Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya · BarcelonaTech

Statistical Methods in Hydrology (250822) – Course 2025/26 PDF

Syllabus

Learning Objectives

To conceive soils and rocks as porous media governed by Solid and Fluid Mechanics. To characterize the geological environment and its interaction with civil works. To interpret laboratory tests and field observations so as to identify the mechanisms responsible for soil response. To propose testing programmes. To formulate and implement Finite Element and Finite Differences numerical models with the objective to analyze the processes that govern ground response, to interpret field information and to predict soil response. To analyze, discriminate and integrate geological and geotechnical information in studies and projects. To calculate, evaluate, plan and regulate surface and groundwater resources.(Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology). To model, assess and manage geological resources, including mineral and thermal groundwater. (Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology). * To manipulate the theoretical concepts of multiphase flow, heat flow and reactive transportation. * To manipulate the theoretical concepts in geo-statistics. * To analyze the stochastic data in hydrology and hydrogeology. * To analyze the flow and reactive transportation processes in aquifers. * To calculate the groundwater balance. * To carry out practical aquifer reloading calculations. * To apply hydrogeochemical and isotopic techniques to the study of aquifer reloading. * To suggest general studies in groundwater hydrology. - Geostatistics fundamentals - Theory of regionalized variable. - Variogram. - Structural analysis. - Theory of local Kriging estimation. - Montecarlo method. - Simulation of regionalized variables. - Introduction to stochastic hydrogeology. Multiple regression. Analysis of the principal components. Introductory course to the basic techniques of statistical analysis that are used Hydrology. Given that our experience shows that students have the basic concepts acquired mainly at the theoretical level, the course reviews the most important data analysis techniques and focuses on the realization of exercises and application practices to real data. The purpose being to acquire the ability to apply these techniques of spatial and temporal data analysis to real cases. Generic objectives: Learn to handle basic statistical analysis techniques commonly used in applying them to real data in exercises on real problems Hydrology.

Competencies

Especific

To calculate, evaluate, plan and regulate surface and groundwater resources.(Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology).

To model, assess and manage geological resources, including mineral and thermal groundwater. (Specific competence of the specialization in Groundwater Hydrology).

Generic

To apply advanced knowledge in sciences and technology to the profesional or research practice.

To lead, coordinate and develop integrated projects in Geo-Engineering.

To identify and design solutions for geo-engineering problems within ethical, social and legislative frameworks.

To evaluate the impact of Geo-engineering on environment, sustainable social development and the significance of working within reliable and consciensous profesional environment.

To incorporate new techncologies and advanced tools in Geo-engineering into profesional and research activities.

To conceive Geo-engineering as a multi-disciplinary field that includes relevant aspects from geology, sismology, hydrogeology, geotechnical and earthquake engineering, geomechanics, physics of porous media, geophysics, geomatics, natural hazard, energy and climate interactions.

To promote innovation for the development of methodology, analyses and solutions in Geo-engineering

To tackle and solve advanced mathematical problems in engineering from the drafting of the problem to the development of formulation and further implementation in computer programs. Particularly, to formulate, code and apply analytical and numerical advanced computational tools to project calculations in order to plan and manage them as well as to interpret results in the context of Geo-engineering and Mining engineering.

Total hours of student work

Hours Percentage
Supervised Learning Large group 25.5h 56.67 %
Medium group 9.8h 21.67 %
Laboratory classes 9.8h 21.67 %
Self Study 80h

Teaching Methodology

The subject consists of 3 hours of class per week. The proportion Theory and problems is variable for each session with a final percentage of 55% of Theory and 45% of problems. In addition there is a 3 hour session of follow-up and resolution of doubts, and a session of 3h of evaluation. As a fundamental activity for the evaluation, a personal work of understanding, application and discussion of an analysis of data from a real case is requested. This work will be the subject of an oral presentation that will be evaluated by the teachers. 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.d'aprenentatge dirigit i bibliography.

Grading Rules

The evaluation calendar and grading rules will be approved before the start of the course.

he qualification of the subject is distributed in 10% of follow-up activities throughout the course 60% of the personal work presented orally and 30% of the written exam.

Test Rules

If one of the activities of continuous evaluation is not carried out in the programmed period, it will be considered not evaluated.

Bibliography

Basic