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for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
| Unit name |
Hydrosphere 2 |
| Unit code |
GEOG25050 |
| Credit points |
20 |
| Level of study |
I/5
|
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
|
| Unit director |
Professor. Bates |
| Open unit status |
Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
All units in Single Honours Geography Year 1 |
| Co-requisites |
All units in Single Honours Geography Year 2 on B Syllabus |
| School/department |
School of Geographical Sciences |
| Faculty |
Faculty of Science |
Description including Unit Aims
This unit comprises three elements: 'River Hydraulics' taught by Professor Paul Bates, 'Hillslope Hydrology' taught by Dr. Katerina Michaelides and 'Slope Stability' taught by Dr. Liz Holcombe. It aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to hydrological and geomorphological processes across a spectrum of scales from catchments to channels. The general fluid dynamics approach that is taken is relevant to many other areas of the physical sciences and through this unit a number of general concepts are introduced, such as conservation of mass and momentum, turbulence, force-balance equations, flow through porous media and mathematical modelling. More specifically, the unit provides an essential foundation for the hydrology units to be followed next year.
Aims:
- To introduce the hydrological processes affecting regional ecosystems, catchments and slopes:
- the hillslope hydrology processes affecting surface water flows, erosion, infiltration and sub-surface flows
- the influence of rainfall infiltration and soil moisture conditions on the strength of weathered materials and on slope stability
- the atmospheric and environmental variables driving the regional hydrological cycle, with specific reference to the effect of surface conditions (e.g. soil moisture and vegetation) on the recycling of precipitation
- To introduce the basic physical concepts and equations which represent these processes
- To introduce come of the concepts and methods involved in developing and applying physically-based models of these processes
Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of this Unit students should be able to:
- Understand the basic hydrological processes at work in regional climates and ecosystems, catchments, and slopes
- Understand the relevant driving forces and equations of motion in hillslope hydrology, slope stability and ecohydrology/micrometeorology
- Understand the basic models used to simulate the above processes and the concepts of model selection, parameterization, calibration and verification.
A subsidiary aim of this element is to introduce a number of essential (and transferable) mathematical concepts in a manner suited to the mixed ability background of geographers. One of its major roles is to facilitate development of numeracy skills necessary for geographers to compete with other scientists and engineers for careers. In addition it will encourage the development of an ability to critically evaluate technical material.
Teaching Information
Lectures (20 x 1 hour) and a practical (1 x 3 hours)
Assessment Information
- 25% of practical report
- 75% unseen exam
Reading and References
- Bierkens, M.F.P. , Dolman, A.J. , and Torch P.A. (Editors) (2008). Climate and the Hydrological Cycle. Wallinford: IAHS Press, IAHS special publication 8. (Queens Building QC981.8.C5 CLI)
- Hornberger, G.M, J.P. Raffensperger, P.L. Wiberg and K.N. Eshleman (1998) ‘Elements of Physical Hydrology’. John Hopkins University Press, Baltimore (Geographical Sciences, E ELE)
- Jones, J.A.A. (1997) ‘Global Hydrology: Processes, Resources and Environmental Management’. Longman, Harlow. (Geographical Sciences, E JON; Wills Memorial Buidling GB661.2 JON)
- Selby, M.J. (1993) ‘Hillslope Materials and Processes’, Oxford University Press, Oxford. (Geographical Sciences, F4 SEL)
