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Practical, hands-on learning

Through a number of case studies, workshops, field trips and problem-based learning projects (PBL’s) program, Master of Integrated Water Management participants can integrate their learning from the co-requisite courses by applying trans-disciplinary knowledge and skills to specific water-related problems. They also participate in an integrated water management capacity building workshop and a one-day water leadership masterclass, which assist in the development of higher-order water management skills.

The culminating experience in the program is the final project, undertaken over one trimester for full-time students or two trimesters for part-time students.

Field trips

Participants experience a number of field trips throughout the program. Some field trips are for all particpants and some relate to the specilisation stream chosen.

Foundation trimester

  • Three days on North Stradbroke Island, in Queensland, Australia
  • One-day Brisbane River field trip
  • Half-day field trip to an Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant
  • Half-day water sampling field trip

Integration trimester

For all students:

  • ten days in Cairns, in far North Queensland, Australia, as part of the course ‘Catchment and aquatic ecosystem health.’ Students learn about how to measure, monitor and manage land-based, tourism and climate change impacts on the Great Barrier Reef.

For students who take the ‘WASH and development’ specialisation:

  • ten days in Thailand, as part of the summer-trimester course ‘Community, livelihoods development and water’
  • 1 day of community environmental health assessment work on North Stradbroke Island, Queensland, Australia.

For students who take the ‘Urban water’ specialisation:

  • the ‘Urban futures’ course includes four half-day field trips looking at aspects of urban waterways and water sensitive urban design
  • the ‘Urban metabolism’ course includes three half-day visits to an advanced reclamation plant, a permaculture site and a range of houses in Brisbane with sustainable water, food and energy design features.

For students who take the ‘Water, land and people’ specialisation:

  • eight days in Perth, Western Australia, as part of the summer-trimester course ‘Water, agricultural landscapes and food security’.

Problem-based learning (PBL) projects

Problem-based learning (PBL) projects comprise roughly 50% of the assessment weight for both the Foundation and Integration trimesters. Full-time students complete two PBL projects per trimester, while part-time students complete one PBL per trimester.

Foundation trimester

  • PBL1:Situation analysis and critique of an existing water management project or program
  • PBL2: Design a project proposal to address a real-world water management issue from an integrated water management perspective

Integration trimester

  • PBL3: Integrated catchment management: developing strategies for change
  • PBL4: Learning lessons from integrated water management in practice

Final project experience

Participants design and undertake self-directed project work aimed at consolidating and applying concepts and methodologies learned in the Foundation, Integration and Specialisation trimesters.

Scholarship and visa conditions permitting, projects can be undertaken in Australia or overseas.

Visit our YouTube channel for final project videos

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