MSc in Hydrogeology

Course Contents and Structure

Course Aims and Special Features

The course is designed to give a thorough grounding in all aspects of hydrogeology. Students will receive training in theoretical physical and chemical aspects of water in the subsurface including theory of movement of groundwater in the subsurface, groundwater and surface water geochemistry, field techniques of aquifer and groundwater characterization, interpretation of hydraulic and chemical data, and predictive numerical modeling. The course at Leeds includes, as a distinctive features; the chemistry of pollutants, their interaction with groundwater and aquifer rocks and their remediation, and flow and transport behaviour of fractured aquifers which represent a significant proportion of aquifers in the UK and abroad, in addition to sedimentary 'porous media' aquifers.

Course Structure

The course consists of taught modules (120 credits) and a summer project and dissertation (60 credits). Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, practical classes, field classes, and computer based classes.

SOEE 5070 Hydrogeology and contaminant processes: In this module students learn the basics of hydrogeology including the fundamentals of the water cycle and water balance, the physics of flow and contaminant transport through porous media, aquifer hydraulic properties and how to measure them, and aquifer structure and heterogeneity, groundwater geochemistry and contaminated land issues.
SOEE 5482 Advanced Hydrogeology: The module builds on the SOEE 5070 covering a number of specialized topics including borehole design, construction and testing, groundwater and ground source heat, and the hydrogeology of fractured aquifers. Students get a chance to put theory into practice through three field trips which focus on hydro-geochemistry, fractured aquifers, field aquifer testing techniques and borehole geophysical logging.
SOEE 5125 Field and laboratory skills: This module build on the basic water chemistry taught in SOEE5070, introducing water sampling techniques, field and laboratory chemical analysis techniques, and chemical data analysis and interpretation. This module begins with a field trip to collect water samples which then form a focus for the application of a range of analysis techniques in the lab.
SOEE 5520 Geochemistry of groundwater pollutants and their remediation: In this module, the basics of groundwater chemistry are extended to the chemistry and evolution of pollutants in the subsurface. Topics covered include chemical aspects of contaminant transport including organic and inorganic contaminant groups, impact of pH and redox potential, fluid- rock interaction, and biodegradation and remediation strategies.
SOEE 5420 Groundwater modelling: The basic theory of hydrogeology and hydro-geochemistry taught in other parts of the course are brought together in this groundwater modeling module. Students learn to use software used in industry including flow modeling with GWVistas and Modflow (the industry standard) and risk assessment with RAM. The problems and challenges of modeling flow and transport in fractured aquifers are also explored.
SOEE 5770 Environmental and Engineering Geophysics: Geophysical methods of detecting the nature of the subsurface are increasingly popular technique in hydrogeology. Here students are given a basic understanding the fundamental principles behind geophysical surveying methods for environmental and engineering site assessment and the capabilities and limitations of these techniques.
SOEE 5485 Engineering Geology for Hydrogeologists: In this module, students are introduced to issues in engineering geology that they are likely to encounter as working hydrogeologists. This includes rock and soil description, site investigation and geotechnical assessment, design of ground models, slope design and underground openings, and the impact of groundwater on rock and soil mass strength and slope stability.
GEOG 5770 Hillslope Hydrology and River Discharge Analysis: Students are introduced to issues in catchment hydrology including hillslope runoff processes, hydrograph analysis, river flow and engineering, flood control, surface water-groundwater interaction, land management and changing climate, and the hydrological effects of human activities. Students get the chance to apply river discharge analysis techniques in a 1 day field trip.
SOEE 5450 Hydrogeology Project and Dissertation: From May to August, students undertake an individual project and write a dissertation on their project topic. Projects can be collaborative with industry or research-based and involve a combination of field, laboratory and modeling components. In September, students give a seminar on the final outcomes of their project to an audience of university staff and industry personnel.

Programme and Module Descriptions for the MSc Hydrogeology are available on the University Taught Postgraduate Catalogue