Sampling methodology in surface water hydrology, 3 credits

Contents

This course deals with sampling methods and basic analytical techniques used in the fields of Geoscience and Physical Geography with a focus on methods used in surface-water hydrology to determine, e.g., surface-water flow and discharge. The focus will be on study design and providing students with practical experience in collecting field data. In addition to sampling, the course includes a significant laboratory component. The course will also address data quality assurance, statistical processing of time series and spatial data, various approaches to visualize data, and the importance of documentation and data traceability (such as used in long-term research and national monitoring programs).

Expected learning outcomes

After successful completion of the course (Pass grade), a student shall be able to:
Expected outcome 1: plan and execute an investigation examining the surface-water hydrology in a watercourse
Expected outcome 2: evaluate and visualize data from an investigation of surface-water hydrology.

Required Knowledge

30 credits in Earth Science/Physical Geography or "Chemical Principles in Humans and the Environment 1" (7.5 credits), "Chemical Principles in Humans and the Environment 2" (7.5 credits), and "Ecology and Earth Science" (15 credits), or equivalent knowledge. English 6/B.

Form of instruction

The teaching is conducted as a combination of lectures and various student-active components, such as seminars, laboratory sessions, exercises, and excursions. All assessment components during the course are mandatory.

Examination modes

The examinations consist of a combination of oral and/or written assessments (e.g., examined seminars, oral presentations, written reports, mandatory excursions/fieldwork, and laboratory analyses). If a student fails to attend an examining (mandatory) practical component of the course, the only option is for the student to retake that component the next time the course is given. To be awarded the grade pass on a specific module the student needs to be approved on all examining parts of that module.

A student who has failed two tests for a course or a part of a course is entitled, unless special reasons speak against it, to have another examiner appointed after a written request to the head of department (HF chapter 6, 11b §).

Examiners may decide to deviate from the modes of assessment in the course syllabus. Individual adaption of modes of assessment must give due consideration to the student's needs. The adaption of modes of assessment must remain within the framework of the intended learning outcomes in the course syllabus. Students who require an adapted examination must submit a request to the department holding the course no later than 10 days before the examination. The examiner decides on the adaption of the examination, after which the student will be notified.

Credit Transfer
Students have the right to request that previous education or equivalent knowledge and skills acquired in professional practice be credited towards equivalent education at Umeå University. Applications for credit transfer are submitted to the Student Centre/Examinations Office. More information on credit transfer is available on the Umeå University student website and in the Higher Education Ordinance (6 chap.). A denial of a credit transfer application can be appealed (Higher Education Ordinance 12 chap.) to the Higher Education Appeals Board, regardless of whether the entire or part of the application is denied.

Other regulations

In the event that the syllabus ceases to apply or undergoes major changes, students are guaranteed at least three examinations (including the regular examination opportunity) according to the regulations in the syllabus that the student was originally registered on for a period of a maximum of two years from the time that the previous syllabus ceased to apply or that the course ended.

This course corresponds to Module 5 of the course Soil and Water 15 credits (5GV107) and cannot be included in the same degree as that course.