Belgium Study Abroad Program

Biological and Agricultural Engineering Department

Texas A&M University

 

BAEN 460: Principles in Environmental Hydrology

Course Description and Policies

July 9 to August 14, 2008

 

Professor:       Dr. Clyde Munster                                           

Email:             c-munster@tamu.edu                                                               

WWW:            http://www.baen.tamu.edu/users/munster                      

           

 

Class Hours

Lecture:

Tuesday and Wednesday

8:30 – 10:00

 

Problem Session:

Tuesday and Wednesday

13:30 – 15:00 (1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.)

 

(4) Field Trips:

July 11 / July 19 / July 26 / August 2

 

Catalog Description

The hydrologic cycle; precipitation, infiltration, percolation and groundwater, runoff and streamflow, surface water, evaporation and transpiration; mechanics of erosion; energy balance, radiation, temperature, wind and humidity; measurements and analysis of hydrologic data for engineering design.

 

Course Objectives

The overall objective of this course is to understand the fundamental scientific principles associated with the hydrologic cycle. These fundamental scientific principles will be used to design soil and water engineering structures. A special emphasis will be placed on comparing U.S. and European field methods to quantify the hydrologic processes that include rainfall, runoff, infiltration, evapotranspiration, ground water flow, stream flow and erosion in the field. In addition, European watershed management techniques will also be compared with U.S. management procedures.

 

Textbook

Ward, A. D. and S. W. Trimble. 2004. Environmental Hydrology (2’nd edition). Lewis Publishers.

 

Grades

Questions on the tests will be on lecture material, reading assignments, field trip experiences, seminar presentations and homework problems. Letter grades will be based on the weighted average specified below and assigned as follows:

 

Grading                                                                                   Grading Scale

2 tests 40%                                                                              90 - 100     A

Homework 20%                                                                       80 - 89        B

Field trip reports 30%                                                               70 - 79       C

Seminar reports 10%                                                                60 - 69       D

                                                                                                Below 60   F

 

Attendance

            All students are expected to attend all class sessions and field trips. Failure to attend classes and field trips, unless approved in advance, will significantly lower      your final grade.

 

Homework                                                                                                     

All assignments must be presented in a neat, professional manner. A word processor will be required for all written assignments. Some assignments will require the use of computer spreadsheets and computer graphics. Sample calculations will be required for all computer solutions. All homework assignments are due at the end of the class period on the due date. A maximum of half credit will be given for late homework. Homework not turned in will receive a grade of zero.

           

Field Trip and Seminar Reports

All field trip and seminar reports must be typewritten. Field trip and seminar report guidelines will be provided. Field trip and seminar reports will be due on the next day of class.

 

Scholastic Honesty

Aggies do not lie, cheat or steal nor do they tolerate those who do.

 

Additional Accommodations

If any student in this class requires accommodation related to a unique circumstance, please make an appointment to see me as soon as possible. Appropriate arrangements will be made.

 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Policy Statement:

The Americans with Disabilities Act is a federal anti-discrimination statute that provides comprehensive civil rights protection for persons with disabilities. Among other things, this legislation requires that all students with disabilities be guaranteed a learning environment that provides for reasonable accommodation of their disabilities. If you believe you have a disability requiring an accommodation, please contact the instructor as soon as possible.

 

Lecture Schedule

 

LECTURE  SUBJECT                                                                                         READING                             PROBLEMS

 

1                              Introductions / Hydrologic Cycle     / Precipitation                      Chapter 1                               HW #1, 2, 3

 

2                              Rainfall Measurement / Thiessen Method / Probability                                Chapter 2                               HW #4, 5, 6

 

3                              Evapotranspiration / Pan Evaporation                                             Chapter 4                               HW #19

 

4                              Hydrographs / SCS Curve Number Method                                    Chapter 5                               HW #7, 8

 

5                              Rational Method                                                                                  Chapter 5                               HW #9

 

6                              Unit Hydrographs / Triangular Hydrographs                                 Chapter 5                               HW #10, 11

 

7                              Erosion / USLE Equation / Sediment Yield                                      Chapter 9                               HW #12, 13

 

8                              Open Channel Flow                                                                             Chapter 6                               HW #14

 

9                              Hydrogeology / Aquifers / Water Quality                                       Chapter 11                             HW #15, 16

                   

10                            Water Quality Measurements / Nitrogen                                         Chapter 12                             HW #17, 18