Department of Geography

Physical Hydrology

• Credits: 3
• Level: Undergraduate, Year 2
• Semester: 2
• Status: Elective course for BSc/BA major (Geography) and BSc Geography.
• Pre-requisites: GEOG 1231 and GEOG 1232 OR ENRM 1001 and AGSL 1001 OR HOD permission.

Significance/Rationale

Hydrology, literally "the science of water," is the study of the hydrologic cycle: the continuous movement of water from the atmosphere to the land surface, into and through the land surface, and back to the ocean. Water is essential for life and plays an important role in most natural processes including the transport of energy, sediment and contaminants. This elective course provides an in-depth analysis of the key components of modern hydrology and prepares UWI geography graduates with the essential skills needed to analyse and interpret hydrological data sets. The course intends to prepare students for both academic and professional careers in the hydrological sciences and water resource field.

Course description

This course introduces students to the concepts and principles of physical hydrology. In this course we will examine the movement of water in the hydrologic cycle looking at how precipitation becomes streamflow, evapotranspiration and groundwater at the watershed to regional scale. Topics include: the hydrologic cycle and water balances, precipitation, interception, evapotranspiration energy balances, vadose zone hydrology, groundwater hydrology, streamflow generation, ecohydrology, hydrological modelling, and field measurement and analysis techniques. Where possible, examples from tropical landscapes will be used. Given that hydrology is a quantitative science, assignments involving mathematical calculations and analyses form an important part of this course. The course will be delivered to the students through a combination of interactive lectures, seminars, field trips and laboratory exercises. This course will be assessed by examination, laboratory assignments and presentations. The course can be taken as an elective course by students on either the Geography or Environmental and Natural Resources Management Majors. It links with bothGEOG 3111 Natural Hazards and ENRM 3001 Sustainable Watershed Management.