Mark W. Williams

Guggenheim 205

MWF 1-1:50

University of Colorado at Boulder

SYLLABUS: INTRODUCTION TO HYDROLOGY (Geog 3511)

Instructor: Mark Williams
Telephone: 492-8830 (INSTAAR)
Office Hours: MW 2 pm to 2:50 pm
Where: Buchanan Coffee Pub
E-mail: markw@snobear.colorado.edu
web site: http://snobear.colorado.edu/Markw/mark.html

Teaching Assistant

• Catalina Segura
• E-mail: seguraso@colorado.edu
  
• TA Office: Gugg 314
• Phone: 2-3684
• Office Hours: TU 10:00-10:50am, Thur 11:00-11:50am

This course is an introduction to hydrology, emphasizing surface processes and watershed responses. Hydrologic science has both basic and applied aspects. Basic or pure hydrology relates to questions about the role of water in natural processes, such as shaping the surface of the Earth. Applied hydrology relates to using scientific knowledge as the basis for making informed decisions concerning water allocation and protection of natural resources. In this course we will learn about both the pure and applied uses of hydrology, with a special emphasis on the interfaces between hydrology and other environmental sciences. The course is quantitative, with an emphasis on calculating how perturbations such as climate change and land use affect the hydrologic cycle. For example, we will calculate how clear-cutting does or does not change water yield using real field data.

The course is primarily lectures, supplemented with slides, videos, and other media. The emphasis of the course will be on material presented in class. Regular attendance is therefore suggested, since much of the material presented in class is not covered in the text or in supplemental material.

TEXT (required):

S.L. Dingman, Physical Hydrology, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 575 pp. Any version.

GRADING

Exams will emphasize understanding, quantitative analysis, and to a large extent the ability to apply knowledge in a new context. The exam format will consist of quantitative problems, short answer, and essay questions. Laboratory assignments are a large component of your grade; no credit will be given for late homework.

The final exam is scheduled for Monday, December 17th, 1:30pm- 4:00pm, same room

pdf file of 1998 midterm

pdf file of 1998 final

pdf file of 2001 second midterm

pdf file of 2001 final

LAB

A 2-hour lab session will be held each week. Attendance is mandatory and please be on time. Hydrologists use a variety of techniques that require skills in statistics, mathematics, remote sensing, cartography, computers, rafting, and skiing. The lab portion of this course is to give you a basic understanding of these skills and show you how to apply them to specific hydrologic problems.
Homework Instructions
Sample Homework
Lab Syllabus 2007

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

If you qualify for testing accommodations because of a disability, please submit to me a letter from Disability Services in a timely manner so that your needs may be addressed. Disability Services determines accommodations based on documented disabilities. (303-492-8671, Willard 322, www.Colorado.EDU/disabilityservices). Similarly, if you have problems with the field portion of the class, please contact me about accomodations unique to your personal situation.

STUDENTS WITH RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS

Please notify me of potential conflicts with religious schedules as early in the semester as possible so that there is adequate time to make necessary arrangements.

HONOR CODE

The University has recently adopted a student Honor Code. Information on the Honor Code can be found at http://www.colorado.edu/policies/honor.html and at http://www.colorado.edu/academics/honorcode/