Syllabus 2008/2009 VVR111

Syllabus academic year 2008/2009
(Created 2008-07-17.)

HYDROLOGY AND AQUATIC ECOLOGY

VVR111

Higher education credits: 15. Grading scale: TH. Level: G1 (First level). Language of instruction: The course will be given in English. Compulsory for: W1. Course coordinator: Ronny Berndtsson Water resources engineering,, ronny.berndtsson@tvrl.lth.se och Lars-Anders Hansson Limnology, lars-anders.hansson@limnol.lu.se, Teknisk vattenresurslära. Recommended prerequisits: Knowledge in mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology corresponding to college level. Selection criteria: See general information on LTH home page. Assessment: Each sub course (1 and 2) is examinated and graded individually. Sub course 1 is graded by the compulsory written exam at the end of period 1. Sub course 2 is graded partly by the project work and partly by continuous examination throughout the entire course. The weighted total grade (3, 4, or 5) is based on examination, project work and, the continuous examination. To pass the course, passed examination, passed written and oral presentations from excursions and project work are required. Parts: 2. Home page: http://aqua.tvrl.lth.se.

Aim
The objective of the course is to display connection between hydrological and ecological processes as influenced by humans. The students should after the course have a basic knowledge in solving water environmental problems using hydrology and aquatic ecology. The students should also have an insight in to the relationships between biological and physical processes in water-based ecosystems. Special emphasis is given to ability to work and communicate in groups and a critical viewpoint.

Knowledge and understanding
For a passing grade the student must

be able to explain and use basic concepts such as water balances, runoff, soil and groundwater, and physical and chemical characteristics for surface water systems
be able to describe photo synthesis and basic nutrient turnover for organisms in surface water and how water and nutrients/pollutants are transported in the environment

Skills and abilities
For a passing grade the student must

be able to solve a typical water environmental problem by using hydrology and aquatic ecology
communicate the solution of the above problem orally and in a written report for different stake holder groups

Judgement and approach
For a passing grade the student must

be able to critically evaluate solutions for typical water environmental problems from a scientific and societal viewpoint
evaluate solutions for typical water environmental problems from an ethical and a sustainable viewpoint

Contents
Some of the main topics are: water resources, the hydrological cycle and processes, lakes and running water, ecological concepts, nutrient cycles, human impact. The course contents strives to give a holistic view on the water environment: water resources and water circulation (hydrological processes: precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, soil and groundwater and runoff) and also the circulation of nutrients, food webs, water chemistry, species knowledge (ecological relationship between organisms and the aquatic environment). Fundamentally, the course (period 1 and 2) is divided in to three blocks; 1) Physical/chemical mechanisms, 2) Organisms, and 3) Restoration. Block 1) och 2) are treated mainly during period 1 and block 3) during period 2

Literature
Brönmark, C. and L-A. Hansson, The biology of lakes, Oxford University Press, 2nd Edit. 2005, ISBN 0198516126.
Berndtsson, R., Hydrology for environmental engineers, KF Sigma, 2006.
Berndtsson, R. and L-A. Hansson, Project work: Riseberga river, KF Sigma, 2006.
Reistad, N., Börja med Matlab, 2002.

Parts

Code: 0102. Name: Part 1.
Higher education credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: Written examination and oral and written presentation of field work. Contents: Water circulation, human influence, and ecology. Further information: Examination at the end of period 1.

Code: 0202. Name: Part 2.
Higher education credits: 7,5. Grading scale: TH. Assessment: Written and oral presentation of project work. Contents: See central information. Further information: Oral and written presentation of project work at the end of period 2.