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CIVL5665: Advanced Water Resources Engineering (2016 - Semester 2)

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Unit: CIVL5665: Advanced Water Resources Engineering (6 CP)
Mode: Normal-Day
On Offer: Yes
Level: Postgraduate
Faculty/School: Civil Engineering
Unit Coordinator/s: Dr Maggi, Federico
Session options: Semester 2
Versions for this Unit:
Site(s) for this Unit: https://elearning.sydney.edu.au
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Pre-Requisites: None.
Brief Handbook Description: The objective of this unit of study is to introduce students and professionals to water resources engineering. The aim of this unit is to provide an understanding of one or more aspects related to: hydrologic cycle from the broadest perspective, physical, chemical and biological characterization of water, how to change the water quality parameters, water quality control and management, water quality in the environment, nutrient and contaminant cycling and removal, water treatment methods for drinking, wastewater and groundwater, conservation/reuse/treatment techniques, desalination, stormwater, bioremediation and phytoremediation techniques. The topics mentioned above may be covered in both a qualitative and quantitative aspect depending on the subject of the project in this year. A basic level of integral and differential calculus is required as well as knowledge and use of calculation software such as Excel and Matlab, and micro-controlling systems and boards.
Assumed Knowledge: CIVL3612 OR CIVL9612.
Lecturer/s: Dr Maggi, Federico
Tutor/s: Dr. Maggi, Federico,

Dr. Fiona Tang
Timetable: CIVL5665 Timetable
Time Commitment:
# Activity Name Hours per Week Sessions per Week Weeks per Semester
1 Lecture 2.00 1 13
2 Tutorial 1.00 1 13
3 Independent Study 4.00 1 13
T&L Activities: Lectures and Tutorials

This unit of study is project-based; both lectures and tutorials are therefore structured around the topic chosen for this unit of study. Every year, a different topic is presented to students. Lectures and tutorials will therefore be proposed in the form of open discussion of the literature survey and progress of students` work toward the aim of the proposed project. Students are invited to take active part in the debate and discussion, present their findings, and stimulate reasoning across the class. Students can opt to work individually or form groups. Hence both lectures and tutorials in this unit are an opportunity for the students to be exposed to problem solving of typical engineering occurrence and to help other students developing their skills. Material surveyed by students will be posted on the Blackboard system for access by other students/groups.

Attributes listed here represent the key course goals (see Course Map tab) designated for this unit. The list below describes how these attributes are developed through practice in the unit. See Learning Outcomes and Assessment tabs for details of how these attributes are assessed.

Attribute Development Method Attribute Developed
Design principles and practice relative to the project proposed as assignment. Design (Level 4)
Understanding the various aspects of involved in the theme of the proposed project. Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 4)
Development of fundamental equations to describe or simplify the processes involved in the proposed project and that may serve for anticipation of potential issues or for design itself. Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 3)

For explanation of attributes and levels see Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table.

Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit. They are listed according to the course goal supported by each. See Assessment Tab for details how each outcome is assessed.

