Hydrology (ERASMUS)

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An introductory hydrology course designed for earth and environmental sciences students. Focus will be on hydrological cycle and hydrological processes: precipitation, evaporation and streamflow. Concept of water balance will be explained. Basic measurements and research methods will be presented.

Main topics of lectures:

1. Introduction to Hydrologic Science: Hydrology as a geoscience - scope of hydrology, textbooks, research centers, scientific organizations and research programs.

2. The global hydrological cycle. Water resources of the Earth (Global Ocean and Continental Water). Hydrological processes in terrestrial environment: precipitation, evapotranspiration, streamflow.

3. Water Balance Concept. Water balance of the catchment system. Water balance of the lake system. Water balance of the wetland system.

4. Hydrography objects: rivers - stream flow hydrograph, measurements techniques, measures of discharge.

5. Hydrography objects: lakes, wetlands - their features and role in hydrological cycle.

6. Soil moisture and groundwater - their features, dynamics and role in hydrological cycle.

7. Changes in hydrological processes

There are now many hydrology texts which might be used in the addition to the material presented during lectures, e.g.:

1. Davie T., 2002, Fundamentals of Hydrology (Routledge Fundamentals of Physical Geography)

2. Ward, R.C. and M. Robinson, 2000, Principles of hydrology.McGraw Hill

3. Shaw E., Beven K., Chappell N.A., Lamb R., Hydrology in practice. Forth edition. Chapman and Hall

By the end of this course, and having completed the relevant textbooks, you will have:

Knowledge:

1. Knowledge of hydrological processes in different terrestrial environments

2. Knowledge of hydrological techniques and their application in understanding processes and monitoring hydrological dynamics

Skills:

1. Skill to explain linkages between hydrological processes

2. Skill to explain the causes of extreme hydrological events

3. Skill to present the elements of the water balance

Attitudes:

1. Understanding the importance of hydrological knowledge for the protection of the environment

2. Understanding the importance of long-term monitoring of the aquatic environment

Exam will be in written form (test) containing the information from lectures. Exam date will be announced at least one week in advance and posted to registered participants by email. Final grades will be based upon the percentage of possible points earned: 100-92% - 5, 91-83% - 4.5, 82-74% - 4, 73-65% - 3.5, 64-51% - 3.0, 50-0% - 2.0 (unsatisfactory).

Most exam questions will require a short answer of between one and couple of words or just choosing the best answer from the answer choices. However, there will also be some questions that involve calculations.