GEOG2020
HYDROCLIMATOLOGY
Dr J.R. Thompson (convenor), Dr R. Taylor & Dr C. Brierley
Unit Value: 0.5 units Year 2 Term 1
Brief Course Description
GEOG 2020 Hydroclimatology is designed to develop students’ understanding of atmospheric and terrestrial hydrological processes and their interactions. It also introduces and evaluates the wide-range of techniques that are available to monitor and model hydrological and climatological processes.
Course Aims
• To explore the operation of climate variability and the atmospheric and terrestrial hydrological processes and their interactions.
• To introduce students to a range of field, laboratory and analytical techniques used in the monitoring and modelling of atmospheric and terrestrial hydrological processes.
• To increase students’ quantitative analytical skills through a practical exercise.
• To facilitate hydrological / climatological based third year dissertations.
Course Content
The course is structured around three main modules: climatology, surface water hydrology, and hydrogeology. Within each of these modules emphasis is placed on explaining the key water and water-related processes, their interactions and techniques available to monitor and model them. The following topics are included within the three modules.
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Climatology Controls on and movement of water in the atmosphere. |
Surface Water Hydrology Runoff generation. |
Hydrogeology Groundwater recharge and storage – theory and measurement. |
Method of Teaching
The course is taught by lectures and practical classes associated with a computer-based practical exercise that draws upon parts of the course. Students are expected to follow up lectures with reading in order to develop their understanding of the material presented in the course.
Form of Assessment
The course is assessed by a 2 hour written examination (60% of course mark) and a 2,500 word write-up of the practical (40% of course mark).
Suggested Reading
Browning K.A. and Gurney, R.J. (Eds) 1999. Global Energy and Water Cycles. CUP, Cambridge.
Jones, J.A.A. 1997. Global Hydrology: Processes, Resources and Environmental Management. Longman, Harlow.
Glantz, M. 2001. Currents of Change: El Nino and La Nina Impacts on Climate and Society, CUP, Cambridge.
Bigg, G. 2003. The Oceans and Climate, CUP, Cambridge
Shaw, E. 1994. Hydrology in Practice (3rd. ed.). Chapman & Hall, London.
Ward, R.C. and Robinson, M. 1999. Principles of Hydrology (4th. Ed.). McGraw-Hill, London.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course although students who have not taken the first year course GEOG 1002 Environmental Systems and Processes will find it necessary to undertake additional reading.
