MSc HydrogeologyMSc Hydrogeologyat the at the at the at the

University of LeedsUniversity of Leeds

Why a course in hydrogeology?

Our groundwater resources are at risk from a wide variety of contamination

and over-abstraction, both past and present. Climate change also has

implications which are still to be explored. The recent EU Water

Framework is driving changes in water resource management practice,

presenting the water industry with new challenges. In fact, the global

preservation of groundwater resources is regarded as one of the biggest

challenges of the 21st century.

Meeting these challenges requires a steady supply of graduate

hydrogeologists. This 1-year, MSc course in Hydrogeology at Leeds is

Entry requirementsApplication are welcome from students with a first or upper second class

degree, or the overseas equivalent, in a geoscience or related subject

including geology, geophysics, engineering, environmental science,

physics, chemistry or applied mathematics.

MSc Hydrogeology Programme specificationThe course is designed to give a thorough grounding in all aspects of

hydrogeology. The course at Leeds includes, as distinctive features, the

chemistry of pollutants and their remediation, groundwater modeling,

fractured aquifers and exploitation of ground source heat.

hydrogeologists. This 1-year, MSc course in Hydrogeology at Leeds is

designed to meet the present day needs of the water industry. The course

has proved popular with around 7-15 students per year.

The course is ICE (Institute of Civil Engineers) accredited and holds the

internationally recognised EUR-ACE Label.

The School of Earth and EnvironmentThe MSc Hydrogeology is one of ten MSc courses offered by the School of

Earth and Environment at the University of Leeds which has one of the

largest taught postgraduate communities in the UK. As an MSc

Hydrogeology student, you will interact with many students from other MSc

courses, further widening your horizons and experience.

Course Structure

Compulsory modules Credits Sem

Hydrogeology and contaminant processes 15 1 & 2

Advanced Hydrogeology 25 1 & 2

Hydrochemistry field and Lab Skills 20 1

Geochemistry of Groundwater Pollutants and their Remediation

10 2

Groundwater Modelling 15 1 & 2

Hillslope Hydrology and River DischargeAnalysis

15 1

Geological models and ground investigation 20 2

Hydrogeology: Project and Dissertation 60 2

Field tripsThe lectures and practical classes are complimented and reinforced through

a number of field trips where students get the chance to put theory into

practice. These trips include visits to major aquifers such as the Chalk, the

Lincolnshire Limestone and the Carboniferous Limestone Aquifers), aquifer

testing techniques, chemical analysis of waters in the field, fracture

surveying, and core and geophysical borehole logging. Four field trips form

an important part of modules in the MSc course. These are:

• Hydrochemistry of the River Aire and the Yorkshire Dales

• Hydrogeology of the Lincolnshire Limestone and North Norfolk

• Hydrogeology of the Chalk Aquifer in east Yorkshire

• Hydrogeology and landslides in the Peak District.

Project and DissertationEach student undertakes an independent project over a period of four

Industry linksThe MSc course maintains good links with industry through prizes (White

Young Green Environmental and Wardell Armstrong), course software

supplied by ESI Ltd. and Golder Associates, talks on current activities in the

water industry and in a wide range of MSc projects offered. The Environment

Agency has also supported 2 students to take the course part-time.

Employment Prospects An MSc is the expected qualification for working as a hydrogeologist in the

water industry. A number of our past students have specifically returned from

industry in order to improve their qualifications and career prospects. The

vast majority of our past students have secured jobs in the water industry or

gone on to further degrees (e.g. PhD). With an MSc in hydrogeology

students can expect to find employment principally with environmental and

engineering consultancies and water companies both in the UK and abroad.

Recently, job prospects for hydrogeologists in the nuclear and mining months starting in May. Many projects involve collaboration with industry -

the Environment Agency, water companies, environmental and engineering

consultancies – while others are linked to current research in the School.

There is scope for students to design their own projects, particularly where

they have contacts with industry, subject to final approval by academic staff.

Some past projects include:

• What can subsidence hollows tell us about hydrogeological processes? A

case study at Darlington and Ripon, NE England (2006) – with BGS

• Groundwater-surface water interaction on the Magnesian Limestone in the

Tadcaster area (2008) – with JBA Skipton and the EA

• Impact assessment of a warm water discharge in the Sherwood Sandstone

at Selby, North Yorkshire (2008) - with Arup and the EA

Recently, job prospects for hydrogeologists in the nuclear and mining

industries, particularly abroad, are providing new opportunities for graduates.

Starting salaries are around £20,000 - £25,000 pa.

More information and instructions on how to apply is available on the School web site:

http://www.see.leeds.ac.uk/study/masters/courses/msc_hydrogeologyfront.htm

MSC Hydrogeology

at the University of Leeds