Course Description
This Earth Environments course explores hydrology, the scientific study of earth’s water resources. Students will be introduced to the physical and chemical properties of water and the processes responsible for its occurrence, distribution and cycling, with emphasis on the terrestrial phase of the hydrologic cycle. Field and lab work will involve measurement techniques and the analysis of hydrologic data. Emphasis will be placed on Canadian and western North American water resources and their management, including the impacts of urbanization and climate change.
Learning Activities
The course will employ a variety of instructional methods to accomplish its objectives, including some of the following: lecture, labs, field work, analysis and interpretation of hydrologic data, slides, videos, individual and/or team projects and small group discussions. Readings will be assigned to supplement the text book and the lectures.
Means of Assessment
Assessment will be based on course objectives and will be carried out in accordance with the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. The instructor will provide a written course outline with specific evaluation criteria during the first week of classes.
- Laboratory assignments: 10-50%
- Labratory exams: 30-50%
- Exams: 25-50%.
- Field work: 10-25%.
- Term project: 10-25%.
An example of a possible evaluation scheme would be:
| Laboratory Assignments |
30% |
| Midterm Examination |
25% |
| Final Examination |
25% |
| Term Project |
20% |
| Total |
100% |
Learning Outcomes
At the conclusion of the course, the successful student will be able to:
- Describe and explain the hydrologic cycle and the variety of processes involved within it.
- Describe and use maps and air photographs to identify and illustrate the variety of landforms involved in the terrestrial stage of the hydrologic cycle.
- Be able to utilize, through lab and field work, routine methods for measuring hydrologic flow and storage.
- Have used, through map and field work, some methods of analyzing hydrological data.
- Describe the extent of Canada’s water resources.
- Evaluate the human impact on stream systems and implications for water resource management.
Textbook Materials
Texts will be updated periodically. Typical examples are:
- Davie, T. and Quinn, N.W. (2019) Fundamentals of Hydrology (3rd ed.). London: Routledge.
- Dingman, S.L. (2015) Physical Hydrology (3rd ed.). Waveland press.
- Shelton, M.L. (2018) Hydroclimatology: Perspectives and Applications. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press
- Viessman, W. and Lewis, G.L. (2003) Introduction to Hydrology (5th ed.). New York: Harper Collins.