Course Details in 2026/27 Session

Module Title	LH Solving Groundwater Problems
School	School of Geog Earth & Env Sci
Department	Earth and Environ Sciences
Module Code	03 40152
Module Lead	John Tellam
Level	Honours Level
Credits	20
Semester	Semester 1
Pre-requisites
Co-requisites
Restrictions	None
Contact Hours	Lecture-32 hours Seminar-6 hours Practical Classes and workshops-16 hours Supervised time in studio/workshop-4 hours Fieldwork-2 hours External Visits-2 hours Guided independent study-138 hours Total: 200 hours
Exclusions
Description	Hydrogeology is the study of groundwater. Groundwater is any liquid water that exists below ground surface. It comprises 99% of all liquid fresh water on Earth at any one time. Groundwater is important in many fields, including (e.g. https://www.unesco.org/reports/wwdr/2022/en): water resources (discovery, development, management, sustainability, climate change, droughts, protection, pollution remediation; for agriculture, industry, public water supply, humanitarian support, ecosystem support) waste management (landfills, sewer discharges, nuclear waste disposal, contaminated land) engineering (shear strength, dewatering, consolidation, dissolution, corrosion; in context of slopes, foundations, dams, tunnels, other underground excavations, water inflow control, water uplift) geoenergy (C storage, energy storage, ground source heating and cooling, geothermal) mining (water control, water supply, geotechnical stability, mineralisation, supply of 'new' materials) geology (diagenesis, metamorphism, tectonics, ice movement, taphonomy, volcanic systems, hazards) drainage (flood relief, urban flooding, agricultural drainage, sea level rise). Groundwater specialists, usually educated to MSc level, are therefore greatly in demand. The module will introduce the principles of groundwater flow and quality, building on your existing geoscience / environmental science knowledge. Using these principles, you will be guided into developing conceptual models, the basis on which practical solutions are developed. The module concentrates on solving problems in the context of contamination, and will introduce you to qualitative, analytical, and computer modelling techniques.
Learning Outcomes	By the end of the module students should be able to: Determine groundwater flow rates and velocities Determine likely groundwater chemical compositions Use standard calculation and computer modelling approaches Solve a range of real-world groundwater problems
Assessment
Assessment Methods & Exceptions	Assessment: assessed exercise on conceptual model building for a given area: 30% 15-slide Powerpoint report assessed exercise using industry software: 30% completed proforma comprising notes and diagrams 24 hour online exam (equivalent to 1 hour written exam): 40% Reassessment: Submission of failed components coursework on appropriately different location appropriately modified proforma for modelling work Resit examination.
Other
Reading List