Hydrogeology GEOL 3320
Fall 2014
Lab: T 1-4 PM SCI 134
Lecture: T, TH 10:50-12:05 SCI 134
Instructor: Dr. Carol Thompson
Office- 139D Science, Ext 9739
cthompson@tarleton.edu
Office Hrs: T, Th 9:30-10:30, other times email to set up appt
Texts: None, readings will be assigned – on-line, BB, library
I have used Applied Hydrogeology (Fetter) in the past. It does have a lot of problem examples. Another book is
Fundamentals of GW (Schwartz and Zhang).
Bring your calculator to class.
Other materials needed: Pencils, colored pencils, erasers (lots), ruler, tracing paper, graph paper including log
and semi-log (can be printed as needed from below). You need a good conversion table. Things that might be
handy : a square edge, protractor
http://incompetech.com/graphpaper/logarithmic/
http://www.csun.edu/science/ref/measurement/data/graph_paper.html
Blackboard
Copies of syllabus, class info, grades, links, slides
Knowledge and Skill Outcomes
Upon completion of this course students will: understand the processes in the water cycle. understand the proper
methods for hydrogeologic evaluation, understand proper well analysis methods, be able to list common water
contaminants and their sources. They will also be able to use some of the tools of the research and professional
hydrogeologist, describe the processes in the hydrologic cycle and explain how rates of each are quantified, use
lab and non-lab methods to estimate values of porosity, specific yield, permeability, and hydraulic conductivity
for any given type of porous medium, describe a hydrogeologic setting in terms of aquifers, aquitards, and
hydrostratigraphic units, know the basics of aquifer testing and be able to interpret aquifer test results, use well
logs, regional geologic data, surface water records, and other hydrogeologic data to construct hydrogeologic
cross sections and maps for a given area
Grading:
Exams (3)
Homework
Labs
60%
20%
20%
Plagarism is unacceptable. Homework and lab reports are to be completed individually in your own
words/calculations although you may work in a group of no larger than three unless otherwise assigned.
This course will demand a great deal of effort and time. There is a lot of math - an understanding of algebra and
trigonometry is assumed as background as well as dimensional analysis. We will work with logarithms as well.
You have to remember some chemistry too. We will have homework assigned for every week at a minimum,
sometimes daily. We have labs that are extensive and require thinking. That said you should not feel
overwhelmed. The class is not that hard if you keep up and ask for help when you need it. Remember the
ability to succeed is partially attitude.
http://www.chem.tamu.edu/class/fyp/mathrev/mathrev.html (Math skills review from TAMU Chem)
Labs
We will be doing some labs as interactive exercises so you need to be there. We work on the week’s assigned
lab, not homework, not past labs. If you want help on other things, schedule a time with me outside of lab.
Homework is placed in the powerpoints. This should result in less confusion as to what is due when. This will
become a problem for you, however, if you miss class. They will be due the next lecture class period after
assigned. Homework should be turned in with complete solutions, not just answers. Make sure I can read it.
Feel free to use any graphical package you are familiar with to solve any of the problems. I will require it for
some things and this is a good way to get familiar with computer capabilities. Ask for help anytime you need it.
I don't know if you aren't understanding something, so you need to let me know. Keep up with the homework.
Don’t leave it until the night or morning before it’s due: many of the problems will take a while to do.
Review sessions – I will be glad to have review sessions for tests but they will need to be scheduled at times
other than class times.
UNIVERSITY POLICIES
I. Tarleton State University’s Policy on Cheating: Tarleton State University expects its students to maintain
high standards of personal and scholarly conduct. Students guilty of academic dishonesty, cheating, or
plagiarism in academic work shall be subject to disciplinary action. Refer to the Student Handbook for detailed
information regarding this subject.
II. Services for Students with Disabilities: It is the policy of Tarleton State University to comply with the
Americans with Disabilities Act and other applicable laws. If you are a student with a disability seeking
accommodations for this course, please contact the Center for Access and Academic Testing, at 254.968.9400
or caat@tarleton.edu. The office is located in Math 201. More information can be found
at www.tarleton.edu/caat or in the University Catalog.
Below is an exceedingly tentative outline. We might move faster or slower or I may change my mind.
Dates
Class Topics
Lab
8/26; 28
Class intro, Groundwater
Math skills
9/2, 4
Aquifer characteristics
Porosity/Permeability/ Mapping
9/9, 11
Aquifer characteristics, Unconsolidated
Haz waste 1
9/10
Last day to drop no record
9/16, 18
Unconsolidated, Consolidated
Sand Tanks
9/23, 25
Groundwater flow
Test 1
9/30. 10/2
Well tests
Aquifer test problems
10/7, 9
Well tests
Aquifer test problems
10/14, 16
Well tests, Chemistry
Computer solutions/Slug tests
10/21, 23
Hydrochemistry
Field slug test
10/28, 30
Hydrochemistry/ Mass Transport
Test 2
10/31
Last day to Q drop or W
11/4, 6
Mass Transport, GW-SW
Haz waste 2
11/11, 13
GW-SW, Env Isotopes
GW chemistry problems
11/18, 20
GW hazards-subsidence, saline water
Haz waste 3
11/25
GW management
GW-SW problems
12/2
GW management
TH 12/11
Test 3 3:00-5:30