ESS 454         Hydrogeology                                

 
 


INTRODUCTION



Hydrogeology encompases the relationship between geologic materials and the process of water movement within the Earth.  Water  within the matrix of rocks and soil has a volume some 70 times greater than all water in streams, rivers and lakes.  This groundwater is an extraodinarily precious societal resource that is increasingly at risk as a result of exploitation and contamination. 


ESS 454 (Hydrogeology) provides an introduction to the important principals and practices associated with an understanding of groundwater and its utilization.  This is a three credit (three lectures a week) course.  The content has significant quantitative and conceptual components that are best learned through weekly homework sets and weekly 15 minute quizes  (which substitute for a midterm).  Students will fully utilize fundamental supporting math and science (calculus, physics, chemistry) in meeting the learning goals of this course.


ESS 454 is recommended for students in the Environmental Option of the BS in Earth and Space Sciences.








 

WHO TAKES THIS COURSE?

  1. •ESS majors expanding their knowledge of the environmental sciences

  2. •Students in cognate fields (including  civil engineering, oceanography, physics, and forestry).


WHAT WILL YOU STUDY?

  1. •Analysis of groundwater flow systems

  2. •Characterization of hydrologic properties of geologic materials

  3. •Geologic controls on groundwater flow

  4. •Basics of groundwater chemistry and solute transport

  5. •Use of numerical models

  6. •Issues in groundwater resource management


COURSE EVALUATION

  1. •On-line exercises (10%)

  2. •Weekly homework assignments (30%),

  3. •Weekly Quizes (30%)

  4. •Final Exam (20%)

  5. •Final Report (10%)



TEXT

   Applied Hydrogeology

         4th edition

        by C.W. Fetter


PREPARATION FOR HYDROGEOLOGY

ESS students taking Hydrogeology should have completed ESS 311. Non-ESS majors should discuss their background with the instructor.

Link to Moodle Site