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PurdueX: Computational Watershed Hydrology

Learn how to perform hydrologic analysis and modeling using real observations, geospatial data, and computational tools.

Computational Watershed Hydrology
16 weeks
5–6 hours per week
Instructor-paced
Instructor-led on a course schedule
This course is archived

About this course

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Students in this class will learn how to access and process commonly used geospatial and temporal data such as the digital elevation model (DEM), land use, soil, streamflow and precipitation using geographic information systems (GIS). After processing, students will learn how to use these data to create hydrologic and hydraulic models such as HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS and SWAT. Students will learn how to interpret model results and present information to convey the role of climate and human factors on watershed hydrology. After completing this course, students should be able to perform hydrologic and hydraulic analysis or modeling in research and professional practice to address issues related to water movement and availability in natural settings.

At a glance

  • Institution: PurdueX
  • Subject: Engineering
  • Level: Advanced
  • Prerequisites:
    • Students interested in this course are expected to have a working knowledge of ArcGIS.
    • To achieve a course certificate, students will need to have access to ArcGIS.
      • Learners may purchase a one-year license from Esri.
  • Language: English
  • Video Transcript: English
  • Associated skills:Soil Science, Research, Digital Elevation Models, Hydraulic Analysis, Hydrologic Analysis, Geographic Information Systems, Hydrology, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS (Hydrologic Modeling System), Human Factors

What you'll learn

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  • Obtain, process and analyze topography, land use, soil, hydrography, climate and streamflow data
  • Use geospatial tools such as ArcGIS and QGIS for delineating stream network and watershed boundaries
  • Develop commonly used hydrologic and hydraulic models such as HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS and SWAT for simulating hydrologic and hydraulic processes

Frequently Asked Questions

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Is a textbook required?

No, a textbook is not required for this course.

Students will need to have access to ArcGIS in order to complete some tasks within the course. A one-year license can be purchased from Esri.

Who can take this course?

Unfortunately, learners residing in one or more of the following countries or regions will not be able to register for this course: Iran, Cuba and the Crimea region of Ukraine. While edX has sought licenses from the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to offer our courses to learners in these countries and regions, the licenses we have received are not broad enough to allow us to offer this course in all locations. edX truly regrets that U.S. sanctions prevent us from offering all of our courses to everyone, no matter where they live.

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