General information
The MSc Hydrogeology is a comprehensive training in the theory and practice of groundwater science and engineering, providing an excellent basis for careers in scientific, engineering and environmental consultancies, water companies, major industries, research, and government scientific and regulatory services in the UK and abroad.
The course covers all major areas of groundwater resources, groundwater pollution and remediation, and groundwater engineering. Groundwater conditions are treated on an international basis and there are usually opportunities each year for students to undertake project work abroad.
The course is the longest established hydrogeology course in the UK, having been set up in the early 1970s, and as such its alumni are spread throughout the industry. Around 24 students in total take the course each year, coming from a wide range of backgrounds, from the UK, other parts of Europe, and further afield.
Over its 40 year history, the MSc Course in Hydrogeology has changed considerably, keeping in step with major changes in the subject, the concerns of the industry, and vastly increased computer power. Uniquely for a UK university department, there are now six core members of hydrogeological staff, specialists covering chemical, microbiological, geological and modelling aspects of the subject.
This is a vocational programme relevant to graduates with good Honours degrees in appropriate subjects (for example, Geosciences, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biosciences, and Environmental Sciences). It is important to have a good knowledge of mathematics.The lecture component of the programme encompasses the full range of hydrogeology. Modules cover drilling, well design, aquifer test analysis, laboratory test analysis, groundwater flow, hydrogeophysics, inorganic chemistry of groundwaters, organic contamination of groundwater, contaminated land and remediation, groundwater modelling, contaminant transport, hydrology, and groundwater resources assessment.
These lecture modules are supported by practical field sessions, and by computing and hydrogeological modelling based on industry standard software. Integration of concepts developed in the taught programmes is facilitated through student-centred investigations of current issues linked to a diverse range of hydrogeological environments.
Projects may be field-, laboratory-, or modelling- based, and are usually of an applied nature, although a few are research-orientated. Our chemical (inorganic and organic), rock testing, computing, geophysical and borehole-logging equipment is available for you to use during this period.
Summer placement opportunity. Atkins is offering paid summer placements within their teams of hydrogeologists, geologists and environmental scientists in several of their offices, with flexibility to support other Atkins offices across the UK and internationally. These placements will provide excellent experience working on real projects for candidates who are committed to careers in hydrogeology. The deadline is Sunday 5 June.
Modules. The course runs over 12 months from September to September. In the Autumn and Spring terms the subject is developed in lectures and practical sessions interspersed with fieldwork, a seminar series and at least one visit to a national hydrogeological meeting.
There is also a ‘split registration’ option in which it is possible to study the taught elements of the course over two consecutive years, the independent project being completed before the end of September in the second year.
The Course has 10 taught modules, each representing either 10 or 20 credits. The individual project is worth 60 credits.
Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport Modelling
Aim: to provide an introduction to regional groundwater flow modelling; to refine skills in conceptualising groundwater systems from limited data; and to introduce professional groundwater modelling software.
Content: Conceptual modelling. Mathematical models. Numerical modelling methods and approximations. Modelling practice. Case studies. Flow modelling project using a proprietary modelling system - G/W Vistas (+MODFLOW).
Surface Water and Groundwater Interactions: Theory, GIS and Programming
Aim: To introduce surface and unsaturated zone hydrology and interactive processes between groundwater and surface water
Content: The module explores the interactions between subsurface and surface water systems including soils, streams, rivers and lakes and how to measure and quantify the fluxes at the land surface/groundwater interface.
Borehole Design, Construction, and Maintenance
Aim: to develop a working understanding of the theory and practice of the design, construction and maintenance of boreholes for water supply.
Content: Methods of groundwater abstraction; drilling, logging, and sampling; borehole geophysics; pump technology and design; tube well design and construction; and well maintenance and rehabilitation.
Inorganic Chemistry and Groundwater
Aim: to understand aqueous inorganic chemistry and to interpret groundwater chemistry data sets in the context of water-rock interactions to solve problems of regional flow, pollution and well design.
Content: Theory of dissolution/precipitation, acid-base, redox, and sorption reactions. Isotopes. Application to water resources and contaminant hydrogeology.
