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Best practice water quality testing can provide valuable data on the condition of a particular body of water and whether it may require management intervention. Understanding the health of a waterbody is also critical in enabling managers to create and maintain appropriate water management plans for the future.
This micro credential teaches field skills and conceptual knowledge focused on the following topics: Water quality guidelines for industry, monitoring water quality, cyanobacterial guidelines and risks, bacterial pollution, trace metals and other toxicants, ecotoxicology and bioindicators, issues related to reservoir management and water quality issues associated with mining and other human developments. The field-based learning is completed in a block-mode activity, complemented with online learning on the core content with recorded lectures.
This microcredential has been designed to:
This microcredential aligns with the 4-credit point subject, Water Quality: Issues, Indicators and Safety Guidelines (99028) in the Master of Science Environmental Consultancy and Conservation (C04241). This microcredential may qualify for recognition of prior learning at this and other institutions.
This microcredential is suitable for a wide range of professionals looking to enhance their skill set for careers in environmental sciences. Effective application of skills in field assessments of water quality are relied upon by a wide range of end-users including:
At the same time, non-professionals with an eye to expanding their knowledge of aquatic ecosystem pollution and health will find this course highly informative. Beginners will also find this course welcoming as very little prior knowledge in water quality health and guidelines are required.
Full price: $2,815 (GST-free)*
Special price: $1,895 (GST-free)*
*Price subject to change. Please check price at time of purchase.
COVID-19 response
Online activities provide comprehensive information of the current knowledge in the subject area to support your learning in this microcredential and prepare you for working in field locations.
Field-based learning provides you with the opportunity to experience real world situations and develop the expertise in skills sought after by government agencies and industry groups.
As part of your training, you will attend a field trip to a waterway site in New South Wales and learn sampling techniques to measure the water quality and indicators of biological health in aquatic systems from a leading Australian expert. The samples collected on the field trip will be analysed and this data will form the basis of your report assessing the water quality risks at the site using guidelines and suggest management recommendations.
All information and professional experience are synthesised, so you are able to professionally assess the water quality of the site and then communicate their findings in the form of a written report following current professional standards.
Upon successful completion of this subject, you will be able to:
In order to pass this course, participants must achieve a 50% pass rate and complete all activities. The final mark for this course will be based on three assessment tasks, as below. The weighting for each assessment type is indicated in brackets.
This course has a competency-based assessment conducted in-person during the field trip.
START DATE |
29 August |
MODE |
Online |
DURATION |
7 wks |
COMMITMENT |
Avg 16 hrs p/w |
Simon Mitrovic is a highly regarded UTS freshwater ecologist with expertise in cyanobacterial blooms, environmental flows, microplastics, and plant ecotoxicology. Simon works closely with government departments to understand and solve important environmental issues, including major fish kill events, cold water thermal pollution and algal blooms. He has worked on water sites across Australia and in international locations to investigate and improve water quality for communities around the world.
Simon has published over 100 peer reviewed papers in scientific journals and gives regular public presentations about his research findings.
This course will equip participants with the knowledge and ability to handle wildlife safely and humanely. [5 wks, avg 16 hrs/wk]
Learn how to identify plants and perform vegetation surveys to deliver highly informative biodiversity assessments. [7 wks, avg 14 hrs/wk]
Learn to identify, assess and manage the risk of harm to biota of chemicals of concern at contaminated sites. [Pre-readings + 3 days]
Explore the role of risk assessment approach in contaminated site assessment remediation and management. [Pre-readings + 2.5 days]