Design (Level 4)
1. Outcomes of design principles may include: theory, computation, contextualization, verification and testing.
2. Outcome of design practice may include: drawing, conceptualization, engineering operations, laboratory work.
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 4)
3. Identification of modern technologies for the proposed project and of techniques to be used with these technologies
4. Calculation of rate processes and description of the various physical/chemical/biological mechanisms involved in the project
5. Assessment of stability and reliability of the engineered system proposed in the project
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 3)
6. Capability to describe with mathematical approaches the engineered system proposed in the project
7. Determination of criticalities, and approaches to correct those.
8. Develop knowledge to write numerical solvers and interconnecting analogic with digital interfaces, including softwares
Professional Conduct (Level 2)
9. Appreciation of the value of complexity in desiging and constructing an engineering project.
10. Capability to develop both individual work and team work.
11. Capability to report engineering work.
Assessment Methods:
# Name Group Weight Due Week Outcomes
1 Assignment (draft) Yes 50.00 Week 7 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
2 Assignment (final) Yes 50.00 Week 13 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
Assessment Description: A project-based assessment is foreseen. Two sessions are planned to assess the project progress, each worth 50% of the final mark, and evaluate the level achieved in: (i) understanding the proposed problem; (ii) critically surveying and synthesizing the existing knowledge toward implementation of the project; (iii) develop analytic tools and creative solutions to implement the projects; and (iv) finalize the project. The group assignments represent 100% of the final mark. Projects can be developed in teams made of 3 to 5 students, or as an individual work. No final exam is foreseen. When team work is undertaken, contributions of individual students must be highlighted for assessment, and individual marks will be allocated to each student in the group. Assessment criteria of combined team and individual work depend on the specific topic of the project and tasks undertaken, and are presented to a greater detail in class.
Assessment Feedback: A written feedback will be given to each group in week 7, but all session will be an opportunity for the students to be part of a team, work collaboratively, receive assistance from the lecturer and tutor, and discuss salient aspects of the proposed project as a continuing feedback to the project.
Grading:
Grade Type Description
Standards Based Assessment Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD for High Distinction, DI (previously D) for Distinction, CR for Credit, PS (previously P) for Pass and FA (previously F) for Fail as defined by University of Sydney Assessment Policy. Details of the Assessment Policy are available on the Policies website at http://sydney.edu.au/policies . Standards for grades in individual assessment tasks and the summative method for obtaining a final mark in the unit will be set out in a marking guide supplied by the unit coordinator.
Policies & Procedures: See the policies page of the faculty website at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/student-policies/ for information regarding university policies and local provisions and procedures within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.
Recommended Reference/s: Note: References are provided for guidance purposes only. Students are advised to consult these books in the university library. Purchase is not required.
  • Environmental Engineering
  • Hydrologic Analysis & Design
  • Potable Water Treatment Processes
  • Water Resources Engineering
Online Course Content: https://elearning.sydney.edu.au

Note that the "Weeks" referred to in this Schedule are those of the official university semester calendar https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp

Week Description
Week 1 Project presentation
Week 2 Literature survey
Week 3 Literature survey and disucssion
Week 4 Open debate and student presentation
Week 5 Open debate and student presentation
Week 6 Open debate and student presentation
Week 7 Open debate and student presentation
Assessment Due: Assignment (draft)
Week 8 Open debate and student presentation
Week 9 Open debate and student presentation
Week 10 Open debate and student presentation
Week 11 Open debate and student presentation
Week 12 Open debate and student presentation
Week 13 Open debate and student presentation
Assessment Due: Assignment (final)

Course Relations

The following is a list of courses which have added this Unit to their structure.

Course Year(s) Offered
Civil Engineering / Arts 2011, 2012
Civil Engineering / Project Management 2012
Civil Engineering / Science 2011, 2012
Project Engineering and Management (Civil) / Science 2011
Master of Engineering (including Grad Cert & Grad Dip) 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Master of Professional Engineering (Civil) 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Master of Professional Engineering (Fluids) 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Master of Professional Engineering (Geomechanical) 2010
Master of Professional Engineering (Structural) 2010
Flexible First Year (Stream A) / Science 2012

Course Goals

This unit contributes to the achievement of the following course goals:

Attribute Practiced Assessed
Design (Level 4) Yes 8.75%
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 4) Yes 48.75%
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 3) Yes 31.25%
Professional Conduct (Level 2) No 11.25%

These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table for details of the attributes and levels to be developed in the course as a whole. Percentage figures alongside each course goal provide a rough indication of their relative weighting in assessment for this unit. Note that not all goals are necessarily part of assessment. Some may be more about practice activity. See Learning outcomes for details of what is assessed in relation to each goal and Assessment for details of how the outcome is assessed. See Attributes for details of practice provided for each goal.