ENCE 688D
Numerical Modeling for Water Resources
and Environmental Engineering

Spring 1999, MW 3:30pm-4:45pm
EGR (Engineering Classroom Bldg.) 1104


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Instructor: Kaye L. Brubaker
Office: EGR 1159
Phone: 301-405-1965
Fax: 301-405-2585 (Department Fax -- please advise by phone or email if sending fax)
Email: klbrubak@eng.umd.edu

Summary:
A rigorous introduction to the development and use of numerical models for water resources applications. Emphasis will be on understanding models as tools: where they come from, what they do, and their strengths and limitations. The goal of the course is to help students become wise users of models, not necessarily model-builders. Students will write and use computer programs in exercises designed to illustrate various modeling concepts. Examples will include both quantity and quality issues in surface and subsurface environments.
Topics (Preliminary):
  • Finite Difference and Finite Element representations
  • The Modeling Process (specification, selection, preliminary application, sensitivity, calibration, validation, robustness, management application, post-audit)
  • Relationship of Model and Data (effects of uncertainty and measurement scale)

    Textbook:
  • Surface Water Quality Modeling, by Stephen C. Chapra, 1997 (Click on the author's name to see a nice picture and short bio)
    Prerequisites:
  • Graduate-level course work in one of the following: hydrology, hydraulics, or environmental chemistry
  • Math: Ordinary Differential Equations; some experience with Partial Differential Equations; Basic Probability and Statistics
  • Basic mastery of a programming language, or willingness to learn (Matlab is the course standard)
  • Permission of Dept. and Instructor

    Examinations

    Take-Home Midterm will be distributed Monday, Mar. 29 (upon return from Spring Break) and will be due Monday, Apr. 5. The midterm will cover all the class material up to -- not including -- Chapter 8, Incompletely Mixed Systems.

    Homework Assignments

    Homework #1

    Homework #2 and associated Matlab scripts cstr.m , lambda.m , gensoln.m , impuload.m , stepload.m , lineload.m , sineload.m , and expoload.m

    Homework #3

    Homework #4 starts with an exercise using examp7_1.m . Here is a matlab script containing the analytical solution to Problem 6.4(c) and the 4th order Runge-Kutta solution.

    Homework #5 and a matlab script for Textbook Example 9.2

    Homework #6 (Note: Problem 12.2 moved to HW 7)

    Homework #7

    Homework #8 and the Kinematic wave matlab script.

    Link to a former version of this page, for Fall 1997 offering of "Numerical Modeling for Water Resources & Environmental Engineering"

    [Mail] Click here to E-mail questions or comments.

    Copyright 1998 Kaye Brubaker
    Created 2 November 1998
    Last Modified 15 April 1999