Atmospheric Processes and Hydrology (2500217) – Course 2025/26 PDF
Syllabus
Learning Objectives
The primary objective of this course is to introduce the fundamental aspects of meteorology, climate and hydrology necessary to understand the processes of the hydrological cycle, with a particular emphasis on key hydrometeorological processes involved in the interactions between the atmosphere and oceans, the atmosphere and hydrosphere, and between the river systems-aquifers-coastal zones. The course starts describing and quantifying the processes of the atmospheric hydrological cycle, including the ocean-atmosphere interaction, atmospheric transport, atmospheric instability and precipitation generation. Then, the description and quantification of the processes of the continental hydrological cycle, with particular emphasis on those of generation of runoff and transport in both fluvial systems, saturated and unsaturated media. Finally, the relation of these transport phenomena with the contributions of freshwater and sediments to the sea. The specific objectives are: 1.- Understand the main phenomena of the hydrological cycle, the main associated physical processes, as well as their quantification through mathematical modelling. 2.- Acquire the necessary knowledge to be able to interpret the maps and products provided by observations and meteorological models forecasts usually available. In particular to be able to interpret various meteorological situations and their relationship with the precipitation and wave generation. 3.- Acquire the skills to perform basic hydrological quantification studies in a watershed, including the quantification of the rainfall associated to a certain probability threshold, the characterization of the associated hydrograph and the flow to and in the saturated area. Emphasis will be given to understanding the notion of risk, with application to the management of water resources, the understanding of the phenomenon of droughts, floods and to the implications on the quality of the resource. 4.- Understand the transport phenomena that occur in the atmosphere, aquifers and rivers and their interaction with the coastal zone. The focus of the course is to provide not only a basic description of these processes, but also the methods to estimate the key variables in the hydrological cycle.
Competencies
Especific
Recognize the biological bases and foundations of the plant and animal field in engineering: notions of genetics, biochemistry and metabolism, physiology, organisms and environment, population dynamics, flows of matter and energy and changes in ecosystems, biodiversity, principles of the kinetics of microbial growth and reactor theory.
Obtain basic knowledge about the use and programming of computers, operating systems, databases and basic numerical calculation and applied to engineering.
Apply the fundamental concepts of statistics and randomness of physical, social and economic phenomena, as well as uncertainty and decision-making techniques.
Enhance the capacity of spatial vision and identify the techniques of graphic representation, topography, photogrammetry, cartography, remote sensing and Geographic Information systems.
Describe and apply the techniques of analysis of physical, chemical and biological parameters; Integrate the experimental evidence found in field and / or laboratory data with the theoretical knowledge and interpret its results.
Formulate the principles of fluid mechanics and the fundamentals of continuous medium mechanics.
Identify the concepts and technical aspects linked to the conduit systems, both in pressure and in free sheet and apply them to the water supply transport networks; pumping systems; unit networks; separative networks; Avenues prevention systems in urban areas and analysis of tools for the recovery of altered river and coastal spaces.
Describe the processes linked to the water cycle: atmospheric circulation and rain formation; rain transformation into runoff; and apply them to surface and underground hydrology associated with avenues risk, surface water pollution, aquifer management and groundwater pollution.
Generic
Identify, formulate and solve problems related to environmental engineering.
Apply the functions of consulting, analysis, design, calculation, project, construction, maintenance, conservation and exploitation of any action in the territory in the field of environmental engineering.
To use in any action in the territory proven methods and accredited technologies, in order to achieve the greatest efficiency respect for the environment and the protection of the safety and health of workers and users.
Total hours of student work
| Hours | Percentage | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervised Learning | Large group | 45h | 75.00 % | |
| Medium group | 15h | 25.00 % | ||
| Self Study | 90h | |||
Teaching Methodology
The subject consists of 4 hours per week of face-to-face classes in the classroom. They are devoted to theoretical classes 2 hours in which the teacher exposes the concepts and basic materials of the subject, presents examples and carries out exercises. They dedicate 2 hours to the resolution of problems with a greater interaction with the student. Practical exercises are carried out in order to consolidate the general and specific learning objectives. There are two works to be done using computers in groups of two students. The sessions devoted to these works will be done in smaller subgroups. Support material is used in the format of a detailed teaching plan through the ATENEA virtual campus: contents, programming of assessment activities and directed learning and bibliography. Although most of the sessions will be given in the language indicated, sessions supported by other occasional guest experts may be held in other languages.
Grading Rules
The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.
The subject's grade is obtained from the continuous assessment grades of the two parts in which it is composed. Each has a partial exam and an evaluable assignment or practice, in addition to class exercises. The exams are not cumulative in the subject. The course grade is obtained as the average of the following activities: -First partial exam 40% -Class exercises and report on meteorological model practices: 10% -Second partial exam: 30% -Hydrology practices: 10% - Hydrology work: 10% If you do not pass the continuous assessment, or if you do not attend any of the assessable activities, you may take a revaluation exam in which the weight of each of them will be 50%.
Office Hours
Friday from 16 to 20, or at agreed hours
Bibliography
Basic
- Lutgens, F.K.; Tarbuck, E.J.; Tasa, D.G. The atmosphere: an introduction to meteorology. 12th ed. Harlow: Pearson Education Limited, 2014. ISBN 9781292054216.
- Stull, R. Practical meteorology: an algebra-based survey of atmospheric science. Vancouver: University of British Columbia, 2015. ISBN 9780888651761.
- Nanía Escobar, L.S.; Gómez Valentín, M. Ingeniería hidrológica. 2a ed. Granada: Grupo Editorial Universitario, 2006. ISBN 8484916367.
- Sánchez San Román, F.J. Hidrología superficial y subterránea. Leipzig: F. Javier Sánchez San Román, 2017. ISBN 9781975606602.
Complementary
- Maidment, D. Handbook of hydrology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1993. ISBN 0070397325.
- Viessman, W. Introduction to hydrology. 5th ed. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2003. ISBN 067399337X.
- Shaw, E.M. Hydrology in practice. 4th ed. Londres: Spon Press, 2011. ISBN 9780415370424.
- Davie, T. Fundamentals of hydrology. 3rd ed. London: Routledge, [2019]. ISBN 9780415858700.
- Bedient, P.B.; Huber, W.C.; Vieux, B.E. Hydrology and floodplain analysis. 4th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Prentice Hall, 2008. ISBN 9780131745896.
- Subramanya, K. Engineering hydrology. 4a ed. New Delhi: McGraw Hill, 2013. ISBN 9789383286539.
- Chow,, V.T.; Maidment, D.R.; Mays, L.W. Applied hydrology. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1988. ISBN 0070108102.