Course Offerings

Brief descriptions of the graduate-level courses in hydrogeology are described below.

GEO 587 Hydrogeology

Topics covered in this course include the properties of water, the hydrologic cycle, subsurface hydraulics, principles of groundwater flow, field methods and analysis techniques used to collect and reduce field data, chemistry of groundwater and an introduction to groundwater modeling. The theoretical aspects of these topics are covered in lectures but are balanced by demonstrating their relevance in practical applications. Laboratories commence with a review of basic mathematical concepts and computer skills (use of excel spreadsheets, basic graphing routines) commonly needed in the groundwater industry. This will be followed by one or two labs which use Darcy tubes to re-create Darcy's experiment and allow students to explore the relationships among porosity, specific yield, hydraulic gradient, discharge and hydraulic conductivity. Remaining labs include classifying soils in the field from split spoon samples, learning to make head measurements and construct groundwater maps, gaging streams, performing slug tests, step tests, and pumping tests, and interpreting the results of water quality testing. The course culminates with a month long project where students reduce field data collected from subsurface borings, geophysical investigations and pumping tests and use this information to evaluate aquifer parameters, boundary effects, and recharge pathways. This is followed by a Zone II analysis of the aquifer. Prerequisites are Introductory Geology, Calculus and differential equations recommended but not necessary.

GEO 687 Advanced Hydrogeology

This course covers advanced topics in groundwater hydrology and contaminant hydrogeology. It focuses on the application of field techniques, analysis of field data and use of analytical and numerical models in the investigation of groundwater problems. Emphasis of topics may change from year to year. The course also introduces students to groundwater modeling using Visual MODFLOW and includes the development of conceptual models from geologic data, laying out grids, handling boundaries, sources and sinks, transience, calibration and sensitivity. Students are expected to conduct their own groundwater modeling project. Prerequisites are an Introductory Hydrogeology course and training in geology.

GEO 787 Hydrogeology Seminar

The intent of this seminar is to familiarize students with current topics in the field. Examples of topics that could be discussed include: 1) instruments and protocols for environmental soil and water sampling; 2) use of groundwater chemistry to understand groundwater flow systems; 3) recent advances in analytical and numerical modeling; 4) use of isotopes in hydrogeology; 5) field techniques for assessing fluid flow characteristics in fractured rock; 6) new advances in non-invasive and borehole geophysical methods; 7) application of probability and geostatistics to environmental decision making; 8) new technologies in environmental monitoring and remediation. Students will read selected papers and each week one or two students will present a summary of the research. This will be followed by an open discussion. Papers will be drawn from Ground Water, Water Resources Research, Journal of Hydrology, Hydrogeology Journal, Ground Water Monitoring and Remediation, among others.

In addition to these courses, it is expected that students will take other courses within the department or from other departments to round out their hydrogeologic training. Additional courses include General Geophysics, Environmental Geophysics, Aqueous and Environmental Geochemistry, Glacial Geology, Soil Chemistry, Soil Physics, Soils Classification, Site Assessment, the 40-hour OSHA training course, statistics, and mathematics

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