Entry requirements

60 credits in Earth Sciences. 15 credits in mathematics and 5 credits in statistics are recommended.

Learning outcomes

After completion of the course the student should be able to

• describe the water cycle and its driving processes
• apply the water-balance equation to various hydrological problems in time and space
• measure important components of the water cycle, especially flow measurements in streams
• describe how components of the water cycle are influenced by human activity
• analyse hydrological data and municipal planning in order to evaluate water resource management in an area
• write a report on the results obtained during a short field course

Content

The water cycle. Cocept of a catchment. water balance. Soil water and groundwater. Recharge and discharge zones. Effect of topography. Weather observations, measurements of precipitation. Groundwater recharge. Introduction to run-off models and hydrological predictions. Influence of human activity on the water cycle. Water regulation and supply along with planning. Instrumentation and measurement of stream flow, snow depth and delineation of water divide. Basic methods of hydro-chemical analysis and logger technique.

Field course: delineation of a catchment, flow measurements, interpretation of observed hydrological data and summarizing the results in the form of a report.

Study trips: A visit to the Uppsala Municipal water supply system and water treatment plant.

Significance of EU's water framework directive and water resource management.

Instruction

Lectures, exercises, field trips and a short field course of about 2 days.

Assessment

Examination can be held either during the course or at the end. In order to give grades on the scale 3, 4 or 5, the students need to take part in the exercises and manditory activities, pass the examination and submit the required reports. The examination consists of a written examination (7 credits), and mandatory activities and reports (3 credits).