Module manager: Gordon Mitchell
Email: g.mitchell@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2025/26
None, beyond formal progression from level 2 programmes for which the module is available. ISA student profiles should be passed to module leader for approval.
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Water is critical to life, development and the environment, and yet can also be a major threat. It poses challenges to people and ecosystems when there is too much, too little, or when it is too dirty. This module therefore develops an understanding of water science, and how this is applied in management by water scientists in government agencies, regulatory bodies, utilities and NGOs, with the goal of developing sustainable water systems.
The objectives of this module are to:
1. Develop understanding of a range of contemporary issues, ideas and concepts in the hydrological sciences,
2. Develop an appreciation of the relationships between the physical sciences and other sciences as they pertain to water management, and the importance of a holistic approach for effective catchment management,
3. Develop graduates able to identify and critically evaluate responses to significant challenges facing water managers,
4. Provide practical experience in data analysis techniques relevant to water scientists and demonstrate awareness of their advantages and limitations.
These objectives are addressed through a focus on river catchments. This approach develops an understanding of key issues around river discharge, pollution, and water scarcity, and the management responses that are needed to maximise benefits derived from riverine systems. The learning activities include lectures that address objectives 1-3, and which develop: (1) an understanding of a range of water pollutants and their sources, and what can be done to address them; (2) the process of water resource planning that is critical to ensuring that future needs can be met, considering cost and damage to the environment; and (3) the flow dynamics of river systems and the implications for landscapes, flooding and aquatic ecology. Objective 4 is addressed via a series of computer based practicals that address river discharge analysis, and the implication of changing river regimes for aquatic ecology.
On successful completion of the module students will be able to:
1. Explain contemporary issues and challenges in hydrological sciences of relevance to water management,
2. analyse contemporary water science problems by drawing connections between scales, processes, concepts and management opportunities,
3. identify and critically evaluate responses to significant challenges facing water managers,
4. manipulate and analyse datasets used by water scientists and demonstrate awareness of their advantages and limitations.
Skills Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the module students will have demonstrated the following skills learning outcomes:
1. Work ready: communication, critical thinking, creativity, problem solving and analysis, IT skills
2. Sustainability: Systems thinking, integrated problem solving
3. Academic: critical thinking, academic writing, information searching, referencing, time management
4. Digital: information and data literacy
Details of the syllabus will be provided on the Minerva organisation (or equivalent) for the module
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Supervision | 1 | 3 | 3 |
| Supervision | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Lecture | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Lecture | 14 | 2 | 28 |
| Practical | 3 | 3 | 9 |
| Private study hours | 155 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 45 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 200 | ||
Formative feedback is provided via several routes. Feedback is available throughout the year via in class discussion and individual discussion with students via the scheduled supervisory sessions (‘drop ins’). Students gain in class feedback on an individual own-time formative worksheet exercise addressing diffuse pollution. In Semester 2 all students gain immediate individual feedback in the practical sessions from staff and PGR support. For the ecology practicals that later lead to summative assignment #2, this includes formative feedback to develop their research questions and subsequent analysis
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Coursework | Coursework | 50 |
| Coursework | Coursework | 50 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100 | |
Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated
The reading list is available from the Library website
Last updated: 08/05/2025
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team