Skip to main content
Unit outline_

CIVL3614: Hydrology

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The overall objective of this unit of study is to give a general introduction to water resources, how these are linked the hydrological processes, and how engineering plays a role in the management of water resources. The aim of this unit is to provide a detailed understanding of: the hydrologic cycle of water as a whole and its specific components including: geophysical flows of water throughout the environment, dynamics of precipitation formations, transformations into runoff, reservoir and lake dynamics, stream flow discharge, surface runoff assessment, calculation of peak flows, the hydrograph theory, ground water flows, aquifers dynamics, concept of water quality and water treatment methods and units. The topics mentioned above will be covered in both qualitative and quantitative aspects. Use will be made of essential concepts of energy, mass and momentum conservation. An intermediate level of integral and differential calculus is required as well as knowledge and use of calculation software such as Excel and Matlab.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
CIVL2611 and CIVL3612
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

(ENGG1802 OR CIVL1802) AND CIVL3612 AND MATH2061

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Federico Maggi, federico.maggi@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Federico Maggi, federico.maggi@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Liam Duncan, liam.duncan@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Supervised exam
? 
Final exam
Supervised exam, open book, conceptualization and calculations. No MCQs
70% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Tutorial quiz Mid-semester test (in class)
Supervised test, open book, conceptualization and calculations. MCQs.
30% Week 09
Due date: 25 Sep 2024 at 15:00

Closing date: 25 Sep 2024
2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

Assessment summary

In-semester test. Demonstrate ability to understand the proposed questions and make a conceptual representation of the problem. Demonstrate the capability to apply acquired knowledge and use calculations to propose a solution.

Final Exam. Demonstrate ability to understand the proposed questions and make a conceptual representation of the problem. Demonstrate the capability to apply acquired knowledge and use calculations to propose a solution. Be able to critically describe and report the hypotheses used and the methods applied. Be able to communicate your work effectively.

Detailed information can be found also in Canvas. 

If there is any change, updated information will be dispatched by the Lecturer/Coordinator in a timely manner via Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Failure to attend for any assessment will award zero marks unless special consideration is granted.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Global water resources Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO4 LO6
Week 02 Elements of statistics for hydrology Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO6 LO7
Week 03 Elements of meteorology Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 04 Precipitation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 05 Evaporation Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 06 Transpiration Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Infiltration Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 08 Surface hydrology Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Groundwater characteristics (soil hydraulic properties) Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 10 Groundwater hydrology (Darcy’s law and the Richards equation) Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 11 Groundwater dynamics (unconfined and confined aquifer dynamics) Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Week 12 Reservoir dynamics (physics and design) Lecture and tutorial (4 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Lectures and tutorials will be in presence. Tentative recording will be made. When available, these will be posted on Canvas.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  • Peavy, Rowe & Tchobanoglous, Environmental Engineering (1st ). McGraw-Hill, 1986. 0-07-049134-8.
  • Tchobanoglous and Schroeder, Water Quality. Addison-Wesley, 1985. 0-201-05433-7.
  • David Chin, Water Resources Engineering (2nd). Pearson, 2006. 0-13-230519-4.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. apply computational, analytical, and interpretative tools to typical hydrological cases
  • LO2. apply conservation and management principles to water resources and uses
  • LO3. understand and apply management principles to water supply, reuse, and disposal
  • LO4. understand multiple processes responsible for water movement throughout the environment
  • LO5. calculate the characteristic rate of various hydrological processes
  • LO6. understand modelling procedures for hydrological processes
  • LO7. analyse and interpret in a qualitative and quantitative manner hydrological aspects in environmental engineering
  • LO8. understand the governing equations of hydrological processes
  • LO9. understand the role of boundaries and initial conditions in solving equations of flow

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Learning outcomes and learning activities are mapped over the weekly schedule. The 13 week schedule has being reintroduced in 2021 after covid19 Post-covid In-class and remote teaching has been introduced in 2022. Teaching material have been updated regularly from student feedbacks

Work, health and safety

N/A

All lecture and tutorials will be in class. No online delivery will be provided.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.