Coastal Water Cycles and Continental Inputs to the Sea (250560) – 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, sediments and nutrients 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
To know and apply the lexicon and concepts of the Marine Sciences and Technologies and other related fields.
Establish a good practice in the integration of common numerical, laboratory and field techniques in the analysis of any problem related to the marine environment.
Address the most relevant processes and their interactions related to their physical / chemical / biological / geological components, applying technical and scientific knowledge and criteria.
To set, evaluate and propose solutions to the different conflicts of use and exploitation in the marine and coastal environment resources based on scientific and technical criteria.
Carry out environmental impact, management and protection studies of the marine environment and adjacent coastal areas, including the corresponding infrastructures and their related impacts.
Apply the necessary tools to analyze the economic and legal aspects of human actions and the related impacts on the marine environment, including technical advice and representation of companies and administrations.
Generic
Develop a professional activity in the field of Marine Sciences and Technologies.
Address in a comprehensive manner the analysis and preservation of the marine environment with sustainability criteria.
Apply state-of-the-art methods and techniques in oceanography and marine climate, jointly covering the physical, chemical, geological and biological aspects.
Develop a conceptual framework that links the scientific-technological and management aspects for marine resources, explaining the interactions with marine infrastructures and management plans in coastal areas.
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.
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 and the corresponding laboratory and/or computer lab grades. The continuous assessment consists of doing different activities, both individual and group, of an additive and formative nature, carried out during the course (inside and outside the classroom). Continuous assessment: -Class exercises and practice report: 20% -Partial exam: 30% (Without form, with calculator) -Final exam: 50%. The course mark is obtained as the weighted arithmetic average of the marks of the continuous assessment exercises (30% of tests in class and 20% of exercises and practical reports to be delivered) and of the final exam (50%). If you do not pass the continuous assessment, or if you do not attend any of the assessable activities, you will be able to take a revaluation exam which consists of a single exam that covers the entire content of the subject. This reassessment exam will allow you to obtain a final course grade that will be a maximum of 5. The course grade will be the maximum grade of the two possible grades (continuous assessment and reassessment exam).
Test Rules
If you do not carry out any of the practice or continuous assessment activities in the scheduled period, it will be considered as a zero score, and you will lose the right to have a grade for continuous assessment, but you will still have the possibility to access the reassessment exam.
Office Hours
The first day of class will be agreed
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.
- Sánchez San Román, F.J. Hidrología superficial y subterránea. Leipzig: F. Javier Sánchez San Román, 2017. ISBN 9781975606602.
- Martín Vide, J.P. Ingeniería de ríos. 2a ed. Barcelona: Edicions UPC, 2006. ISBN 9788483019009.
Complementary
- Wallace, J.M.; Hobbs, P.V. Atmospheric science: an introductory survey. 2nd ed. Burlington, Mass.: Elsevier Academic Press, 2006. ISBN 012732951X.