Undergraduate Course: Hydrogeology 1: Applied Hydrogeology (EASC10082)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Available to all students |
| SCQF Credits | 10 |
ECTS Credits | 5 |
| Summary | Students will gain a knowledge that covers and integrates most of the principal areas, features, boundaries, terminology and conventions of applied hydrogeology. They will gain an understanding of the principal theories and concepts behind the development of conceptual hydrogeological models. They will cover a range of standard techniques for the investigation of hydrogeological parameters. They will be knowledgeable and skilled in the use of numerical data to solve issues in hydrogeology. In addition they will be able to use both analytical and graphical techniques to predict the movement of groundwater and contaminant transport, as well as be able to produce water balances for catchment areas. Through group based case studies on real life problems, which the students will present, the applicability of the subject area, its use and its limits are demonstrated. In addition as part of the assessment students are expected to complete a project on the distribution of groundwater in different hydrogeological environments, requiring a synoptic understanding of hardrock and surface geology, facies interpretation and material characteristics. Finally accompanying the lecture series reference is made to the parameter uncertainty and its impact in terms of risk. |
| Course description |
The course will consist of lectures, tutorials and a field trip.
During lectures you will get exercises to complete which you can self asses. Tutorials will include demonstrations of the questions set. You can use these tutorial to get feedback on your work and provide a forum to discuss any items which are not clear from the previous lectures.
Attendance at lectures and tutorials is expected and a register will be maintained.
Chapter 1 Introduction to Applied Geoscience Foundations
Chapter 2 Soil description for Applied Geoscience Purposes
Chapter 3 Groundwater Flow
Chapter 4 Groundwater Geochemistry
Chapter 5 Aquifer Investigation Techniques
Chapter 6 Contaminant Transport
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Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
| Pre-requisites |
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Co-requisites | |
| Prohibited Combinations | |
Other requirements | Students should show a background in applied science. For non-engineering or non-geoscience students who wish to take the course, contact should be made with the course organiser. |
Information for Visiting Students
| Pre-requisites | None |
| High Demand Course? |
Yes |
Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2019/20, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: None |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
100
(
Lecture Hours 10,
Seminar/Tutorial Hours 20,
Feedback/Feedforward Hours 3,
Summative Assessment Hours 2,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
63 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
80 %,
Coursework
20 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Written Exam: 80%, Course Work: 20 %
Exam comprises two compulsory questions.
The course work comprises a 1000 word essay on a topical hydrogeology related research theme and a group presentation of that theme. Research themes are suggested in class, and include a choice of the following:
Fracking
Geothermal
Carbon Capture and Storage::CO2 Sequestration in saline aquifers
Groundwater mining and subsidence
Regional Groundwater Management, (The Aral Sea, and other examples)
Saline water ingression in coastal aquifers
Urban groundwater
Heavy metals in Groundwater
Groundwater salinification
Radwaste storage
Water and conflict
Assessment deadlines
Report on Research Theme Semester 1, Week 9 Friday
Written Exam Semester 1, December Exam Diet
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| Feedback |
Weekly tutorials for discussion of voluntary class work and exercises accompanying lecture notes.
In class discussion of unclear points.
Weekly tutorials and test questions.
Student presentation.
Feedback on student essay making 20% of class mark.
Field course for sample description.
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| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | | 1:20 | |
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Gain an understanding of applied geoscience, particularly engineering hydrogeology.
- Understand the impact of geology on groundwater distribution
- Understand the geochemistry and the classifications of groundwater
- Understand the key concepts of contaminant transport (diffusion, dispersion, sorption, decay).
- Apply hydrogeological knowledge to a critical analysis of water management issues demonstrated in terms of key case studies
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Reading List
Freeze, R .A. and J.A. Cherry (1979): Groundwater.- Prentice-Hall, Englewood Cliffs
Fetter, C.W. (2001): Applied Hydrogeology.- Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs
Fetter, C.W. (1993): Contaminant Hydrogeology. - Macmillan Publishing Company, New York; S. 458
Reynolds, J M, An Introduction to Applied and Environmental Geophysics, Wiley-Blackwell
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Additional Information
| Graduate Attributes and Skills |
Not entered |
| Additional Class Delivery Information |
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| Keywords | Hydro1_appliedhydro |
Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Chris McDermott
Tel:
Email: |
Course secretary | Ms Katerina Sykioti
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email: |
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