Spring 2018 - GEOG 411 D100

Advanced Hydrology (4)

Class Number: 3595

Delivery Method: In Person

Overview

  • Course Times + Location:

    Jan 3 – Apr 10, 2018: Tue, 8:30–10:20 a.m.
    Burnaby

  • Instructor:

    Jason Leach
    jleach@sfu.ca
    778.782.4937
    Office: RCB 7228
  • Prerequisites:

    one of GEOG 311, 313, or 314; one of GEOG 251 or one of STAT 101, 201, 203 (formerly 103), or 270.

Description

CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:

An examination of hydrologic processes at different scales; effects of climate and land use change on the hydrologic cycle; application of hydrologic models; recent research developments in selected sub-fields of hydrology. Quantitative.

COURSE DETAILS:

This course focuses on hydrological processes in catchments. Students will learn advanced con- cepts on hydrometeorology, runoff generation processes, stream water chemistry, models in catch- ment hydrology, and effects of climate variations and land cover change on streamflow regimes. The course will be structured around the key spatial scales in physical hydrology: plot, hillslope and catchment scales. For each scale we will discuss general hydrologic principles and processes, and how these processes can be measured, described and modelled. We will also discuss issues related to temporal and spatial scaling of hydrologic processes, as well as applied hydrologic problems and issues.  

The course will be structured around lectures and discussions, projects and a review paper. Lectures will focus on introducing key concepts and principles. Each week’s topic will have related readings from international hydrological journals and form the basis for class discussion. Students will complete three short research projects that address examples of applied hydrologic issues using standard and advanced hydrologic techniques. Students will complete a literature review paper on a topic of their choice within the field of hydrology.

Labs will begin in the week of January 8, 2018

COURSE-LEVEL EDUCATIONAL GOALS:

At the completion of this course students will be able to:

  • Describe key hydrologic processes occurring at plot, hillslope and catchment scales
  • Review and critique primary literature from the field of hydrology
  • Apply standard and advanced hydrology analyses and models

Grading

  • Participation 10%
  • Assignments 50%
  • Review paper 40%

Materials

RECOMMENDED READING:

The course will focus on primary literature sources. However, a recommended textbook for those students wishing to gain further insights on hydrology include: 

Dingman, S.L. 2015. Physical Hydrology, Third Edition. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey.

Registrar Notes:

SFU’s Academic Integrity web site http://students.sfu.ca/academicintegrity.html is filled with information on what is meant by academic dishonesty, where you can find resources to help with your studies and the consequences of cheating.  Check out the site for more information and videos that help explain the issues in plain English.

Each student is responsible for his or her conduct as it affects the University community.  Academic dishonesty, in whatever form, is ultimately destructive of the values of the University. Furthermore, it is unfair and discouraging to the majority of students who pursue their studies honestly. Scholarly integrity is required of all members of the University. http://www.sfu.ca/policies/gazette/student/s10-01.html

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS