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CVEN40830

Academic Year 2026/2027

Applied Hydrology (CVEN40830)

Subject:
Civil Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Civil Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Fiachra O'Loughlin
Trimester:
Autumn
Mode of Delivery:
Blended
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Water is one of the critical natural resources that is essential for life and is key to most of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Especially to Goal 2: Zero Hunger; Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, in particular Target 3.9; Goal 6: Clean Water and Sanitation; Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; Goal 12: Responsible Consumption and Production; Goal 13: Climate Action; Goal 14: Life Below Water; and Goal 15: Life on Land.
Hydrology aims captures the occurrence, distribution and movement of water on earth, i.e. the hydrological cycle while applied hydrology use scientific understand to solve water related problems in society, especially related to quantity and quality.
This module will explore the concepts of hydrology and the varying methods and techniques to analyse the hydrological cycle from precipitation to discharge.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this module, student will be able to:
1) Describe the hydrological cycle and the major processes
2) Analyse the relevant data to understand catchment behaviour
3) Quantify the impact of climate change on hydrology
4) Model the hydrological process using rainfall-runoff models and analyse the outputs
5) Apply relevant techniques to estimate design flows (drought and floods)

Indicative Module Content:

Hydrological Cycle and processes
Hydrometry - measurement of relevant drivers
Statistical Methods to analyse hydrological data
Climate Change and its impacts on hydrological processes
Catchment/ Process based modelling
Environmental concerns

UNESCO highlights a set of key competencies that support individuals in their development and support society in achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UCD has adapted these competencies and is combining them with others to form a general framework of learning competencies. This module will help you develop the competencies below to the levels specified. 
Learning Competency Additional Information Level

Critical Thinking

 The ability to question norms, practices and opinions; to reflect on one’s own values, perceptions and actions. Proficient

Systems Thinking

 The ability to recognize and understand relationships; to analyse complex systems; to think of how systems are embedded within different domains and different scales; and to deal with uncertainty. Proficient

Integrated Problem Solving

 The overarching ability to apply different problem-solving frameworks to complex sustainability problems and develop viable, inclusive and equitable solution options that promote sustainable development, integrating the competencies in this list. Proficient

Self-awareness

 The ability to reflect on one’s own role in the local community and (global) society; to continually evaluate and further motivate one’s actions; and to deal with one’s feelings and desires. Competent

Digital Literacy and Judgement

 The ability to access, evaluate, create and communicate information in digital environments; to engage critically, ethically and responsibly with digital technologies and digital information; to understand their opportunities, limitations, risks and impact on individual’s digital identities; and to exercise informed judgement in digital participation and decision-making. Expert

The United Nations identified seventeen Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) as core to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and UCD contributes in general to SDG 4 Quality Education. Further SDGs explored within this module if relevant are listed below. A scale of 1 - 5 indicates the extent to which the SDG is covered.


Goal Name Description Coverage

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture 2

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all 3

Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all 2

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 2

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 2
 

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

36
Autonomous Student Learning

90
Total

126

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Lectures
Critical Writing
Student Presentations
Pre-recorded videos
Online Quizzes

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Incompatibles:
CVEN40220 - Intro to Water Resources Eng, CVEN40700 - Water Engineering


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade Component repeat (in-module) Offered
Exam (In-person): End of trimester exam End of trimester
Duration:
2 hr(s)
 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
55
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Development of Rating Curves Week 9 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Water Balance Calculation Week 6 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No
Assignment(Including Essay): Extreme Value Analysis of High and Low Flows Week 12 Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
15
 No

As part of UCD's student support, under the Additional Consideration policy, extensions may be available for the following assessments in the module: Assignment (including essay/poster), Portfolio, Reflective Assignment, Report(s), and Individual Project.


Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Spring Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, on an activity or draft prior to summative assessment
• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Formative feedback will be provided at different stages during the assignment and with the first presentation. The final report will be graded feedback given via Brightspace

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 13:00 - 14:50
Autumn Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Wed 09:00 - 09:50
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