No offerings have been identified for this subject in 2015
HYD300 Hydroclimatology (8)
Abstract| This subject aims at understanding natural hydroclimatological variability through the analysis of past records of environmental change. It introduces the contemporary (present day) processes controlling the behaviour of water in the atmosphere and at the Earth's surface, and draws students' attention to potential future challenges in hydroclimatology resulting from increasing human impact upon the atmosphere-land-water system. This subject will address these issues using hypothetical and 'real-life' examples within lectures. |
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+ Subject Availability Modes and Location
Continuing students should consult the SAL for current offering details prior to contacting their course coordinator: HYD300
Where differences exist between the handbook and the SAL, the SAL should be taken as containing the correct subject offering details.
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Subject information| Duration | Grading System | School: |
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| One session | HD/FL | School of Environmental Sciences |
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Learning OutcomesUpon successful completion of this subject, students should:
Be able to describe the underlying links between climate variability and water resources;
Be able to describe and explain natural hydroclimatological variability at a variety of spatial scales;
Be able to describe the methods used to reconstruct records of past hydroclimatological change;
Be able to explain the fundamental concepts and methods used in both the climatic and hydrological sciences;
Be able to show knowledge of state-of-the-art technology and instrumentation including weather radars and satellites for real-time measurement of meteorological and climatic paramaters;
Be able to demonstrate understanding of causes and effects of atmospheric and ocean circulations;
Be able to discuss the interactions among ocean/atmospheric circulation and hydrological processes like precipitation, evaporation, interception, soil moisture, snow, stream flow, etc;
Be able to explain climate change and climate variability;
Be able to demonstrate understanding of climate indicators, hydroclimatic models and sources of global climate data;
Be able to discuss the 'contemporary' challenges in hydroclimatology resulting from increasing human impact upon processes within the hydrological cycle.
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SyllabusThe subject will cover the following topics:
Introduction to hydroclimatology and scope of the subject;
Advanced aspects of global and Australian climate;
Global heat balance and water balance;
Stefan-Boltzmann law of radiation;
Significance of radiation and atmospheric moisture in formation of weather systems and climate;
Ralationships among temperature, humidity, vapour pressure and elevations;
Advanced techniques for measurement of spatial and temporal variability of rainfall patterns;
Atmospheric and ocean circulations, trade-winds and their implications;
Implications of climate change and climate variability;
Instrumentation for measurement (both online and offline) of meteorological and climatic parameters;
Sources of climate data collation and retrieval;
Climate variability indices and their significance and application;
Global circulation models and climate prediction;
Weather forecast and synoptic charts;
Global warming and sea level rise;
Hydroclimatic aspects of water virtual trading;
Energy balance at farm level;
Case studies and field examples related to the climate and water resources.
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Residential School| This subject contains a compulsory 3 day residential school.
Laboratory and fieldwork.
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The information contained in the 2015 CSU Handbook was accurate at the date of publication: 01 October 2015. The University reserves the right to vary the information at any time without notice.
