Integrated Water Management

This course introduces professional writing, collaboration and presentation skills needed to be successful in their chosen field. Learners will gain an understanding of the strategies and competencies required for effective communication with an emphasis on developing the interpersonal skills needed to perform as part of a high-functioning team. Coursework will require learners to work in individual and collaborative settings.

Equivalents:

• COMM 265

In this course, you will learn about managing and analyzing water data. Topics include statistics, geospatial mapping, managing large datasets, quality control, data visualization and analyzing and summarizing data. You will also explore using spreadsheets, GIS tools and aerial photography to facilitate data-driven decision-making. You will be introduced to surface water modelling using HEC-RAS.

Pre-requisites:

• WATR 203
• WATR 206

In this course, you will evolve your competencies in data collection methods and data analysis by demonstrating methods learned in previous classes in a field setting. The field school will involve five consecutive days, each a full day in the field with data analysis following once back in the class setting. You will also be introduced to the two elective stream choices for the IWM program: Advanced Industrial Water Applications and Advanced Environmental Water Applications.

Pre-requisites:

• DATA 200
• TECH 200
• WATR 204

This course introduces the social side of water management with a focus on how water management has contributed to the development of societies globally and in Alberta. Topics include Sustainable Development Goals, social implications of water management for the energy sector, and high-income country versus low to middle-income country approaches to water management. Theoretical concepts will be reinforced through historical examples and case studies and then applied through class discussions and debates.

In this course, you will develop an understanding of the fundamental processes and techniques of Project Management. We will also review leadership theories, and you will develop skills in interpersonal communication, conflict resolution, negotiation, problem-solving, decision-making, emotional intelligence, and leadership. This course specifically focuses on developing relationships with stakeholders from a project management perspective.

In this course, your student team will be provided with industry-generated water project themes and develop a project based on a problem related to one of the themes. You will use all of your knowledge and skills gained in the first and second semesters of the program. To support project scoping, your student team must refine the project through facilitation with experts and applied research techniques. Ultimately, your student team will be responsible for preparing a project charter.

Pre-requisites:

• WATR 206

In this course, you will continue developing your project management skills from Applied Water Project Development. The skillsets you develop in this course will focus on project lifecycle phases: execution, monitoring, controlling and closing. You will be evaluated based on your ability to respond to project challenges related to scope, budget, schedule, resources, risk, communications, and quality. This course will also support your transition to the workforce through self-reflection, portfolio creation and career planning.

Pre-requisites:

• PROJ 210

In this course, small groups will plan, manage and monitor a capstone project integrating knowledge and skill sets developed throughout the IWM program. You will showcase your capstone project in written and oral communication to various audiences. You will also develop behaviours and skill sets that demonstrate professionalism.

Pre-requisites:

• DATA 200
• TECH 200
• WATR 204
• PROJ 301

In this course, you will learn how to systematically evaluate risks by developing risk criteria, conducting a risk assessment, identifying measures to manage the risks and developing a risk management implementation plan. This course focuses on strategic planning and technical report writing with in-class working sessions related to the risk of drought in the Canadian Prairies and risks due to river flooding. Students will also be introduced to the Phase 1 Environmental Site Assessment process.

Pre-requisites:

• WATR 206

This course introduces fundamental techniques for collecting water-related data in the field, including navigation, surveying, and surface water and groundwater quantity measurements. For each field technique, students will conduct a hazard assessment. Students will be able to demonstrate techniques in a hands-on laboratory environment, which will be developed further in a natural setting in field school in a future course.

Pre-requisites:

• WATR 203
• WATR 206

This course introduces hydrology, hydraulics and hydrogeology concepts, such as fluid dynamics, the water cycle, types of water bodies, watershed land-water interactions and the water balance. It will provide you with a foundation of knowledge and skills for later Integrated Water Management program courses. This course focuses on the analytical methods and calculations to support theory in water management.

This course will teach you about water-related ecosystems, including riparian, aquatic, and wetland ecosystems. For each ecosystem, you will consider critical components, beneficial functions and how to assess health. You will be introduced to plant and aquatic species identification, characterization of soils, conducting water quality tests, and riparian, wetland and lake assessments.

Pre-requisites:

• WATR 206

This course introduces water legislation in Alberta and Canada and how regulations and policies are implemented across jurisdictions, governing bodies and project types. Various water governance approaches and theories will also be explored. Specific project case studies and industry and government speakers will complement your theory classes.

Pre-requisites:

• WATR 206

This course introduces various components of managing water, including the balance between water supply and demand, human and industry influences on water management, water and wastewater treatment systems, surface runoff management systems and risks to water management from extreme conditions. This course focuses on concepts and strategies across water management involving interactive activities in a classroom-based setting and is supported by field visits within Calgary.

In this course, you will develop water-related climate change mitigation skills, such as forecasting (emergency scenarios and future water availability). The design of appropriate and resilient water management solutions will also be discussed.

Pre-requisites:

• DATA 200
• TECH 200

In this course, you will expand your knowledge of the economic valuation of water and water management projects. The course covers fundamental economic concepts, including the interplay of supply and demand and pricing, assessments of alternatives, valuation of environmental goods and services, cost-benefit analysis, natural asset management, forecasting and data-driven decision-making.

Pre-requisites:

• WATR 206

In this course, you will explore new techniques that challenge existing water systems. You will be exposed to a range of innovations that are currently transforming or potentially transforming the water sector. You will be introduced to useful tools to support disruptive water management within lectures and labs. Since data collection technology tends to evolve rapidly, students will conduct a research project on emerging technologies in the water-related data field.

Pre-requisites:

• DATA 200
• TECH 200

In this course, you will apply theory and principles from the IWM program to projects common to an environmental specialization. The overarching themes include low-impact stormwater management, groundwater remediation, and erosion and sediment control. Topics will be introduced through lectures and readings and then applied through computer modelling using SWMM software, design scenarios and laboratory experiments.

Pre-requisites:

• INRY 301

You will be introduced to new industry applications of water management, such as water treatment selection, water disposal considerations and techniques, bioengineered wetlands for contaminant treatment, systems modelling and water-related disease control. Industry and field visits will complement course material. Completion of this elective will provide you with further specialization in the IWM program

Pre-requisites:

• INRY 301