Hydrology and Water Resources

Structure & contents

This specialization consists of 14 modules covering a total of 12 months, this is followed by a 6-month research and thesis phase. Graduates of the programme will be awarded 106 ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System) credits.

• October - April

  UNESCO-IHE, Delft, The Netherlands
  • Week 1 + Introduction to Water Science and Engineering Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. 1 Discuss and explain the relevant issues of the global agenda for water and sustainable development; understand the field of water science and engineering, identify its different specialisations and understand the structure of the programme at UNESCO-IHE;
    2. 2 Reviewing, understanding, and applying: a) Mathematical concepts and techniques relevant to water science and engineering; b) Statistical and frequency analysis concepts and techniques that are relevant to water science and engineering;
    3. 3 Understand processes at the surface of the Earth that form and sculpt landscapes. Geologic processes comprise sedimentation compaction, tectonic uplifts and subsidence, and act on a long time scale. Geomorphologic processes comprise the action of water, wind, ice, fire, and living things on the surface of the Earth, along with chemical reactions that form soils and alter material properties. Geomorpological processes act on an intermediate time scale. Furthermore, in the very recent past during the anthropocene, humans have profoundly altered the landscape. Human induced processes are relatively short term, and occur rapidly. Many of these factors are strongly mediated by climate. What is the role of water as an agent of change, and how do water systems respond to these various driving forces?
  • Hydrology and Hydraulics Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Describe the main concepts of steady/unsteady and uniform/non-uniform flow.
    2. Understand and describe the principles and basic equations of water flow and to apply them to various practical situations.
    3. Carry out basic measurements in the wave and current flumes at the hydraulic laboratory.
    4. Understand, describe and apply the concepts of hydrology needed for their specialisation.
    5. Understand the concepts of Geographical Information Systems and apply them in practical examples relevant to their specialization.
    6. Understand the main techniques of remote sensing and know when their use is appropriate or inappropriate.
  • Hydrogeology Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. understand groundwater occurrences, aquifer classification and aquifer properties in various geological settings;
    2. understand the concepts related to groundwater storage, recharge and discharge;
    3. understand steady state and transient groundwater flow processes and their physical description;
    4. the ability to apply analytical solutions to solve steady state and transient groundwater problems;
    5. determine groundwater balances and to carry out pumping test analyses.
  • Surface Hydrology Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Explain the global hydrological cycle and water budget, the global energy budget, and the relation between, hydrology, climate, soils and vegetation.
    2. Explain the surface hydrological processes related to evapotranspiration, soil water movement and rainfall-runoff dynamics, and the concepts and theories that describe the physics of these processes.
    3. Independently apply the understanding with analytical methods and conceptual models to quantitatively assess the surface hydrology for situations at catchment scales.
  • Water Quality Required
    Learning Objectives

