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Module

CEG8527 : Fundamentals of Conceptual and Numerical Groundwater Modelling

  • Offered for Year: 2025/26
  • Module Leader(s): Dr Stephen Blenkinsop
  • Co-Module Leader: Dr Jean Hall, Professor Adam Jarvis
  • Lecturer: Dr Greg O'Donnell
  • Owning School: Engineering
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 5.0
European Credit Transfer System

Aims

The aim of this module is to introduce the essential elements of conceptual and numerical groundwater modelling, along with providing practical experience of interpreting existing models and developing groundwater numerical models. Participants will gain the ability to apply a systems approach to the water environment, with an understanding of the contribution groundwater makes to the water cycle.


The material covered in this course supports the fundamental activities necessary for groundwater investigations and assessments and introduces the more complex and detailed process for numerical modelling. An evidenced appreciation (derived via modelling) is critical for applications such as the security of water resources and contaminated land investigations.

Outline Of Syllabus

To engage with the workflow of groundwater assessment the module covers;
•Essential geology for hydrogeology.
•Groundwater flow processes.
•Conceptual model creation and development
•Numerical methods for groundwater modelling.
•Use of groundwater modelling software.
•Case studies.

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion140:0040:00coursework preparation
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture101:0010:00Lectures introducing key concepts, potentially including guest speakers discussing model development and application, familiarisation with software and modelling techniques.
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical53:0015:00Practical sessions including software use and modelling.
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study135:0035:00background reading, revision etc
Total100:00
Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Teaching and learning methods to address problem solving and software skills development, supported by theory- based and broader conceptual learning using lectures and tutorial activities.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Written exercise2M100Regional Groundwater Modelling (12 page max) (M1, M2, M3, M4, M6, M16, M17)
Formative Assessments

Formative Assessment is an assessment which develops your skills in being assessed, allows for you to receive feedback, and prepares you for being assessed. However, it does not count to your final mark.

Description Semester When Set Comment
Prob solv exercises2MDuring timetabled practical session. Set at an appropriate point in the teaching block. Feedback given in class to check knowledge and understanding.
Assessment Rationale And Relationship

This module is focused on understanding the fundamental groundwater processes and demonstrating this via the creation of a conceptual model that can be further developed using analytical equations and numerical groundwater flow models. The assessment is 100% coursework which requires the students to report on building a new simple groundwater model, and exploration of the model sensitivity given a range of scenarios. This tests the students' ability to develop their own model, and their understanding of some of the theory underlying model development. This coursework element will assess M1, M2, M3, M4, M6, M16, and M17 AHEP-4 codes

Reading Lists

Timetable