Water Resource Evaluation
- Sciences
- 200 level
- 2 credit units
- 97 pages
- 12 units
This course provides an understanding of water resources evaluation, covering the nature and distribution of water on Earth, the hydrological cycle, and processes of water transfer. It explores surface and groundwater sources, drainage basins, precipitation forms, evaporation, runoff, and streamflow. The course also examines water quality assessment, pollution sources, and regulatory frameworks, equipping students with essential knowledge for water resource management.
About this course
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Study hours
- 20 hours
- Maths
- Basic
- Content
- Theoretical
- Practical work
- No
- Assignments
- Tutor marked assessments
- End of semester examination
What you'll read
The real module and unit structure of ESM222, taken from the course material NOUN publishes.
One paragraph, so you can see how it reads
ESM222 · UNIT 1 NATURE AND DISTRIBUTION OF WATER ON THE EARTH
Water has a very high surface tension. In other words, water is sticky and elastic, and tends to clump together in drops rather than spread out in a thin film. Surface tension is responsible for capillary action, which allows water (and its dissolved substances) to move through the roots of plants and through the tiny blood vessels in our bodies.
What you should be able to do
- Discuss the nature of water and its distribution on earth.
- Describe the hydrological cycle and its components.
- Enumerate surface water resources and their characteristics.
- Describe the processes of evaporation and evapotranspiration.
- Define water quality and enumerate the sources of pollutants.
- Describe discharge measurement in a stream.
What it prepares you for
- Hydrologist
- Environmental Scientist
- Water Resource Manager
- Environmental Consultant
- Water Resource Management
- Environmental Protection
- Agriculture
- Urban Planning
Where it gets hard
The units students slow down on, and what makes each one heavy.
- Module 1:
Unit 3: Processes of Water Transfer
Understanding the complex interactions between soil properties, vegetation cover, and gravitational forces requires careful attention to detail.
- Module 2:
Unit 5: Streamflow Measurements
Accurately measuring streamflow involves understanding various instruments and techniques, as well as the factors that can influence stream discharge.
A suggested way through it
13 weeks, about 21 hours in total. Yours will differ.
- Week 1Module 1:
Unit 1: Nature and Distribution of Water on the Earth · 1.5 hours
Read about the physical and chemical properties of water.. Differentiate between polluted and normal water.. Describe the distribution of water over the earth's surface..
- Week 2Module 1:
Unit 2: Water (Hydrological) Cycle · 1.5 hours
Define the water (hydrological) cycle.. Identify the components of the water cycle.. Describe the processes of the water cycle.. Discuss the importance of the cycle..
- Week 3Module 1:
Unit 3: Processes of Water Transfer · 1.5 hours
Define interception, stemflow, infiltration, and throughfall.. Explain the processes of water transfer.. Describe soil water storage and its components..
- Week 4Module 1:
Unit 4: Surface Water Sources · 1.5 hours
Mention examples of surface waters.. Compare different surface water sources.. Identify uses and limitations of surface water sources..
- Week 5Module 1:
Unit 5: Groundwater Sources · 1.5 hours
Describe groundwater and its occurrence.. Discuss the forms of groundwater.. Mention sources of groundwater.. Define water dowsing..
- Week 6Module 1:
Unit 6: The Concept of Drainage Basin · 1.5 hours
Define a drainage basin and discuss its role.. Account for different types of drainage basins.. Discuss the impact of urbanization on drainage basins..
- Week 7Module 2:
Unit 1: Precipitation Forms and Rainfall Measurements · 1.5 hours
Define precipitation and describe its development.. Mention forms of precipitation and distinguish among them.. Describe a rain gauge and its use..
- Week 8Module 2:
Unit 2: Evaporation and Evapotranspiration · 1.5 hours
Define and compare evaporation and transpiration.. Describe methods of measuring potential evaporation.. Describe methods of measuring actual evaporation..
- Week 9Module 2:
Unit 3: Runoff · 1.5 hours
Define runoff.. Itemize the types of runoff.. Discuss the effects of runoff on the receiving environment..
- Week 10Module 2:
Unit 4: Streamflow · 1.5 hours
Define a hydrograph.. Explain the structure of a hydrograph.. Mention factors that affect the structure of a hydrograph..
- Week 11Module 2:
Unit 5: Streamflow Measurements · 1.5 hours
Measure the stage of a river or stream.. Explain river discharge.. Discuss the relationship between stage and stream discharge..
- Week 12Module 2:
Unit 6: Water Quality Assessment · 1.5 hours
Define water quality.. Justify the need for quality water.. Mention sources of pollution of earth waters.. Assess the responsiveness of stakeholders to water pollution..
- Week 13Modules 1 & 2
Final Revision and TMA Preparation · 3 hours
Review all units from Module 1 and Module 2.. Work on Tutor-Marked Assignments (TMAs).. Prepare for the end-of-course examination..
Preparing for the exam
- Review all unit objectives and summaries to reinforce key concepts.
- Create diagrams illustrating the water cycle and its components.
- Practice solving numerical problems related to streamflow and discharge measurements.
- Focus on understanding the factors affecting water quality and pollution sources.
- Prepare concise notes on the different types of drainage basins and their characteristics.
- Use real-world examples to illustrate the application of water resource evaluation principles.
Questions students ask about this course
What is ESM222 about?
This course provides an understanding of water resources evaluation, covering the nature and distribution of water on Earth, the hydrological cycle, and processes of water transfer. It explores surface and groundwater sources, drainage basins, precipitation forms, evaporation, runoff, and streamflow. The course also examines water quality assessment, pollution sources, and regulatory frameworks, equipping students with essential knowledge for water resource management.
How many units does ESM222 have?
ESM222, Water Resource Evaluation, has 12 units across 2 modules, over 97 pages of course material. You can read it one unit at a time.
How many credit units is ESM222?
ESM222 carries 2 credit units, at 200 level in Sciences.
Is ESM222 hard?
ESM222 is rated beginner level, with basic mathematical content. It is mostly theoretical work.
How long does ESM222 take to study?
About 20 hours of study, spread across its 12 units.
How is ESM222 assessed?
ESM222 is assessed by assignments, tutor marked assessments and end of semester examination.
What can I do with ESM222?
Hydrologist, Environmental Scientist, Water Resource Manager and Environmental Consultant.