NIGK15027U Surface Hydrology
MSc Programme in Environmental Science
MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics
MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics with a minor
subject
The course adds on to fundamental understanding of surface hydrology and addresses interactions between hydrology and carbon cycle processes. The course’s focus is on measurements and estimation of precipitation, run off and evapotranspiration; we evaluate the most common methods for estimation of theses parameters and discuss the uncertainties associated with both measurement and modelling methods. Emphasis will be put in the understanding of transport of energy and water in the lower parts of the atmosphere, on how the surface energy balance controls the evapotranspiration from the surface, and on how ecosystem responses to drought and other drivers affect transpiration and ecosystem processes. Sensitivity to prevailing climatic parameters is discussed in relation to the water balance components and effects on surface hydrology of potential changes in climate and land-use effects are assessed.
Knowledge:
Students can expect to obtain advanced understanding of the components in the water balance of the surface, how these are affected by the prevailing climate, and how these interact with ecosystems. Learning will be obtained through working with measured and modelled data.
Skills:
- Ability to access and correct precipitation, run off and evapotranspiration in the Danish landscape.
- Understand the role of vegetation and soil properties in the transport of water and the exchange between vegetation, soil and atmosphere.
- Ability to address these processes with quantitative descriptions and ecosystem models
- Understand measurements techniques and uncertainties
Competences:
- Evaluate the sensitivity of climatic parameters on estimation of evapotranspiration, through the use of Penman –Monteith Ep model
- Fundamental understanding of environmental biophysics and biogeography
- Handle large datasets related to water balance and meteorological components
- Ability to structure a written assignments and present results related to surface hydrology.
Textbook and additional materials, please see Absalon course page for details.
- Category
- Hours
- Preparation
- 171
- Theory exercises
- 35
- Total
- 206
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Type of assessment
- Written assignment, during courseOral examination, 20 min
- Type of assessment details
- The written assignment is prepared during the course and must be handed in prior to the exam week. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure. It includes the titles listed in the officially approved reading list. A combined grade is given after the oral exam.
- Aid
- All aids allowed
- Marking scale
- 7-point grading scale
- Censorship form
- No external censorship
Several internal examiners.
- Re-exam
Re-submission of written assignment, 20 minutes oral examination. The written assignment must be handed in prior to the re-examination week. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure. It includes the titles listed in the officially approved reading list.
Criteria for exam assesment
Please see learning outcomes
Course information
- Language
- English
- Course code
- NIGK15027U
- Credit
- 7,5 ECTS
- Level
- Full Degree Master
- Duration
- 1 block
- Placement
- Block 3
- Schedule
- B
- Course capacity
- 25
The number of places might be reduced if you register in the late-registration period (BSc and MSc) or as a credit or single subject student.
Study board
- Study Board of Geosciences and Management
Contracting department
- Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management
Contracting faculty
- Faculty of Science
Course Coordinators
- Thomas Friborg (3-796b6f456e6c7333707a336970)
Lecturers
Thomas Friborg