Undergraduate Course: Catchment Water Resources (GEGR10023)
Course Outline
| School | School of Geosciences |
College | College of Science and Engineering |
| Credit level (Normal year taken) | SCQF Level 10 (Year 3 Undergraduate) |
Availability | Not available to visiting students |
| SCQF Credits | 20 |
ECTS Credits | 10 |
| Summary | The successful management of the quantity and quality of water resources requires an understanding of both hydrological processes and the techniques for making relevant information available for decision-making. The course examines the fundamental relationships between land use and water resources before moving on to explore how simulation modelling may allow these data to be explored, generalised and used for predictions by catchment managers. The linkages between catchment land uses and river conditions are explored by studying contemporary issues such as runoff control, sustainable drainage systems and channel restoration. |
| Course description |
Over ten weeks the following topics will be explored: conflicting demands on water resources; case-studies of water demand; effects of urbanisation on water resources; effects of agriculture on water resources; effects of forestry on water resources; sustainable urban drainage systems; field visit; hydrological models; model calibration and validation; flooding and flood control; flood prevention schemes in Edinburgh; river restoration.
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Course Delivery Information
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| Academic year 2014/15, Available to all students (SV1)
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Quota: 26 |
| Course Start |
Semester 1 |
Timetable |
Timetable |
| Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) |
Total Hours:
200
(
Lecture Hours 22,
Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 4,
Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours
174 )
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| Assessment (Further Info) |
Written Exam
60 %,
Coursework
40 %,
Practical Exam
0 %
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| Additional Information (Assessment) |
Degree: One two-hour examination (2 questions) AND One report on hydrological modelling project (1,500 words).
Overall mark for the course (ie degree coursework and examinations) of at least 40.
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| Feedback |
Not entered |
| Exam Information |
| Exam Diet |
Paper Name |
Hours & Minutes |
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| Main Exam Diet S1 (December) | Catchment Water Resources | 2:00 | |
Learning Outcomes
To critically review the basic hydrological and geomorphological processes relevant for river catchment management
To have a comprehensive understanding of the processes by which the use of land for agriculture, mining and urbanisation may affect river flows and water quality.
To understand and be able to construct simple simulation models in hydrology and interpret, use and evaluate the graphical data produced
To consolidate data from a variety of sustainable drainage structures and make informed judgements about the performance of these structures and devices
To formally present this data to informed audiences
To understand the principles and structures for sustainable urban drainage
To appreciate the application of these ideas for river restoration and flood control projects
To have a detailed knowledge of how to apply understanding of physical processes and contemporary management practises in the context of current legislative frameworks
To be aware of contemporary developments affecting the management of water resources through the attendance of additional lectures given by professional hydrologists and river managers.
In the degree examination students are expected to apply their knowledge to evaluate complex, professional level problems associated with the suitability of different contemporary techniques and management practices in water resource management
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Reading List
Jones, J.J.A. (1997) Global Hydrology; Processes, Resources and Environmental Management. Longman.
Newson, M.D. (2008) Land, water and development: sustainable and adaptive management of rivers. Routledge.
Newson, M.D. (1994) Hydrology and the River Environment. Clarendon Press, Oxford
Shaw, E.M. Beven, K.J. Chappell, N.A , Lamb, R. (2010) Hydrology in Practice (4th edition). Spon Press.
Ward, R.C. and Robinson, M. (1999) Principles of Hydrology (4th Ed). McGraw Hill.
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Contacts
| Course organiser | Dr Neil Stuart
Tel: (0131 6)50 2549
Email: N.Stuart@ed.ac.uk |
Course secretary | Miss Beth Muir
Tel: (0131 6)50 9847
Email: beth.muir@ed.ac.uk |
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