Green Algae test Prac – Field Work	Thursday Meet at 10am at Stony Creek Sample 3
.	27/04	Water Contaminants Prac-E coli testing using coliscan
	04/05	Camp week (TBC)	No DWQMP Classes
	11/05     14/05 Thursday	Briefing on Major Assessment Items Practical exam Revision Interviews Prac-Field Work	Thursday Meet at 10am at Stony Creek inc macros and bacteria Sample 4
	20/05	Data collation Analysis of Results Prac-Practical exam revision
	25/05   28/05 Thursday	Student Interviews   Prac-Field Work	Thursday Meet at 10am at Stony Creek Sample 5
	01/06	Practical and theory test	Assessment Task 2
	09/06/19	Assessments	Assessment 3  and 4 due June 7
		End of Semester

Note : All Field Work is Compulsory. Special Consideration may be sought if you are unable to attend on a particular day

Any changes to this plan will be communicated via Canvas Course Page

Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts

References

Other Resources

Overview of Assessment

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

Assessment Tasks

Date   Details

Fri, 6 Mar 2020	Assignment Learning Activity 1 due by 23:59
Sun, 19 Apr 2020	Assignment Assessment type 1 Field Report due by 23:59
Sun, 24 May 2020	Assignment Assessment Task 3 Water Testing Video due by 23:59
Mon, 1 Jun 2020	Assignment Assessment Task 2 Practical and Theory Test due by 14:00
Sun, 7 Jun 2020	Assignment Assessment Task 4 Water Quality Assessment Plan and Report on Waterwatch site. due by 23:59

Assessment Matrix

Other Information

Assessment Information

This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment

CA Competency Achieved  
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

Submission of Assessment Tasks

It is expected that any work presented for assessment in this course will be your own. 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.

Extensions of time for submission of assessable work

If you are prevented from submitting an assessment on time by circumstances outside your control you may apply for an extension of up to seven (7) calendar days by filling in the application form at least one working day BEFORE the due date. The application form should be emailed to your Program Coordinator, Namrita Kaul, namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au. 
Eligibility criteria for application and the form is available from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/extensions-of-time-for-submission-of-assessable-work

If you require an extension of time longer than 7 days, you must apply for Special Consideration.

Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected.

Special consideration

If you are unable to sit a test, exam or lab-based assessments due to unexpected circumstances (e.g., illness), you should apply for Special Consideration for the missed assessment. Information on applying for Special Consideration can be found from the link: https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-essentials/assessment-and-exams/assessment/special-consideration. Applications for Special Consideration should NOT be submitted to the course or program coordinator.

 

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