| Unit name | Introduction to Hydrology |
|---|---|
| Unit code | CADEM0004 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Woods |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
None |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering |
| Faculty | Faculty of Engineering |
Why is this unit important?
This unit is about understanding the processes that influence water on and below the Earth’s surface. Hydrological processes govern the occurrence and movement of water throughout the environment, and knowledge of these processes will help to understand how water is measured and modelled, to understand water resources and water-related hazards, and how water and the environment are managed. During this unit we will also learn the basics of coding in Python.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit is part of the MSc Water and Environmental Management (WEM) programme. The WEM programme has been designed around five core subjects: fundamental hydrology, data science, environmental modelling, environmental management, and decision making. This unit covers the topics of fundamental hydrology and the basics of using Python; both are needed for other units in the programme.
An overview of content
This unit will provide an overview of the entire hydrological cycle, and then will look at a range of environmental processes, including topics such as weather and climate, catchments and aquifers, and water quality. We will synthesise across all these topics to look at which processes interact to control the severity of floods and droughts, and how global changes such as climate change and land use change impact on hydrological processes.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
You will learn the principles of hydrology for all major components of the hydrological cycle, as well as how the different parts of the water cycle interact with each other. You will also learn how global change influences hydrological processes. In addition, you will also get a basic knowledge of how to code in Python to allow you to apply your knowledge of processes in other units.
Learning Outcomes
How you will learn
You will be introduced to the key concepts using lectures with supporting slides and reference material. We will use examples and formative homework to reinforce the new concepts through looking at some applications. You will have the opportunity in class to ask for clarification on new concepts.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
During the teaching block we will give you formative homework to let you check your understanding.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
One 100% exam, closed book, individual (ILOs 1-3).
When assessment does not go to plan
Any reassessment task will have the same form as the summative assessment task.
If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.
If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. CADEM0004).
How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours
of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks,
independent learning and assessment activity.
See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.
Assessment
The assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit.
The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates
within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
