THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2022/2023

Timetable information in the Course Catalogue may be subject to change.

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Geosciences : Earth Science

Undergraduate Course: Hydrogeology 1: Applied Hydrogeology (EASC10082)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Geosciences CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 10 (Year 4 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryStudents will gain a knowledge that covers and integrates most of the principle 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. Completing these projects will require the students to appreciate 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 excursion.

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
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites 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-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2022/23, Available to all students (SV1) 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 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 80 %, Coursework 20 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Field excursion (not assessed)

Afternoon field excursion (may be Virtual field excursion) to the River Almond to describe a range of rock and soil types in the field using BS 5930, the British Standards Institution code of practice for site investigations. (Students travel independently to the field site)

Course work 20%

An essay at week 3 on a topical hydrogeology related research theme (chose 1 out of 11 options) and a group presentation per theme. The students have 3 weeks to complete the essay. The essay has a 1000-word limit and expectation of modest extra reading, between 4-10 references per essay. The essay and presentation accounts for 20% of the course work.

Written exam: 80%.

1 hour 20 minutes + 1 hour digital upload exam (+ 1 hour for students with additional time adjustments) in the Semester 1, December exam diet.
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 and groundwater contamination exercise making 30% of class mark.

Virtual field course for soil and rock descriptions.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)1:00
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Gain an understanding of applied geoscience, particularly engineering hydrogeology
  2. Understand the impact of geology on groundwater distribution
  3. Understand the geochemistry and the classifications of groundwater
  4. Understand the key concepts of contaminant transport (diffusion, dispersion, sorption, decay).
  5. Apply hydrogeological knowledge to a critical analysis of water management issues demonstrated in terms of key case studies
Reading List
Please see current reading list for the course at: https://eu01.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/leganto/readinglist/searchlists
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information
Keywordshydrogeology
Contacts
Course organiserDr Chris McDermott
Tel:
Email:
Course secretaryMs Katerina Sykioti
Tel: (0131 6)50 5430
Email:
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