Course

INTRODUCTION TO HYDROLOGY

Important Notice

This course is not active. Please contact Department Chair for more information.

Course code
GEOG 2321
Credits
3.00
Semester length
15
Max class size
35
Typically offered
To be determined

Overview

Course description
This course involves the study of hydrologic cycle, its dynamics and component parts, but with emphasis on the terrestrial phase. Field and lab work will involve measurement techniques and the analysis of hydrologic data. Emphasis will also be placed on a description of Canada’s water resources and their management.
Course content

The definition and scope of hydrology

The hydrologic cycle

Global and regional water balances

Precipitation – regional variations, mechanisms, measurement

Interception, infiltration

Evaporation, evapotranspiration

Snow and ice

Soil moisture

Groundwater

Run off – stream flow, basins, watershed models

Surface water storage

Inventory of Canadian water resources

Water quality, water management

Learning activities

Lectures, in class and in the field, will constitute the main method of presentation, with class projects and class and field laboratory assignments incorporated.

Films and slides will be used where appropriate.

Readings will be assigned to supplement the text book and the lectures.

An “open lab period” will be scheduled as needed.

Means of assessment

Essay                                                                                    15%

Research project involving field work and lab analysis                  20%

Lab exercises                                                                         40%

Final examination                                                                   25%

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course the student will

-          have become familiar with the hydrologic cycle and the variety of processes involved within it.

-          be able to describe and to use maps and air photographs to identify and illustrate the variety of landforms involved in the terrestrial stage of the cycle.

-          be able to utilize, through lab and field work, the routine methods for measuring hydrologic flow and storage.

-          have used, through map and field work, some methods of analyzing hydrological data.

-          be aware of the extent of Canada’s water resources and aspects of their management.

Textbook materials

Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students

 Ward, R.C.    Principles of Hydrology, 2nd Edition, McGraw Hill, London, 1975.

Requisites

Prerequisites

GEOG/GEOL 1120, GEOG 1110

Corequisites

No corequisite courses.

Equivalencies

No equivalent courses.

Course Guidelines

Course Guidelines for previous years are viewable by selecting the version desired. If you took this course and do not see a listing for the starting semester / year of the course, consider the previous version as the applicable version.

(Current)

Course Transfers

These are for current course guidelines only. For a full list of archived courses please see https://www.bctransferguide.ca

Institution Transfer details for GEOG 2321
There are no applicable transfer credits for this course.

Course Offerings

Winter 2025