General information
This online course is focusing on decision support methods (modelling, optimisation, multi criteria analysis) and their encapsulation in systems for application in river basin planning and management. The total study load is 140 hours distributed over 10 weeks (average study load of about 14 hours per week) and is equivalent to full-time study of 3 weeks.
Course content
River Basin Management
Introduction to the concept of RBM; Guiding principles in RBM; relations between the natural, socioeconomic and administrative systems; functions and users; Challenges: integration across functions, upstream-downstream integration, trade-offs; Nature of RBM complexity requiring decision support.
Decision support: structuring decision making problems and solution techniques
Introduction to decision making processes; Formulation of objectives and alternatives; Hierarchical structuring of objectives; Formulation of alternatives in terms of control (decision) variables; Introduction to simulation, optimisation and multi-criteria analyses as techniques used in decision support.
Modelling simulations as tools for decision support in RBM
Modelling paradigms: physically-based modelling, data-driven modelling-agent-based modelling; Types of modelling used for RBM: river basin modelling; catchment modelling; river and flood Modelling; water quality and ecological modelling; socioeconomic modelling; Special focus on River Basin Modelling; Computer exercises with River Basin Modelling Software.
Optimisation techniques for decision support in RBM
Introduction to optimisation; Classical optimisation (calculus-based); Single-objective and multi-objective optimisation; Linear Programming; Dynamic Programming; Formulation of typical water resources problems as optimisation problems; Exercises with optimisation software packages.
Multi-Criteria Analyses (MCA) techniques and their role in decision support for RBM
The need for MCA; Definition of MCA problems; Solution methods – compensatory and non-compensatory; Decision matrix and its use; Multiple Attributes Decision Methods (MADM); Computer exercises with DSS software that implements MCA.
Structure and types of DSSs for RBM
Introduction to DSS as computer-based tools; Structure of a generic DSS; Types of DSSs; Examples of developed DSSs and case studies.
Upon completion, the participant should be able to:
- identify the key challenges in River Basin Management and understand the need for decision support tools;
- translate RBM problems into structured decision making problems using systems analysis approaches through formulation of alternatives and objectives;
- identify the role and applicability of modelling simulation for the purposes of decision support;
- set-up and execute moderately complex river basin simulation models;
- identify the role and applicability of various optimisation techniques for the purposes of decision support;
- identify the role and applicability of Multi Criteria Analyses (MCA) techniques for the purposes of decision support;
- understand the generic structure of a computer-based DSSs used in RBM and distinguish different types of DSSs.
Content
The highlighted icons, represent the fields of education (in compliance with ISCED Classification) engaged during this course/programme.
Venue
Delft, Netherlands
UNESCO-IHE (Online course)
Westvest 7, 2611 AX Delft
Application
Click here to apply: http://www.unesco-ihe.org/application-form-unesco-ihe-regular-short-courses-and-...
Cost:
<p>850€</p>
Prerequisites:
The course is designed for young and mid-level professionals who are involved in decision making processes in river basins at different levels, or those who are developing modelling and information systems support for managing water resources in river basins. Participants who want to develop competencies in these fields can also apply for the course.
You should at least have a Bachelor Degree in a relevant field of study, some years of working experience and a good command of the English language. The course is designed for young and mid-level professionals who are involved in decision making processes in river basins at different levels, or those who are developing modelling and information systems support for managing water resources in river basins. Participants who want to develop competencies in these fields can also apply for the course.
Application Procedure:
Apply using the online application form. Please note that there is a strict first come, first served policy. It might be the case that a course is fully booked before the registration deadline at UNESCO-IHE passes. Therefore we advise you to register and pay for the course as early as possible. Students will be registered as online course participants after payment of the required tuition fees.
Start: 18 September 2017
End: 11 December 2017
Deadline IHE application: 04 September 2017 - 23.59 (CET)
Grant Opportunities:
Most of the UNESCO-IHE online courses are eligible for NFP fellowships, and candidates from NFP countries are always encouraged to apply for one (Deadline NFP: 26 January 2015). Discounts on the tuition fees are also available and apply to the following:
- 30% for UNESCO-IHE alumni
- 30% for UNESCO-IHE G-PoWER partners
- 10% for UN family staff members
- 10% for groups of 5 or more (provided that the course starts at the same time and a group application has been sent)
Qualification
Credits:
This online course is focusing on decision support methods (modelling, optimisation, multi criteria analysis) and their encapsulation in systems for application in river basin planning and management. The total study load is 140 hours distributed over 10 weeks (average study load of about 14 hours per week) and is equivalent to full-time study of 3 weeks.
Course content
River Basin Management
Introduction to the concept of RBM; Guiding principles in RBM; relations between the natural, socioeconomic and administrative systems; functions and users; Challenges: integration across functions, upstream-downstream integration, trade-offs; Nature of RBM complexity requiring decision support.
Decision support: structuring decision making problems and solution techniques
Introduction to decision making processes; Formulation of objectives and alternatives; Hierarchical structuring of objectives; Formulation of alternatives in terms of control (decision) variables; Introduction to simulation, optimisation and multi-criteria analyses as techniques used in decision support.
Modelling simulations as tools for decision support in RBM
Modelling paradigms: physically-based modelling, data-driven modelling-agent-based modelling; Types of modelling used for RBM: river basin modelling; catchment modelling; river and flood Modelling; water quality and ecological modelling; socioeconomic modelling; Special focus on River Basin Modelling; Computer exercises with River Basin Modelling Software.
Optimisation techniques for decision support in RBM
Introduction to optimisation; Classical optimisation (calculus-based); Single-objective and multi-objective optimisation; Linear Programming; Dynamic Programming; Formulation of typical water resources problems as optimisation problems; Exercises with optimisation software packages.
Multi-Criteria Analyses (MCA) techniques and their role in decision support for RBM
The need for MCA; Definition of MCA problems; Solution methods – compensatory and non-compensatory; Decision matrix and its use; Multiple Attributes Decision Methods (MADM); Computer exercises with DSS software that implements MCA.
Structure and types of DSSs for RBM
Introduction to DSS as computer-based tools; Structure of a generic DSS; Types of DSSs; Examples of developed DSSs and case studies.
Apply using the online application form. Please note that there is a strict first come, first served policy. It might be the case that a course is fully booked before the registration deadline at UNESCO-IHE passes. Therefore we advise you to register and pay for the course as early as possible. Students will be registered as online course participants after payment of the required tuition fees.
Start: 18 September 2017
End: 11 December 2017
Deadline IHE application: 04 September 2017 - 23.59 (CET)
Upon completion, the participant should be able to:
- identify the key challenges in River Basin Management and understand the need for decision support tools;
- translate RBM problems into structured decision making problems using systems analysis approaches through formulation of alternatives and objectives;
- identify the role and applicability of modelling simulation for the purposes of decision support;
- set-up and execute moderately complex river basin simulation models;
- identify the role and applicability of various optimisation techniques for the purposes of decision support;
- identify the role and applicability of Multi Criteria Analyses (MCA) techniques for the purposes of decision support;
- understand the generic structure of a computer-based DSSs used in RBM and distinguish different types of DSSs.
The course is designed for young and mid-level professionals who are involved in decision making processes in river basins at different levels, or those who are developing modelling and information systems support for managing water resources in river basins. Participants who want to develop competencies in these fields can also apply for the course.
You should at least have a Bachelor Degree in a relevant field of study, some years of working experience and a good command of the English language. The course is designed for young and mid-level professionals who are involved in decision making processes in river basins at different levels, or those who are developing modelling and information systems support for managing water resources in river basins. Participants who want to develop competencies in these fields can also apply for the course.
