575.717.81 - Hydrology
Description
This course introduces the fundamental physical principles that are necessary to understand the occurrence, distribution, and circulation of water near Earth’s surface. Students will be introduced to the global hydrological cycle and the influence of climate, geology, and human activity. Students will study the processes of precipitation and evapotranspiration; surface water flow, floods, and storage in natural and artificial reservoirs; groundwater flow; and whole-cycle catchment hydrology. Although less emphasized, water-quality and water resources management issues will be discussed and case studies presented. Throughout the course, a quantitative approach is taken in which mathematical descriptions of hydrological phenomena will frequently be an objective. The course will also provide an introduction to hydrological data acquisition and analysis.
Instructor
Jeff Raffensperger
Course Structure
It is expected that each module will take approximately 7–10 hours per week to complete. Here is an approximate breakdown: reading the assigned sections of the textbook (approximately 3–4 hours per week) as well as some outside reading, listening to the audio annotated slide presentations (approximately 1 hour per week), online quizzes (approximately 1 hour per week), assignments (approximately 2–3 hours per week), and participation in optional office hour (up to 1 hour per week).
Course Topics
The Science of Hydrology |
Precipitation and Evapotranspiration |
Fluid Statics and Dynamics |
Energy Loss/Laminar and Turbulent Flows |
Open Channel Hydraulics |
Flood Waves and Flood Routing |
Flood Frequency Analysis |
Darcy’s Law/Aquifers and Aquitards |
Steady Groundwater Flow and Flow Nets |
Regional Groundwater Flow and Wells |
Forces on Water in the Unsaturated Zone |
Processes in the Saturated Zone |
Thanksgiving Break |
Hydrographs and Runoff Processes |
Catchment Models: TOPMODEL |
Course Goals
By the completion of the course, you will be able to:
- Explain the concept of the hydrological cycle and define important reservoirs and fluxes between those reservoirs.
- Quantify components of the hydrological cycle in terms of a water balance.
- Apply hydrological concepts and mathematical equations to describe the movement of water within a watershed, including groundwater and surface water flow and water movement in the unsaturated zone.
- Describe field and laboratory data collection methods used by hydrologists.
Textbooks
Hornberger, G.M., Wiberg, P.L., Raffensperger, J.P., and D'Odorico, P., 2014, Elements of Physical Hydrology (Second ed.): Baltimore, The Johns Hopkins University Press, 392 p.
Student Coursework Requirements
This course will consist of three basic student requirements:
Assignments (50% of Final Grade Calculation)
Assignments consist of a quantitative problem set. Each problem should have the problem statement, assumptions, computations, and conclusions/discussion delineated. Any calculations done using software should include the script, code, or workbook. Partial credit is allowed.
All assignments are due according to the dates in the Calendar. Late submissions will be reduced by one letter grade for each week late (no exceptions without prior coordination with the instructors). If, after submitting a written assignment you are not satisfied with the grade received, you are encouraged to redo the assignment and resubmit it. If the resubmission results in a better grade, that grade will be substituted for the previous grade.
Quizzes (30% of Final Grade Calculation)
The quizzes consist of multiple-choice questions. Each Module may have a different number of questions but the weight assigned to each question is the same (10 points) throughout the course. Final grade is simply the average of all graded answers.
Discussion Participation (20% of Final Grade Calculation)
Discussions span two or more Modules. Post your initial contribution to the discussion question by the end of the first Module week. Post a response by the end of the last Module week for that discussion question. Part of your grade for module discussion is your interaction (i.e., responding to classmate postings with thoughtful responses) with at least two classmates (i.e., critical thinking). Be detailed in your postings and in your responses to your classmates' postings. Feel free to agree or disagree with your classmates. Please ensure that your postings are civil and constructive.
I will monitor module discussions and will respond to some of the discussions as discussions are posted. In some instances, I will summarize the overall discussions and post the summary for the module.
Evaluation of preparation and participation is based on contribution to discussions. Preparation and participation is evaluated by the following grading elements:
- Initial response (50%)
- Follow-up response(s) (critical thinking) (50%)
Grading Policy
Final grades will be determined by the following weighting:
Item | % of Grade |
Assignments | 50% |
Quizzes | 30% |
Discussion Participation | 20% |
Course Policies
Collaborative learning is encouraged, using the communication capabilities of Blackboard or by other methods. However, students are required to work independently on assignments and quizzes, without assistance from or consultation with others. If the Instructor has reason to suspect collaboration on assignments or examination, no credit will be given for the assignment or quiz. Furthermore, students must abide by the JHU plagiarism policy as described and elaborated on in the readings assigned prior to the course commencement.