    1. Apply basic chemical principles and determine reactions that play a role in the determination and evolution of water quality;
    2. Determine the various (contaminant) transport mechanisms taking place in (sub)surface hydrology;
    3. Apply appropriate methods to monitor, analyze and assess the water quality characteristics of hydrological systems.
  • Tracer Hydrology and Flow Systems Analysis Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. apply knowledge of the concepts of tracer hydrology, with emphasis on environmental isotopes.
    2. apply knowledge of the concept of hydrochemical facies analysis.
    3. independently use these methodologies to quantitatively assess characteristics of hydrological flow systems.
    4. carry out comprehensive hydrological flow systems analyses in surface water and groundwater systems in different hydro-climatic regions and geological conditions.
  • Hydrological Data Collection and Processing Elective
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Comprehend the need for hydrological data and information, and the roles and functions of National Hydrological Services.
    2. Comprehend the activities involved in water resources-related data collection, processing, storage and retrieval.
    3. Explain the principles and concepts used in hydrological observing networks and routine data collection.
    4. Apply standard methods for processing and analyzing hydrological data to prepare water resources information.
    5. Apply hands-on experience with collecting, processing and comparative analysis of hydrometeorological station data.
  • Groundwater Data Collection and Interpretation Elective
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. understand and interpret hydro(geo)logical time series and spatial data
    2. understand the underlying principles of methods applied to groundwater exploration and monitoring;
    3. plan a groundwater investigation programme and to interpret the results of such a programme;
    4. learn methods and procedures used in groundwater monitoring;
    5. design a groundwater monitoring network and to assess the required measurement frequencies.
  • Integrated Hydrological and River Modelling Elective
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Understand and describe the structure of physically-based hydrological models and the methods used by these models to simulate the behaviour of distinct hydrological phenomena;
    2. Distinguise components of hydrological modelling software for hydrodynamic simulation, catchment process simulation and surface water quality simulation;
    3. Translate a given hydrological problem into a model definition using available data;
    4. Conduct a model calibration/validation procedure and to interpret the simulation results to assess model performance and to suggest improvement in the model set-up; and
    5. Independently carry out a hydrological modelling study and to report the results.
  • Groundwater in Adaptation to Global Change Impacts Elective
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. assess the impacts of present and future global water consuming and contaminating activities on groundwater resources
    2. analyze the occurrence, benefits and challenges of managed aquifer recharge as a tool for climate change adaptation;
    3. carry out a feasibility study for the implementation of a managed aquifer recharge project
    4. explain feedback mechanisms between groundwater, irrigation agriculture and socio-economics in water stressed regions;
    5. use modeling tools for optimal management of coupled groundwater-agricultural systems
    6. define the urban water balance concept including the role of groundwater;
    7. differentiate between a number of key pollutants and processes in urban groundwater
  • Fieldtrip and Fieldwork WSE Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Demonstrate a multidisciplinary overview of actual technical, research and organizational activities in the field of water management, hydraulic engineering and hydrology.
    2. Report detailed technical information received.
    3. Select and apply different, appropriate field instrumentation and measurement methods in practice and organise the measurement.
    4. Critically analyse field results, and identify/recognise possible areas of error or uncertainty.
    5. Integrate quantitative measurements with qualitative terrain observations and prior information to evaluate and analyse the relevant predominant processes in a study area.
    6. Apply this assimilation of data to engineering cases.
  • Applied Groundwater Modelling Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. be familiar with the principles and procedures of groundwater modelling;
    2. construct a groundwater model using state of the art modelling software;
    3. use the model for simulation of groundwater flow, contaminant transport and salt water intrusion;
    4. apply groundwater modelling techniques for groundwater resources management and protection.
  • MSc Preparatory Course and MSc Research Proposal Required
  • Summer Courses - Research Methodology for WSE Elective
  • Groupwork WSE Elective
  • MSc Research Work Required
    Upon completion, the participant should be able to:

    1. Explore the background of the research problem by critically reviewing scientific literature; Evaluate relevant theories and applying these theories to a relevant scientific problem; Assure adequate delineation and definition of the research topic; Formulate research questions and hypotheses.
    2. Conduct research, independently or in a multidisciplinary team by selecting and applying appropriate research methodologies and techniques, collecting and analysing data.
    3. Formulate well-founded conclusions and recommendations based on a comprehensive discussion of the results
    4. Demonstrate academic attitude and learning skills (including thinking in multidisciplinary dimensions and distinguishing main issues from minor ones), to enhance and keep up-to-date the acquired knowledge and application skills in a largely independent manner.
    5. Communicate, debate and defend, clearly and systematically, findings and generated insights, and provide rational underpinning of these in oral and written presentations to a variety of audiences.

Tuition & fellowships

Information about tuition fees can be found here

The following fellowships are recommended for prospective students who wish to study Hydrology and Water Resources

• Joint Japan Worldbank Graduate Scholarship Programme (JJ/WBGSP)

  Participants from World Bank member countries can apply for a fellowship from the Joint Japan/World Bank Graduate Scholarship Programme (JJ/WBGSP). Please note that the deadline for JJ/WBGSP scholarship applications for the academic year 2016-17 has passed.

  more info: www.worldbank.org

• Netherlands Fellowship Programme (NFP)

  The Netherlands Fellowship Programmes (NFP) promote capacity building within organisations in 51 countries by providing training and education through fellowships for professionals.

  The overall aim of the NFP is to help increase both the number and the competencies of skilled staff at a wide range of governmental and non-governmental organisations. You have to be nominated by your employer to be eligible for the fellowship. There also has to be a clear need for training within the context of your organisation. 

