| CODE | SPI2731 | ||||||||
| TITLE | Hydrology and Water Resources | ||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 02 - Years 2, 3 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 5 | ||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 4 | ||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Spatial Planning and Infrastructure | ||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This study-unit brings to the fore how fluids, in particular water, can exert certain forces which need to be taken into account in the design of structures. Moreover it is also destined to demonstrate the properties exhibited by fluids in motion in particular focusing on basic civil engineering structures such as pipes and channels. The Unit is also intended to introduced participants to basic hydrological concepts and water resource appreciation. Study-Unit Aims: The aim of this study-unit is to provide students with the knowledge of basic civil engineering hydraulics and how these may be applied in the built environment as well as in infrastructural design. It is also intended to provide an initial taster of basic hydrological and climatological principles as well as the appreciation of water as a resource. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Recognise the different components of the hydrological cycle and how these affect planning considerations and the built environment particularly in the Maltese Islands; - Identify the factors affecting the various parameters of the hydrological cycle; - Recognise how to measure the main hydrological parameters; - Identify the mechanics of rainfall-runoff relationships; - Identify the status of water resources in Malta notably losses from evaporation, groundwater and surface water; - Interpret the concepts behind water efficient buildings and urban spaces. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Analyse the impact of prevailing climatic conditions on hydrological parameters such as evaporation, precipitation, infiltration and surface runoff; - Design measures to enhance the manner in which freshwater may be conserved and limit its loss within the environment; - Construct rainfall-runoff relationships using the unit hydrograph method in order to calculate peak flows and runoff volumes; - Appraise the prevailing water resource problems in Malta with a view to determining how improved planning of the built environment may mitigate such issues; - Design more water efficient buildings. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - Linsley, R.K., Kohler, M.A., Paulhus, J.L.H. 1975. Hydrology for Engineers, 2nd ed. New York: McGraw-Hill. - Shaw, E.M. 1994. Hydrology in Practice, 3rd ed. London: Chapman & Hall. - Sustainable Energy and Water Conservation Unit & Environment and Resources Authority. 2015. The 2nd Water Catchment Management Plan for the Malta Water Catchment District 2015 - 2021. Available online: https://era.org.mt/en/Pages/Water-Catchment-Management-Plan.aspx - Wilson, E.M. 1990. Engineering Hydrology, 4th ed. London: Macmillan. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture | ||||||||
| METHOD OF ASSESSMENT |
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| LECTURER/S | Kevin Gatt |
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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