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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2015/2016

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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 principal areas, features, boundaries, terminology and conventions of applied hydrogeology. They will also gain an understanding of the principal theories and concepts behind the development of a conceptual hydrogeological model. 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 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 Case study Ogallala Aquifer & Arizona
Chapter 6 Modelling Groundwater Flow
Chapter 7 Aquifer Investigation Techniques
Chapter 8 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 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  500
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 75 %, Coursework 25 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) Written Exam: 75%, Course Work: 25 %

Exam comprises a Part A, and a Part B. Part A covers generic hydrogeological skills, geological understanding and mapping understanding. Part B focuses on specific parts of the course covered.

The course work comprises a 2000 word essay on Hydrogeological environments. More detail and discussion given in class.
Students will also sit a two-hour written exam (75%).
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 25% of class mark.
Field course for sample description.
Exam Information
Exam Diet Paper Name Hours & Minutes
Main Exam Diet S1 (December)Hydrogeology 1: Applied Hydrogeology1:30
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Gain an understanding of applied geoscience, particularly engeineering 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
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
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
Additional Class Delivery Information

KeywordsHydro1_appliedhydro
Contacts
Course organiserDr Chris Mcdermott
Tel:
Email: cmcdermo@staffmail.ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Casey Hollway
Tel: (0131 6)50 8510
Email: Casey.Hollway@ed.ac.uk
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