Hydrological Sciences

Operation, pumping plant characteristics and efficiency, hydraulic network analysis, system evaluation. Alternating years typically in Spring. 3 credits.

This course was developed to provide an introduction to watershed hydrology for students from a variety of academic backgrounds. In general, it covers both the basics of how water moves through the environment, water waves, and current theories as to how hydrologic response is modified by environmental change at a variety of spatial scales. There are no prerequisites and this course can serve as the first in a series focused on watershed management, water quality or planning. Typically in Spring only. 3 credits.

Sources and distribution of water in urban environment, including surface reservoir requirements, utilization of groundwater, and distribution systems. Analysis of sewer systems and drainage courses for the disposal of both wastewater and storm water. Pumps and lift stations. Urban planning and storm drainage practice. The course employs the basic principles of hydraulics to design of hydraulic structures. It combines hydraulics and urban drainage issues. Topics include (i) water distribution systems, (ii) pump design and selection, (iii) sanitary sewer design, and (iv) storm sewer design. Basic rainfall-runoff relationships, design of storage structures, and unit hydrograph theory are also covered. Typically offered only in Fall. 3 credits.

Fundamental concepts and design procedures for the treatment of municipal and industrial water and wastewaters. Problem assessment; determination of water and wastewater characteristics, biological, physical, and chemical treatment methods, process design, and disposal of residues. Typically Fall only. 3 credits.

Energy and momentum principles, design of open channels for uniform and nonuniform flow, boundary layer and roughness effects, flow over spillways, energy dissipation, flow in channels of nonlinear alignment and nonprismatic section. Typically offered only in Fall. 3 credits.

Water waves; Coastal circulation; Coastal structure design. Typically offered only in Fall. 3 credits.

Basic principles of fluid flow in saturated and unsaturated materials. Darcy’s law, well hydraulics, determination of hydraulic properties of aquifers. Infiltration theory. Discussions of artificial recharge, land subsidence, saltwater intrusion, ground water quality and contamination. Typically Spring only. 3 credits.

Sediment properties and the mechanics of sediment transport. Threshold of movement. Riverbed load and suspended load theories. Regime theory and stable channel design. River diversion problems. Erosion. Geomorphologic and water quality aspects. 3 credits.