Course content

The course gives an introduction to hydrology, which is the study of water - its occurrence and circulation on land. You will acquire basic knowledge about the most important components of the hydrological cycle, such as precipitation (snow and rain), evaporation, soil- and groundwater, and runoff in streams and rivers. The water balance is studied both globally and with special reference to Norway, but the main focus is on drainage basins and an understanding of the processes that determine the flow of water from the moment it touches the ground until it runs out into the sea. Emphasis is on understanding physical processes, including the transport of water and energy in the Earth system. You will get experience in observation techniques and analysis of hydrological data. Floods and droughts are described separately.

Learning outcome

After taking this course, you will have

  • knowledge about basic observational practice for measuring the various parts of the hydrological cycle (e.g. precipitation, discharge, evaporation, snow processes)
  • knowledge about the relation between physical laws that govern geophysical systems (conservation of mass and energy) and hydrological processes
  • knowledge about how water transports energy through the Earth system
  • knowledge about modelling tools used to quantify the flow of water and energy in a catchment, at regional and global scales
  • knowledge about the geophysical system that influences variables that drive hydrological variation, and statistical tools for describing this variation
  • skills in scripting and programming for numerical analysis of hydrological processes

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.

Special admission requirements

In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:

  • Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2)

And in addition one of these:

  • Mathematics R2
  • Physics (1+2)
  • Chemistry (1+2)
  • Biology (1+2)
  • Information technology (1+2)
  • Geosciences (1+2)
  • Technology and theories of research (1+2)

Mathematics R2 was a requirement up until and including the study year 2021/2022, as part of a trial arrangement. From and including the study year 2022/2023, Mathematics R2 is no longer a requirement.

The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).

Formal prerequisite knowledge

The course includes a compulsory field course and excursions. A health-and-safety course for safety in the field must be passed before you can go on these:

Overlapping courses

Teaching

There are 2 x 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of exercises/seminars/data lab per week throughout the semester. Active participation is expected of the student.

6-8 compulsory assignments will be set, and these must be approved before the final examination.