School of Engineering and Technology, (SET)
 
CE74.11 : Watershed Hydrology  3(3-0)
 
Course objectives:
The objective of this course is to develop students’ advanced knowledge in understanding all aspects of hydrologic cycle and transport processes, and their applications to engineering problems and hydrologic design for water supply, urban drainage, flood control etc.
 
Learning Outcomes:
The students on completion of this course would be able to:
  • Comprehend the hydrologic processes (physical and chemical), including exchange processes between atmosphere and soil surface, surface runoff, and groundwater flow;
  • Formulate hydrological processes in mathematical terms, and employ mathematical and computational techniques to solve water and environmental problems;
  • Comprehend and recognize the limitations of hydrological data in design of water development and management projects; and
  • Apply hydrological theories and principles to water problems, and where necessary further develop hydrological science for engineering applications.
 
Pre-requisite(s):

None
 
Course Outline:
I.          Hydrologic Cycle
1.     Hydrology and meteorology
2.     Precipitation
3.     Evaporation and evapotranspiration
4.     Infiltration and soil water movement
5.     Groundwater flow
6.     Stream flow, flood runoff and flood routing

II.         Hydrologic Transport
1.     Water quality
2.     Erosion and sediment transport
3.     Hydrologic effects of land use change
4.     Contaminant transport in surface water, unsaturated flow, and groundwater

III.        Hydrologic Statistics
1.     Statistical treatment of hydrologic data
2.     Frequency analysis
3.     Hydrologic time series

IV.       Hydrologic Technology
1. Instrumentation, automated data acquisition and transmission
2.     Hydrologic forecasting
3.     Hydrologic design for water use, for urban drainage and flood control, etc.
 
 
 
 
Learning Resources:

Textbook:
No designated textbook, but class notes and handouts will be provided.
 
Reference Books:
1.    Brooks, K.N., Ffolliott, P.F., and Magner, J.A. (2013): Hydrology and the Management of Watersheds, Fourth Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, UK.
2.    Mays, L.W. (2012): Ground and Surface Water Hydrology, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, UK
3.    Brutsaert, W. (2005): Hydrology-An Introduction, Cambridge University Press, New York.
4.    Mays, L. W. (2005): Water Resources Engineering, 2005 Edition, John Wiley & Sons, Inc, USA.
5.    Shaw, E. M., Beven, K. J., Chappell, N. A., and Lamb, R. (2011): Hydrology in Practice, Fourth Edition, Spon press, UK, USA, Canada.
6.    Maidment, D. R. (Editor in Chief) (1993): Handbook of Hydrology, McGraw-Hill, Inc., New York, USA
7.    Chow, V. T., Maidment, D. R. and Mays, L. W. (1988): Applied Hydrology, McGraw-Hill Book Company, Singapore
 
Journals and Magazines:
1.    Journal of Hydrology, Elsevier
2.   Journal of Hydrologic Engineering, American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
3.   Hydrology Research, International Water Association (IWA) Publishing
 
Time Distribution and Study Load:
Classroom lectures                            45h
Tutorials                                                 10h
Field visits                                                5h
Self-study (incl. assignments)          135h
 
Teaching and Learning Methods:
Teaching and learning methods include classroom lectures and discussions, tutorials, individual and group assignments, and field visits. Field visits are designed to expose students to hydro-meteorological instruments and equipment, and with river flow gauging stations. Published journal articles are provided to the students for self-study to enhance their understanding on links between hydrologic theories and practice/applications.
 
Evaluation Scheme:
The final grade is computed according to the following weight distribution: Mid-semester Exam (30%), Final Exam (50%) and Assignments including lab/field visit report (20%). Open-book examination is given in both mid-semester and final exams.

An “A” will be awarded if a student is able to fully understand the range of hydrologic processes and related contents, and is adequately able to apply the knowledge gained to real-time situations. A student is in this category will typically participate, and contribute, actively in class discussions and group assignments. A “B” will be awarded if a student shows an overall understanding of all the given topics. However, application of knowledge into practice is found wanting. A “C” will be given if a student is able to show satisfactory command over the subject matter. A “D” will be given if a student displays very limited knowledge of the subject matter, and does not appear motivated to learn new things.
 
Instructor(s):
SECTION NAME