Syllabus
Introduction to Water and Climate
Index
1. Introduction
1.1. Course overview
1.2. Learning objectives
1.3. What we expect from you
1.4. What you can expect from us/the course team
2. Course structure
3. Assessment
4. Resources & Tools
5. Certificate
1. Introduction
Water is essential for life on Earth and of crucial importance for society. Water also plays a major role in climate. Its natural cycle (from ocean to atmosphere by evaporation, then by precipitation back to land, and returning via rivers and aquifers to the oceans) has a decisive impact on regional and global climate patterns.
For students of engineering, climate science and environmental studies, this course offers a first introduction to the physics of water systems and their role in climate. In addition, we show you the state-of-the-art engineering interventions that can be applied to water systems. These can improve coastal safety and increase the availability of water supplies worldwide.
The course welcomes students from all over the globe, so we actively encourage discussion of water and climate issues you may experience in your neighbourhood, now and in the coming decades.
1.1. Course overview
The MOOC will cover six main topics.
Each module has been developed by experts in their respective fields, so you will learn from different lecturers. At the start of each module, each topic will be introduced in a short video, so that the course line is always clear. Max, our reporter on location, will show you examples in the environment.
Each module starts with an introduction to the topic, followed by numbered subsections with knowledge clips, movies and quizzes designed to check your knowledge. Furthermore, in each module you will find an exercise (either a discussion or a worldmap entry), a Q&A forum where you can post your questions and comments, and a subsection with graded assignments (these will have an impact if you wish to earn a certificate).
1.2. Learning objectives
After taking this course, you will be able to:
- Understand the different processes at play in the global water cycle.
- Identify and describe the flows of water and sand in different river systems, coastal systems and oceans.
- Identify mechanisms of climate change and explain the interplay between climate change, sea level, clouds, rainfall and future weather.
- Explain why, when and which engineering interventions are needed in rivers, coastal areas and urban environments.
- Explain why water for food and water for cities are the main challenges in water management and to propose solutions.
- Explain and confront the challenges in better understanding climate change on water over the coming 50 years, and adapting to its possible impacts.
1.3. What we expect from you
As an online student, we expect you to be an active participant in this course, contributing to a positive atmosphere by asking questions, sharing knowledge and helping out others, and by engaging in discussions. We encourage students to post their questions or discussions related to lectures, quizzes and assignments in the specific Discussions Exercise you'll find each week.
Please be aware that it is extremely important to follow the forum guidelines and collaboration guidelines, to respect the course policies and academic integrity.
Regarding deadlines, we expect you to keep on track in order to benefit from learning within a community. This course is meant to be a place where you learn with and from others. In this respect, we would like you to benefit from collaboration and peer-feedback, so please make sure you keep up with other participants in order to enrich the overall learning experience.
1.4. What you can expect from the Course Team
The Course Team will guide you throughout the course, launching the weekly content, promote and engage in discussions, and provide feedback regarding your performance each week. Guidance and support by the Course Team is available via the forum, on weekdays while the course is active.
2. Course structure
The course is organized in six modules, which will be covered in a period of seven weeks. A brief summary of each module is presented below. Detailed instructions and resources will be provided during the course.
Getting started (week 1)
In the Getting Started module you will get to know the course structure, familiarize yourself with the virtual learning environment, complete your profile, meet your fellow students and the Course Team.
1. Global Water Cycle (week 1 - 2)
In this module you will learn to explain the different processes of the global water cycle, like evaporation precipitation, and river run-off.
2. Water Systems (week 3)
In this module you will learn to describe the flows of water and sand in different riverine, coastal and ocean systems.
3. Water and Climate Change (week 4)
In this module you will learn to identify mechanisms of climate change and you will learn to explain the interplay between climate change, sea level, clouds, rainfall and future weather.
4. Interventions (week 5)
In this module you will learn to explain why, when and which engineering interventions are needed in rivers, at coasts and in the urban environment.
5. Water in the world (week 6)
In this module you will learn to explain why water for food and water for cities are the main challenges in water management and what the possibilities and limitations of reservoirs and groundwater are to improve water availability.
6. Challenges (week 7)
In this module you will learn to explain the challenges in better understanding and adapting to the impact of climate change on water for the coming 50 years.
3. Assessment
This course has 5 sets of Graded Assignments that you have to complete to earn a certificate (there are no graded assignments for module 6 - Challenges). Each set of assignments counts for 20% of your grade, and you have to score at least 60% of the points to successfully complete the course. You have three weeks to finish each set of Graded Assignments.
4. Resources & Tools
All educational resources will be made available online during the course. They consist of short videos and readings to support you in the completion of the weekly learning activities.
5. Certificate
If you are interested in a certificate you can upgrade to a Verified Certificate. These certificates will indicate you have successfully completed the course, but will not include a specific grade. Certificates will be issued by edX under the name of DelftX, designating the institution from which the course originated.
Generating an ID verified certificate
Verified certificates will be issued a few days after the end of the course, to all participants who achieved at least 60% of the total grade. Certificates can be downloaded from your Student Dashboard (look for the Download button next to the name of our course). You can check your grade at any time under the course’s Progress page.
An ID verified Certificate of Achievement is available for $50. You can Upgrade on your edX Dashboard to Verified during the course, until four days after the final module has been released.
Once produced, a certificate cannot be re-issued, hence it is very important that you verify the way in which your name appears. Check that, in your edx.org account, your name is correctly spelled, since it will appear on the final certificate.
LICENSE
The course materials of this course are Copyright Delft University of Technology and are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License.
If you choose to reuse or repost DelftX course materials you must give proper attribution to the original TU Delft faculty author(s). Please utilize the following citation "This material was created by or adapted from material posted on the Delftx website, delftx.tudelft.nl, and created by TU Delft faculty member (Name), (Title), (Year). DelftX is not responsible for any changes made to the original materials posted on its website and any such changes are the sole responsibility of [name of user/adapter]."
You must also include a copy of the Creative Commons license used by DelftX, with every copy of the TU Delft materials or the derivative work you create from it.