  Fellowship application procedure per modality: 

  • For more info about how to apply for a NFP fellowship for a MSc Specialization at UNESCO-IHE click here -  Please note however that the UNESCO-IHE NFP application deadline for MSc programmes starting in 2016 passed.
  • For more info about how to apply for a NFP fellowship for a Short Course at UNESCO-IHE visit the Short Course webpage.

  more info: www.studyinholland.nl

  Tip

  Use the Nuffic Grantfinder to find a suitable fellowship
   

• Rotary Scholarship for Water and Sanitation Professionals

  Rotary and UNESCO-IHE Institute for Water Education are working together to tackle the world’s water and sanitation crisis by increasing the number of trained professionals to devise, plan, and implement solutions in developing and emerging countries. Through this partnership, The Rotary Foundation will award 10 scholarships annually for graduate students working or living near a Rotary club and provisionally admitted to one of the following MSc programmes (joint programmes are not eligible):

  • MSc in Urban Water and Sanitation
  • MSc in Water Management
  • MSc in Water Science and Engineering

  more info: http://www.unesco-ihe.org/Rotary-Scholarships-for-Water-and-Sanitation-Professionals

• WMO Fellowships

  WMO is partnering with UNESCO-IHE to jointly support two to three fellowships a year from developing and least developed countries to undertake an MSc in one of the agreed UNESCO-IHE programmes.
  
  To be considered for a fellowshipfor the academic year 2016-2018 under WMO / UNESCO-IHE joint funding applicants must:
  a) have unconditional admission to one of the following UNESCO-IHE programmes: Hydrology and Water Resources; Hydraulic Engineering and River Basin Development; Hydraulic Engineering - Land and Water Development; Water Resources Management; Hydroinformatics - Modelling and Information Systems for Water Management; Water Quality Management; or, Hydraulic Engineering - Coastal and Port Development. Unconditional admission implies UNESCO-IHE have agreed to both your academic and language suitability.
  b) complete and submit a WMO Fellowship Nomination Form (FNF) to WMO by 1 March 2016. The FNF MUST be submitted through, and approved by, the Permanent Representative (PR) of your country with WMO, click here for the contact details of the PR of your country. Please note that the PR may give preference to personnel from the National Meteorological Service or National Hydrological Service of their country. The WMO Fellowship Nomination Forms (FNF) are available here.
  c) be medically fit (see WMO FNF for details).
  d) inform Ms Ineke Melis, UNESCO-IHE liaison officer for WMO fellowships, in case you are going to request WMO support: i.melis@unesco-ihe.org

  
  For WMO to consider the fellowship nomination all of the above conditions must be met. Successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified through the PR of their country by the end of July 2016. For further information email: detr@wmo.int.

  more info: www.wmo.int

Application & Admission

Admission requirements

Academic admission to the Master programmes may be granted to applicants who provide evidence of having:

• a university level Bachelor’s degree in an appropriate field for the specialization, which has been awarded by a university of recognised standing.
• a good command of the English language, if this is not the first language. All non-native English-speaking applicants must satisfy the English language requirements for all UNESCO-IHE's educational programmes.

Working experience in an environment related to the specialization is an asset. At least three years experience is in general preferred.

Application procedure

For admission to the programme please complete the online application form. The link is available at the top of this page. Collect the required documents and attach them to the online application form:

• Certified copies of degrees/diplomas.
• Certified copies of academic transcripts. Authenticated or certified copies are copies with an official stamp to verify that the copies are true copies of original documents. This official stamp may be from one of the following: a solicitor/notary, the educational institution from where the student gained the diplomas or the local council/local authority/local government office.
• Two reference letters, preferably one from a person that can judge students' professional abilities and one from a person that can judge his/her academic abilities. One recommendation letter has to come from the current employer (if available) and another one from the university the student graduated from. Letters have to be printed on company (logo) paper and signed.
• Motivation letter (maximum 500 words explanation why he/she applies for admission to the choosen programme).
• Copy of passport.
• Copy of results of English language test score (if required, see English language requirements).

Please note all documents are required to be in English, or officially translated into English.

Once academically accepted this admission remains valid for three consecutive years. In principle one can not apply for more than one programme per academic year. However, if a student applies for an Erasmus Mundus programme, he/she can also apply for another programme as long as it is not also an Erasmus Mundus programme. Academic admission to the programmes will be granted on the basis of a decision taken to that effect by the Academic Registrar, upon advice of the programme coordinator.

More information

Further questions about the application procedure can be addressed to:

Ms Marlies Baburek
Admission and Fellowship Officer
Email: m.baburek@unesco-ihe.org