Course subjects cover classroom lectures, exercises and fieldwork as well as an excursion to a relevant Institution. During the course, the participants will be exposed to innovative concepts and approaches in a multidisciplinary environment.

Learning objectives

The objective of this course is to acquaint participants with the principles, techniques and management issues used in water quality description, monitoring and assessment.

Target group

This course is aimed at professionals involved in water quality monitoring and assessment of surface waters, e.g. stationed at river agencies and at governmental and district water management authorities.

Course content

This three weeks course offers the following subject matters:

Water quality and monitoring: natural water quality and water pollution; designing and optimization of water quality monitoring programmes; physico-chemical and biological water quality assessment; groundwater quality monitoring.
Data analysis and presentation: descriptive statistics; statistical testing; using significance levels in water quality monitoring; regression analysis; exercises; presentation of data.
Aquatic ecotoxicology: Environmental characteristics of pollutants; sources, transport and fates; modelling; risk assessment.
Water quality modelling: definitions and concepts; mathematical backgrounds; modelling BOD/DO in a river system using the SOBEK model; modeling the Danube river water quality; case studies and hands-on computer exercises.
Fieldwork water quality monitoring: water and sediment sampling; storage and preservation methods; field measurements.
Excursion in the field of water quality monitoring and/or modelling.

Examination

It is possible to take part in the examination of this short course. If you obtain a passing mark for this examination and return to UNESCO-IHE within four years after completion of the short course to follow a full MSc programme, you will receive exemption for this short course/module. The costs for this exam are €250 extra and should be borne by yourself. Taking part in the examination is not compulsory.