Water Resources Studies
Aim: to understand how hydrogeological assessments are structured and to develop ability in hydrogeological interpretation and water resources assessment for different geological settings, physical domains and exploitation proposals. To understand how the various aspects of hydrogeological investigation are integrated. To gain an introduction to the UK hydrogeological research and industry community.
Content: guided research on various hydrogeological environments in the context of different applied problems: includes sandstones and chalk in temperate climates; hard rock aquifers in developing semi-arid environments; wetlands; karst; and nuclear waste disposal. Seminars from external speakers. Attendance at a national meeting.
For those requiring it, there are additional supporting sessions at the start of the year on those mathematical concepts relevant to the course.
Groundwater Hydraulics
Aim: to develop a sound understanding of the physical processes controlling groundwater hydraulics and solute transport, the mathematical models used to describe them, and the full range of laboratory and field hydraulic tests to characterise the subsurface hydrogeologically.
Content: Principles of flow and storage in porous media; groundwater flow and storage in aquifers; solute transport; finite difference models; laboratory hydraulic property measurements; small scale field tests; large scale field tests; computer, field, and laboratory work.
Groundwater Organic Contaminant Pollution and Remediation
Aim: to provide the organic contaminant hydrogeological knowledge base that will underpin a student’s potential future professional activity in the field of groundwater contamination by synthetic organic chemicals.
Content: Contaminant source terms; toxicology, environmental standards, and legislation; organic contaminant phase partitioning to air, water, solids; conceptual models of contaminant migration; processes of sorption, chemical reaction, biodegradation; non-aqueous phase flow; contaminated land / groundwater legislative frameworks; groundwater risk assessment; site investigation and groundwater monitoring practice; and groundwater remediation.
For those requiring it, there are additional supporting sessions at the start of the year on those mathematical concepts relevant to the course.
Career openings include those with consulting engineering and environmental firms, government scientific services and regional water companies, both in this country and abroad. Demand for hydrogeologists is substantial and students from the course are highly regarded by employers.
Content
The highlighted icons, represent the fields of education (in compliance with ISCED Classification) engaged during this course/programme.
Venue
Birmingham, United Kingdom
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT
Application
Click here to apply: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/apply-pg/index.aspx
Cost:
<p><strong>Home/EU students:</strong> £9,250 FT (£3,420 PT)</p> <p><strong>International students:</strong> £23,310 FT only</p> <p><a href="https://www.birmingham.ac.uk/postgraduate/courses/taught/gees/hydrogeology.aspx?OpenSection=FeesAndFunding">More details</a></p>
Prerequisites:
The course is open to graduates who hold a good honours degree or an equivalent qualification from the full range of science, engineering and environmental disciplines. It is important to have a good knowledge of mathematics. An AS or A-level in Mathematics or an equivalent through their degree course or through appropriate tuition is sufficient.
International students
A range of qualifications is accepted, the country pages shows what qualifications the University accepts from your country. You can satisfy the English language requirements in two ways:
- by holding an English language qualification to the right level (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE or alternative qualifications).
- by taking and successfully completing one of the University's English courses for international students.
Application Procedure:
By using the Apply Now link you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme 'MSc Hydrology' for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. The following information will usually be needed before a decision can be made on your application:
- Two academic references
- Degree transcript(s) - originals or certified photocopies
- English language certificates
- Personal statement, approximately 5.000 characters, explaining why you are interested in studying on your chosen programme.
Application Deadline: in general, there are no closing dates for applications at the University of Birmingham, but you are advised to apply early as many of our programmes receive more applications than there are places available. International applicants should also allow time to obtain a visa.
Grant Opportunities:
SRK Consulting Scholarship Programme. You may be eligible to apply for a scholarship from SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd up to a maximum of £1,500 which will be payable directly to the University for course fees. Find out more in the Fees and Funding section on this page.
