Department
of Earth Science |
Northeastern
Illinois University
Department
of Earth Science |Northeastern
Illinois University
Course Outcomes and Objectives (also see the daily objectives linked to the outline of topics)
By the end of this course, you should be able to do the following:
Surface Water/Hydrologic Cycle
w
describe the processes in the hydrologic cycle and explain how rates of
each are quantified
w
use a planimeter to measure a map area
w
given precipitation rates in length/time units, calculate the volume of
precipitation over an area
w
given evaporation rates in length/time units, calculate volume of evaporation
from a surface water body
w
construct a hydrologic budget for a drainage basin
w
use the internet to locate discharge data for a given stream gage
w
given stream discharge data, plot a hydrograph
w
list and describe the effects of factors that determine hydrograph shape
Properties of Porous Media
w
use lab and non-lab methods to estimate values of porosity, effective porosity,
specific yield, specific retention, permeability, and hydraulic conductivity
for any given type of porous medium
w
use these properties to predict and describe the water-bearing and water-yielding
capacities of various rocks and sediments
w
describe a hydrogeologic setting in terms of aquifers, aquitards, and hydrostratigraphic
units
w
using geologic cross sections, maps, and reports, identify hydrostratigraphic
units in any given area
Ground Water Flow
w
use data from piezometers to measure hydraulic head
w
distinguish between wells and piezometers, and explain what determines
water levels as measured by each
w
given measurements of hydraulic head, calculate hydraulic gradient within
a porous medium
w
use Darcy’s Law to describe the interactions between ground water discharge,
hydraulic conductivity, cross-sectional area of flow, and hydraulic gradient
w
use corollaries of Darcy’s Law to estimate velocity of ground water flow
w
draw plan view and cross-sectional flow nets based on boundary conditions
and/or hydraulic head data
w
use water levels in wells/piezometers to predict the direction of ground
water flow in an area
Well Hydraulics
w
sketch a diagram of a well illustrating and labeling the components
w
given the intended purpose of a well and the site geology, specify the
depth to which the borehole should be drilled and the well intake installed
w
describe the flow of water to a well
w
use the Theis equation to predict the effects of changes in pumping rate,
radius from the pumping well, hydraulic conductivity, aquifer saturated
thickness, time since pumping began, and aquifer storativity on the drawdown
within an aquifer
w
interpret pumping test data to estimate aquifer transmissivity and storativity
Ground Water Chemistry and Contamination
w
use mass/mass, mass/volume, and molar units of measurement to describe
aqueous concentrations of water constituents
w
list common ground water contaminants (or contaminant groups) and their
potential sources
w
describe how physical and chemical characteristics of a contaminant affect
its behavior in the subsurface and influence selection of remediation strategies
Ground Water Modeling
w
use well logs, regional geologic data, surface water records, and other
hydrogeologic data to construct hydrogeologic cross sections and maps for
a given area
w
produce a numerical model of ground water conditions in a given area, including
appropriate choice of boundaries and initial conditions
w
describe and evaluate the magnitude and effects of potential errors within
the numerical model
w
write a scientific report describing and explaining the numerical model
Quantitative Skills
w
solve geomathematical problems involving varied and diverse units of measurement,
and be able to convert between units
w
using quantitative terms, formulate mathematical expressions for and solutions
to problems related to water flow rates, discharge rates, volumes, areas,
and depths
w
apply the following quantitative skills: algebraic manipulation, use of
scientific notation, use of exponents and logarithms, construction and
interpretation of graphs, contouring, interpolation and extrapolation,
and use of significant figures
Teamwork/Critical Thinking/ Non-Content-Based
Skills
w
in the NEIU library, locate scientific journals that concern hydrogeology
w
evaluate the validity and reliability of disparate data sources, especially
when they provide conflicting information
w
evaluate quantitative solutions to hydrogeological problems to determine
if they fall within a reasonable range of values
w
evaluate quantitative solutions to hydrogeological problems to estimate
sources of uncertainty and magnitude of error.
w
be able to participate effectively as a member of a working group.
Department of Earth Science | Northeastern Illinois University
© 2004 Laura L. Sanders.
Last updated January 12, 2004.