WSM551 - Watershed Management

Subject Title
Watershed Management

Subject Description
Everyone, and everything, exists within a watershed - an area of higher elevation land that drains water into a specific lower receiving waterbody. Think of a bathtub where everything in that tub or basin flows to the lowest control point, the drain. Students will take a deep dive into Ontario?s unique watershed management legislation by studying the Conservation Authorities Act and associated regulations. Using Ontario?s watersheds as case studies, students learn how a watershed works through an in-depth look at the hydrologic cycle. But it?s not just about water. While moving through the various landforms of a watershed water carries with it organic debris and dissolved organic matter that act as food and shelter for aquatic life. It also carries pollutants like fertilizers, pesticides, sediments and phosphorus. Attention is brought to the conflicting demands and uses within the watershed as well as various remedial options including Low Impact Development and Storm Water Management. Armed with this knowledge and using the key components of successful watershed management, students develop a Watershed Management Plan as a blueprint for how to manage human activities and natural resources on a watershed basis. Students will see the connections between themselves, the environment and the watershed they sometimes unknowingly call home and how to manage those watersheds in light of climate change.

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

• Follow established Ontario protocols supporting environmental management systems.
• Promotion and maintenance of sustainable practices by applying elements of ecosystem-based management.
• Creation of a team watershed management plan which acts as a blueprint of how to best protect and improve water quality and other natural resources within a watershed.
• Identification and understanding of living and non-living components of a watershed in both natural and altered landscapes.
• Evaluate the impacts of living and non-living components of a watershed on the surface and groundwater flows through the natural & altered landscapes.
• Communicate technical information accurately and effectively in oral, written, visual and electronic forms.
• Develop and present strategies for personal and professional development.
• Use of the critical thinking process and problem solving techniques to find effective and efficient solutions.
• Foundation for further studies and eventually a career in environment and natural resource sciences.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.