Course:SOIL518/Syllabus

Course Content

The course covers all aspects of watershed management in international development settings: a list of topics is provided below. In addition, a large number of case studies have been included, which are linked to one or more topics.

1. Water Issues in International Development: Global water issues; Why a Watershed Approach; Institutional Issues - differences between industrialized & developing countries; Water as a commodity
2. Water & Food Security: Global food consumption; Water requirements for food; Virtual water exports and the water footprints for different foods
3. Land Use Impacts on Water: Impacts of agriculture, urbanization, forestry, mining and recreation on water; Cumulative effects
4. Socio-Economic Factors: Food issues; Supply and demand; Efficiency and management; Pricing of water; Gender and equity
5. Institutions and Governance: Water institutions; Conflict management; Dealing with hazards
6. Water and Human Health: Global context; Water related diseases (microbial, chemical and physical aspects); Challenges and future needs
7. Environmental Factors and Services: Environmental degradation and rehabilitation of streams
8. Special Topics: Aquifer management; Hydropower and reservoirs; Water and tourism; Water harvesting and irrigation; Climate variability; Non-point sources of pollution; Drinking water protection; Various case studies

Course Schedule (Winter Term 2)

Students are to use the schedule below as a guide to reading the corresponding modules in the Water in International Development online textbook. Discussions and Assignments will be based upon the modules covered to date.

Period	Module (Online Textbook)
Week 1	Registration & Introduction
Week 2	Water & Food Security
Week 3	Land Use Impacts on Water
Week 4	Socioeconomics, Institutions & Governance
Week 5	Health & Environmental Issues
Week 6	Aquifer Management
Week 7	Hydropower & Water Storage
Week 8	Drinking Water Protection
Week 9	Non-point Source Pollution
Week 10	Climate Variability
Week 11	Water Harvesting; Water & Tourism
Week 12	Case Studies
Week 13	Summary & Review
Final Exam	Emailed to Students

Learning Objectives

1. Introduce the complex nature of water use in international development and impacts of international development on water resources.
2. Critically review all aspects of water management and its importance in terms of human and environmental health.
3. Create an awareness of the tools necessary to carry out watershed studies in an international context with a specific focus on global issues, transboundary problems, water scarcity and pollution issues.

By the end of the course, participants should have a sound knowledge of the key issues in water resources management in a global context. It is expected that course participants who are involved in developing and implementing a watershed management plan will be able to directly apply the course concepts to their activities.

Assignments and Discussions

To complete the course, the following student activities will be graded:

• Three discussion topics will be posted on UBC Connect. Each discussion topic will be active for 3 weeks. Participation in these topics will be graded.
• Two written assignments will be posted on UBC Connect. Participants have at least 3 weeks to complete each assignment.
• A final exam will be e-mailed to each participant. Participants have 4 days to complete their final exam and submit it by email.