Postgraduate Loans for Masters students. Student Finance England's new Postgraduate Loan application service is now open for Masters degrees in the UK. The Postgraduate Loan for Masters study will be:
- Up to £10,000 per student;
- A contribution towards the costs of study, i.e. it will be at your discretion to use the loan towards fees, maintenance costs or other costs;
- Non-means tested;
- Paid directly to you into a UK bank account;
Online applications are now open via the PGL website.
Water Conservators Bursary. Students with a place on this programme are eligible to apply for a Water Conservators Bursary, worth £4,000, given by the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators. to apply, please complete the application form (PDF 383KB) and return it to Laura Benson, PGT Programme Administrator by Wednesday 31st August 2016.
Qualification
Assessment:
Some modules are assessed through coursework alone. Examinations are held in January and April. From May onwards, you undertake a project, a report on which is submitted in September.
Qualification: Master of Science
Credits:
The MSc Hydrogeology is a comprehensive training in the theory and practice of groundwater science and engineering, providing an excellent basis for careers in scientific, engineering and environmental consultancies, water companies, major industries, research, and government scientific and regulatory services in the UK and abroad.
The course covers all major areas of groundwater resources, groundwater pollution and remediation, and groundwater engineering. Groundwater conditions are treated on an international basis and there are usually opportunities each year for students to undertake project work abroad.
The course is the longest established hydrogeology course in the UK, having been set up in the early 1970s, and as such its alumni are spread throughout the industry. Around 24 students in total take the course each year, coming from a wide range of backgrounds, from the UK, other parts of Europe, and further afield.
Over its 40 year history, the MSc Course in Hydrogeology has changed considerably, keeping in step with major changes in the subject, the concerns of the industry, and vastly increased computer power. Uniquely for a UK university department, there are now six core members of hydrogeological staff, specialists covering chemical, microbiological, geological and modelling aspects of the subject.
This is a vocational programme relevant to graduates with good Honours degrees in appropriate subjects (for example, Geosciences, Engineering, Physics, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biosciences, and Environmental Sciences). It is important to have a good knowledge of mathematics.The lecture component of the programme encompasses the full range of hydrogeology. Modules cover drilling, well design, aquifer test analysis, laboratory test analysis, groundwater flow, hydrogeophysics, inorganic chemistry of groundwaters, organic contamination of groundwater, contaminated land and remediation, groundwater modelling, contaminant transport, hydrology, and groundwater resources assessment.
These lecture modules are supported by practical field sessions, and by computing and hydrogeological modelling based on industry standard software. Integration of concepts developed in the taught programmes is facilitated through student-centred investigations of current issues linked to a diverse range of hydrogeological environments.
Projects may be field-, laboratory-, or modelling- based, and are usually of an applied nature, although a few are research-orientated. Our chemical (inorganic and organic), rock testing, computing, geophysical and borehole-logging equipment is available for you to use during this period.
Summer placement opportunity. Atkins is offering paid summer placements within their teams of hydrogeologists, geologists and environmental scientists in several of their offices, with flexibility to support other Atkins offices across the UK and internationally. These placements will provide excellent experience working on real projects for candidates who are committed to careers in hydrogeology. The deadline is Sunday 5 June.
Modules. The course runs over 12 months from September to September. In the Autumn and Spring terms the subject is developed in lectures and practical sessions interspersed with fieldwork, a seminar series and at least one visit to a national hydrogeological meeting.
There is also a ‘split registration’ option in which it is possible to study the taught elements of the course over two consecutive years, the independent project being completed before the end of September in the second year.
The Course has 10 taught modules, each representing either 10 or 20 credits. The individual project is worth 60 credits.
Groundwater Flow and Contaminant Transport Modelling
Aim: to provide an introduction to regional groundwater flow modelling; to refine skills in conceptualising groundwater systems from limited data; and to introduce professional groundwater modelling software.
Content: Conceptual modelling. Mathematical models. Numerical modelling methods and approximations. Modelling practice. Case studies. Flow modelling project using a proprietary modelling system - G/W Vistas (+MODFLOW).
Surface Water and Groundwater Interactions: Theory, GIS and Programming
Aim: To introduce surface and unsaturated zone hydrology and interactive processes between groundwater and surface water
Content: The module explores the interactions between subsurface and surface water systems including soils, streams, rivers and lakes and how to measure and quantify the fluxes at the land surface/groundwater interface.
