Natural Water Systems (MLJ510)

Natural Water Systems gives an introduction to the main water systems on earth - surface waters and water systems in soil and atmosphere - salt- and fresh waters. Emphasis is put on aquatic ecology and biogeochemistry with particular focus on understanding and description of conditions and processes for analyses of aquatic environmental risk. The course contributes to the knowledge base for environmental management and for aquatic environmental technology, which are key topics for being able to fulfill the UN sustainability goals.


Course description for study year 2025-2026. Please note that changes may occur.

See course description and exam/assesment information for this semester (2024-2025)
Facts

Course code

MLJ510

Version

1

Credits (ECTS)

10

Semester tution start

Autumn

Number of semesters

1

Exam semester

Autumn

Language of instruction

English

Content

Basic knowledge of all Earth's water systems, hereunder:

  • The Atmosphere (atmospheric processes, climate and weather, hydrological cycle)
  • Freshwater systems (catchment hydrology, rivers and groundwaters, lakes and wetlands, glaciers and permafrost, particular focus on lake eutrophication and biogeochemical processes)
  • Sea water systems (ocean basins, wind and ocean circulation, waves and tides, coasts)
  • Particles in water, sedimentation and sediments (sea-, lake-, river sediments and soils)
  • Organisms and ecology (fresh- and sea water fauna, habitats and ecology)

Learning outcome

  • The student shall acquire broad basic knowledge about ecology in natural water systems, hereunder physical and climatic basics and processes, systems ecology, biology and biogeochemistry. This will form basis for conducting environmental analyses with respect to public and industrial environmental management, environmental research and development of relevant environmental technology. The approach within water systems has a general relevance to other environmental issues, and the course's scientific basis and approach will be useful in a wide specter of jobs in public administration and industrial technology development and environmental management. It also contributes to the scientific bases and understanding of subsequent courses in the environmental engineering study.

Required prerequisite knowledge

None

Recommended prerequisites

This course should be taken simultaneously with MLJ500 and MLJ530.

Exam

Form of assessment Weight Duration Marks Aid
Written exam 1/1 4 Hours Letter grades None permitted

The exam is digital.

Coursework requirements

Compulsory field- and laboratory work

Participation to combined field and lab course is mandatory and will be evaluated by a written pass/fail test.

Completion of mandatory field and lab assignments connected to the field course must be made at the times and in the groups that are assigned and published on Canvas. Absence due to illness or for other reasons must be communicated to the course responsible as soon as possible. One cannot expect that provisions for completion of the lab assignments at other times can be made, unless prior arrangements have been agreed.

Failure to have the assigned mandatory field and lab activities and pass/fail test approved will result in not being able to access the exam.

Course teacher(s)

Course coordinator:

Andrea Bagi

Coordinator laboratory exercises:

Erling Berge Monsen

Coordinator laboratory exercises:

Liv Margareth Aksland

Study Program Director:

Krista Michelle Kaster

Course teacher:

Roald Kommedal

Method of work

4-6 hours lectures per week. Field- and laboratory courses coordinated with parallel 1st semester courses.

Overlapping courses

Course Reduction (SP)
Natural Water Systems (MET150_1) 10

Open for

Admission to Single Courses at the Faculty of Science and Technology
Biological Chemistry - Master of Science Degree Programme Environmental Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme Structural and Mechanical Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme Industrial Asset Management - Master of Science Degree Programme Marine and Offshore Technology - Master of Science Degree Programme Petroleum Engineering - Master of Science Degree Programme
Exchange programme at Faculty of Science and Technology

Admission requirements

A completed bachelor’s degree

Course assessment

The faculty decides whether early dialogue should be conducted in all or selected groups of courses offered by the faculty. The purpose is to gather feedback from students for making changes and adjustments to the course during the current semester. In addition, a digital evaluation, students’ course evaluation, must be conducted at least once every three years. Its purpose is to collect students` experiences with the course.

Literature

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