Assignments and quizzes will be posted through Blackboard and students are expected to monitor the Blackboard course homepage regularly and complete these as instructed. Due dates will be posted in the calendar. Evaluation will be based on timely submission, completeness, and quality of contents.
It is expected that all assignments and quizzes will be submitted by the end of the Tuesday that is posted on the calendar. Late submissions of assignments and quizzes, without prior arrangement, will be penalized, generally by deducting 10% of the grade. Submissions of assignments or quizzes more than one week late will not be accepted. Exemptions may be granted by prior arrangement for exceptional circumstances.
Students are required to engage in a minimum of two relevant course interactions each week. These may include posting to discussion groups, email, or other communications visible to the Instructor. This requirement should be interpreted as two communications each week, not as an average of two per week. Some of these communications will be replies to questions posted by the Instructor on the message boards each week. All forms of class participation are expected to be relevant, thoughtful, and wherever possible to foster further discussion. These attributes will form the basis of the grades for class participation.
Academic Policies
Deadlines for Adding, Dropping and Withdrawing from Courses
Students may add a course up to one week after the start of the term for that particular course. Students may drop courses according to the drop deadlines outlined in the EP academic calendar (https://ep.jhu.edu/student-services/academic-calendar/). Between the 6th week of the class and prior to the final withdrawal deadline, a student may withdraw from a course with a W on their academic record. A record of the course will remain on the academic record with a W appearing in the grade column to indicate that the student registered and withdrew from the course.
Academic Misconduct Policy
All students are required to read, know, and comply with the Johns Hopkins University Krieger School of Arts and Sciences (KSAS) / Whiting School of Engineering (WSE) Procedures for Handling Allegations of Misconduct by Full-Time and Part-Time Graduate Students.
This policy prohibits academic misconduct, including but not limited to the following: cheating or facilitating cheating; plagiarism; reuse of assignments; unauthorized collaboration; alteration of graded assignments; and unfair competition. Course materials (old assignments, texts, or examinations, etc.) should not be shared unless authorized by the course instructor. Any questions related to this policy should be directed to EP’s academic integrity officer at ep-academic-integrity@jhu.edu.
Students with Disabilities - Accommodations and Accessibility
Johns Hopkins University values diversity and inclusion. We are committed to providing welcoming, equitable, and accessible educational experiences for all students. Students with disabilities (including those with psychological conditions, medical conditions and temporary disabilities) can request accommodations for this course by providing an Accommodation Letter issued by Student Disability Services (SDS). Please request accommodations for this course as early as possible to provide time for effective communication and arrangements.
For further information or to start the process of requesting accommodations, please contact Student Disability Services at Engineering for Professionals, ep-disability-svcs@jhu.edu.
Student Conduct Code
The fundamental purpose of the JHU regulation of student conduct is to promote and to protect the health, safety, welfare, property, and rights of all members of the University community as well as to promote the orderly operation of the University and to safeguard its property and facilities. As members of the University community, students accept certain responsibilities which support the educational mission and create an environment in which all students are afforded the same opportunity to succeed academically.
For a full description of the code please visit the following website: https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/policies-guidelines/student-code/
Classroom Climate
JHU is committed to creating a classroom environment that values the diversity of experiences and perspectives that all students bring. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. Fostering an inclusive climate is important. Research and experience show that students who interact with peers who are different from themselves learn new things and experience tangible educational outcomes. At no time in this learning process should someone be singled out or treated unequally on the basis of any seen or unseen part of their identity.
If you have concerns in this course about harassment, discrimination, or any unequal treatment, or if you seek accommodations or resources, please reach out to the course instructor directly. Reporting will never impact your course grade. You may also share concerns with your program chair, the Assistant Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, or the Office of Institutional Equity. In handling reports, people will protect your privacy as much as possible, but faculty and staff are required to officially report information for some cases (e.g. sexual harassment).
Course Auditing
When a student enrolls in an EP course with “audit” status, the student must reach an understanding with the instructor as to what is required to earn the “audit.” If the student does not meet those expectations, the instructor must notify the EP Registration Team [EP-Registration@exchange.johnshopkins.edu] in order for the student to be retroactively dropped or withdrawn from the course (depending on when the "audit" was requested and in accordance with EP registration deadlines). All lecture content will remain accessible to auditing students, but access to all other course material is left to the discretion of the instructor.