Borehole Design, Construction, and Maintenance
Aim: to develop a working understanding of the theory and practice of the design, construction and maintenance of boreholes for water supply.
Content: Methods of groundwater abstraction; drilling, logging, and sampling; borehole geophysics; pump technology and design; tube well design and construction; and well maintenance and rehabilitation.
Inorganic Chemistry and Groundwater
Aim: to understand aqueous inorganic chemistry and to interpret groundwater chemistry data sets in the context of water-rock interactions to solve problems of regional flow, pollution and well design.
Content: Theory of dissolution/precipitation, acid-base, redox, and sorption reactions. Isotopes. Application to water resources and contaminant hydrogeology.
Water Resources Studies
Aim: to understand how hydrogeological assessments are structured and to develop ability in hydrogeological interpretation and water resources assessment for different geological settings, physical domains and exploitation proposals. To understand how the various aspects of hydrogeological investigation are integrated. To gain an introduction to the UK hydrogeological research and industry community.
Content: guided research on various hydrogeological environments in the context of different applied problems: includes sandstones and chalk in temperate climates; hard rock aquifers in developing semi-arid environments; wetlands; karst; and nuclear waste disposal. Seminars from external speakers. Attendance at a national meeting.
For those requiring it, there are additional supporting sessions at the start of the year on those mathematical concepts relevant to the course.
Groundwater Hydraulics
Aim: to develop a sound understanding of the physical processes controlling groundwater hydraulics and solute transport, the mathematical models used to describe them, and the full range of laboratory and field hydraulic tests to characterise the subsurface hydrogeologically.
Content: Principles of flow and storage in porous media; groundwater flow and storage in aquifers; solute transport; finite difference models; laboratory hydraulic property measurements; small scale field tests; large scale field tests; computer, field, and laboratory work.
Groundwater Organic Contaminant Pollution and Remediation
Aim: to provide the organic contaminant hydrogeological knowledge base that will underpin a student’s potential future professional activity in the field of groundwater contamination by synthetic organic chemicals.
Content: Contaminant source terms; toxicology, environmental standards, and legislation; organic contaminant phase partitioning to air, water, solids; conceptual models of contaminant migration; processes of sorption, chemical reaction, biodegradation; non-aqueous phase flow; contaminated land / groundwater legislative frameworks; groundwater risk assessment; site investigation and groundwater monitoring practice; and groundwater remediation.
For those requiring it, there are additional supporting sessions at the start of the year on those mathematical concepts relevant to the course.
By using the Apply Now link you will be directed to an application specifically designed for the programme 'MSc Hydrology' for where you will create an account with the University application system and submit your application and supporting documents online. The following information will usually be needed before a decision can be made on your application:
- Two academic references
- Degree transcript(s) - originals or certified photocopies
- English language certificates
- Personal statement, approximately 5.000 characters, explaining why you are interested in studying on your chosen programme.
Application Deadline: in general, there are no closing dates for applications at the University of Birmingham, but you are advised to apply early as many of our programmes receive more applications than there are places available. International applicants should also allow time to obtain a visa.
Some modules are assessed through coursework alone. Examinations are held in January and April. From May onwards, you undertake a project, a report on which is submitted in September.
Career openings include those with consulting engineering and environmental firms, government scientific services and regional water companies, both in this country and abroad. Demand for hydrogeologists is substantial and students from the course are highly regarded by employers.
The course is open to graduates who hold a good honours degree or an equivalent qualification from the full range of science, engineering and environmental disciplines. It is important to have a good knowledge of mathematics. An AS or A-level in Mathematics or an equivalent through their degree course or through appropriate tuition is sufficient.
International students
A range of qualifications is accepted, the country pages shows what qualifications the University accepts from your country. You can satisfy the English language requirements in two ways:
- by holding an English language qualification to the right level (IELTS/TOEFL/PTE or alternative qualifications).
- by taking and successfully completing one of the University's English courses for international students.
