Prerequisites (top)
Fluid Mechanics I

Texts (top)

• "Water-Resources Engineering", by Linsley, Franzini, Freyberg and Tchobanoglous,  McGraw-Hill, 1992.
• "Computer Applications in Hydraulic Engineering", Eds:  Meadows and Walski, Haestad Methods, Inc, 1997.

Goals (top)
Upon completion of the course, civil engineering students will be able to solve civil engineering analysis and design problems in areas of hydrology and hydraulics, specifically relating to:

• the movement of water through and storage in the Earth environment, and
• the movement of water through and storage of water in human-made systems.

• By preparation, I mean reading technical information before class, primarily by reading assigned material. This activity provides students with three benefits.  First, students arrive in class with some introduction to the material they are expected to learn.  Second, assigned readings often cover course topics with greater breadth and depth than can be covered in class.  Thus, student learn more. Finally, learning how to read technical information effectively takes practice, just like learning how to play a sport or musical instrument.  Many of the students taking this class will spend their careers creating and/or reading technical information.  By "struggling" through difficult readings in college, students are better prepared for work.
• You will listen to some lecture, as this is an effective way to transmit information;  however, you are also expected to discuss material with the instructor and fellow students.  I will ask questions; you will ask questions.
• Finally, you will practice.  This will be done in three ways:  working examples in class and for homework, developing web-based tutorials for important class concepts, and completing laboratories (both computer and physical).

• Quizzes:  Quizzes are used to evaluate your preparation for class.  They occur before topics are covered in class and are based on knowledge gained from assigned readings. My goal is for students to carefully read assigned material.  Students should not skim over or spend inordinate time on the readings. To help students, I provide a Class Preparation Guide.  This guide identifies concepts, pictures, figures, and tables in the readings that I particularly want you to understand.  IMPORTANT NOTE:  When I design quizzes, I assume that each student has carefully read the assigned material once, and used the study guide to identify important items for further study.  Quizzes are given twice:  once to individuals, then to small groups of students.  This helps students learn all of the topics covered on a given quiz and provides an opportunity for discussion.  When taking a group quiz, make sure that each student in your group understands the questions and answers.
• Assigned Problems:  Assigned problems are used to evaluate all of the learning activities.  Specifically, they help me evaluate your ability to define and solve problems. Your work must be your own;  however, I encourage students to compare answers.  If you discover different answers, study each others work, then rework and discuss the problem until you agree on an answer (or agree to disagree).  A Homework Guide is provided which must be followed.  Please email, phone or stop by my office if--upon reviewing the text book and class materials and discussing a problem with other students in the class--you are unable to complete a problem.
• Web Tutorials:  The ability to explain a concept or method is a good indication that you understand it.  Students, working in groups of three, will select an important topic in water resources and create an informative web-based tutorial.  This assignment will help me evaluate your understanding of and ability to explain a topic in water resources. If your product is of sufficient quality, it is expected that your tutorial will be incorporated into future course offerings (with credit duly noted). A description of the Web Tutorial Assignment is provided.
• Laboratory:  Laboratory assignments allow students to practice (a) using water resources computer models and (b) conducting physical experiments.  We will also take field trips.  Students will solve water resource problems using computer models found in the CD accompanying the second required textbook, Computer Applications in Hydraulic Engineering. Later in the semester, small groups of students will be assigned a physical laboratory, which they will be asked to demonstrate and explain to the rest of the class.  This assignment will be explained in more detail later in the class.  Because of the anticipated workload, no laboratory reports will be required.  The lab grade will be based on attendance and participation.  You receive 10 points for each lab you attend;  however, 5 points will be deducted for poor participation.
• Exams:  Two semester exams and a final will be used to test your ability to independently solve water resources problems.  These exams will be closed book and notes.  An equation sheet will be provided for study purposes and for use while taking each exam.

Turning in work, Attendance (top)
To get full credit, you must have the correct answer and show appropriate work.  Assignments are due by the beginning of the designated lecture period, unless otherwise indicated.  Late assignments can be turned in until solutions are posted, but will receive at least a 50 % grade reduction.  Some problems may require the use of spreadsheets, math solvers, computer models etc..  If you have ANY questions about a graded assignment, you must talk to me about it within a week of my return of the graded assignment to the class.  Please work together on assignments, but do not copy!  Again, compare your answers before turning in homework!  Attendance will be part of your laboratory grade.

Disabilities (top)
Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or her abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so that we can discuss accommodations necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunity.

Academic Misconduct (top)
You are encouraged to work together on assignments.  However, copying is not acceptable.  Copied assignments will receive a zero grade. Cheating on a test will cause the student to receive a zero grade, at a minimum.  If you are to miss an assignment due date, exam, quiz,  field trip, or laboratory session you must have a valid excuse and notify me prior to the event.

ASCE (top)
You are encouraged to join the American Society of Civil Engineers or other appropriate organization.  If you join (show me your membership card) and attend three on campus ASCE meetings, I will allow you to drop your lowest non-zero quiz grade.

Readings and Tentative Quiz and Test Schedule, Fall 1998 (top)

• The quizzes are based on the readings in black.  They are all from "Water-Resources Engineering".  IMPORTANT:  I have noted the sections to read in the rounded brackets. I suggest that you careful mark these sections directly in the text.
• The readings given in red and green (and in square brackets) are from "Computer Applications in Hydraulic Engineering" and "Fluid Mechanics", respectively.  They are not required; however, they may help you better understand the readings in "Water-Resources Engineering".