Water Resources Engineering at the University of Maryland
Undergraduate Classes
The Department currently offers two senior-level classes in Water Resources. Both build on ENCE 305, Fundamentals of Engineering Fluids, which is a required class for all Civil & Environmental Engineering majors.
- ENCE 301: Geo-metrics and GIS in Civil Engineering: This class explores Geographic Information Systems (GIS) as applied to a range of analyses that civil engineers might need to undertake. The early part of the semester focuses on fundamental concepts such as database structure, data format, and projections. Tools and algorithms for interpreting and quantifying aerial imagery, optimizing linear networks, and using GPS technology are examined. A significant fraction of the course focuses on terrain analysis and interpretation. Students learn how to automate watershed delineation and derive a suite of watershed-based hydrologic characteristics through both menu-based data manipulation and later through the development of GIS-based scripts.
- ENCE 305: Fundamentals of Engineering Fluids: The theoretical bases for fluid statics and dynamics, including the conversation of mass, energy and momentum. Modeling of hydraulic systems are introduced. Emphasis on pipe flow and open-channel hydraulics, with realworld applications.
- ENCE 431 Hydrologic Engineering: An introduction to basic principles of hydrologic science including the hydrologic cycle, rainfall, surface runoff and streamflow. Special emphasis is placed on hydrologic engineering design of stormwater management and flood control facilities. Design projects are used to illustrate design practices.
- ENCE 432 Groundwater Hydrology: Concepts related to the development of the ground water resources, hydrology, hydrodynamics of flow through porous media, hydraulics of wells and basin-wide ground water development. Fundamentals of ground water pollution are introduced.
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Undergraduate Water and Environment Track
Students who are interested in all aspects (physical, mathematical, geological, chemical and biological) of water and the environment are encouraged to select the "Water and Environment" track, which includes ENCE 431 and 432 (described above), as well as junior and senior classes in Environmental Engineering: Introduction to Environmental Engineering (ENCE 310), Environmental Engineering Science (ENCE 411), and Environmental Engineering Unit Operations (ENCE 412).
The "Water and Environment" track also includes an introductory Bioiogy class (BSCI 105), and classes in Simulation and Design of Experiments (ENCE 402) and Project Cost Accounting and Economics (ENCE 422). Students who select this track have a great deal of flexibility in choosing their upper-level technical electives. They may choose to focus on another Civil Engineering specialty (Structures, Geotechnical, Transportation, or Project Management) by taking one junior and two senior classes in that specialty, or design a program with greater breadth, sampling from all the specialties. Please click here for more information.
Electives
Any Civil & Environmental Engineering student may select ENCE 431 or 432, or both, as upper-level technical electives. Even for those who do not plan to specialize in water supply, flood control, or stormwater management, both topics are extremely useful for professional practice in land development and urban design. In addition, students who intend to pursue professional registration are advised that the breadth (morning) portion of the Principles and Practice Exam (PE) includes questions on surface and groundwater hydrology.
Graduate Classes
Students in the BS/MS program may select graduate-level Water Resources classes as technical electives. Others with excellent academic records may also be eligible to enroll in graduate classes.
Seminars
Occasionally, the Water Resources group offers special seminar classes that include hands-on field experience - for example, "Snow Hydrology" and "Hydrologic Measurements."
Research
Faculty in water resources actively include undergraduates in their research activities. One undergraduate recently received honorable mention award from the American Society of Civil Engineers for her research paper: An Assessment of Accuracy for Water Resources and )
Environmental Engineering Model Extrapolation. Other undergraduate students in water resources have participated in research on topics in GIS, hydrologic modeling, development of methods of hydrologic design, and the use of statistical analysis in hydrology. Participation in undergraduate research has helped these undergraduates get admitted to top 10 graduate programs.
On a continuous, case-by-case basis, the Water Resources faculty welcome interested, qualified undergraduate students to participate in their research.
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