Program Overview

Advanced Water Cycle Management

The Advanced Water Cycle Management course is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of water resource management, water distribution, and wastewater handling. The course aims to equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze and solve current problems in the water sector.

Course Objectives

The overall goal of the course is to give students a substantial knowledge of water resource management, water distribution, and wastewater handling, including resource recovery. The course objectives include:

• Giving participants experience in applying established engineering knowledge, know-how, and state-of-the-art components in the whole water cycle.
• Enabling participants to analyze advantages, problems, and principles in water-related issues.
• Understanding how to minimize unnecessary water and energy consumption and turn wastewater treatment plants into net energy-producing facilities.

Course Content

The course will initially provide a review of the three main themes: groundwater resource management, water distribution, and wastewater handling. This will give students a general overview of the entire water cycle. After the initial week of introduction to the water cycle, participants will be divided into three groups representing the three main topics. They will receive in-depth knowledge about the chosen topic and participate in on-site visits to leading industry partners, such as Grundfos, Kamstrup A/S, and Aarhus Water.

Teaching and Examination

The course will be taught through a combination of lectures, classroom instruction, and supervision. The form of examination will be written, with a 75-minute duration. The assessment will be based on a 7-point grading scale, and no external aids will be permitted during the exam.

Requirements for Taking the Exam

To take the exam, students must have full course attendance and pass the group oral presentation/examination.

Course Details

• ECTS: 5
• Level: Master
• Location: Aarhus
• Type of course: Summer University
• Primary programme: Master's Degree Programme in Biotechnology and Chemical Engineering
• Related programmes: Bachelor's Degree Programme in Biotechnology, Bachelor's Degree Programme in Chemical Engineering
• Department: Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering
• Faculty: Technical Sciences
• Maximum number of participants: 50

Application Process and Important Deadlines

• All students must apply for the course via the AU Summer University website.
• The application system is open from 3 February to 18 March.
• A motivated application and CV must be uploaded during the application process.

Academic Prerequisites

The application should hold one of the following degrees or similar:

• Bachelor in biological or chemical engineering, or similar
• Bachelor in bioscience
• Bachelor in geoscience
• Bachelor in agroecology
• Bachelor of engineering or Bachelor student (diplomingeniør) (4.-7. Semester)
• Bachelor of Technology Management

Language of Instruction

The language of instruction is English.

Hours, Week, Period

Teaching will take place from 10 August to 23 August 2025, with 12-14 hours of instruction per day over a two-week period.

Course Fee

A course fee is required to participate in the course, which covers mandatory accommodation and food.

Literature

The literature used in the course will be in the form of distributed notes, including relevant review papers.

Instructors

The course responsible teacher is Associate Professor Thomas William Seviour, Department of Biological and Chemical Engineering, Centre for Water Technology - WATEC. Other instructors include industry experts from companies such as AVK Holding A/S, Grundfos Holding A/S, and Aarhus Water.