Program Overview

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Program Overview

The University of Copenhagen offers a Master's program in Numerical Modelling in Fluvial, Coastal, Estuarine, and Marine Environment. This program is part of the MSc Programme in Geography and Geoinformatics and the MSc Programme in Geology-Geoscience.

Program Description

The program aims to provide students with theoretical knowledge on detailed hydrodynamic and geomorphic processes related to the transport of sediment in fluvial, estuarine, and coastal environments. The course consists of two main parts:

• Calculation and numerical modelling of water flow, sediment transport, and morphological change in fluvial and estuarine environments using the DHI-MIKE 11 model complex.
• Calculation and numerical modeling of hydrodynamics, non-cohesive sediment transport, shoreline erosion, and cross-shore profile development in wave-dominated coastal environments, using the DHI-LITPACK model complex.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will have acquired the following knowledge and skills:

• Knowledge of waves and currents in coastal environments, wave theories, currents and discharge in rivers and estuaries, sediment dynamics, and sediment transport in coastal, fluvial, and estuarine environments.
• Skills to use numerical modelling to simulate hydrodynamics and sediment transport using the DHI modelling tools MIKE11 and LITPACK.
• Ability to delimit, prepare, and accomplish solutions of fluvial and tidal problem complexes using MIKE11.
• Understanding of the principles behind nearshore wave transformation and the ability to calculate those transformations using MATLAB.
• Ability to account for nearshore processes derived from wave transformations.
• Ability to delimit, prepare, and accomplish solutions of coastal and marine problem complexes using LITPACK.
• Familiarity with other models within the DHI model complex, such as MIKE FLOOD and MIKE21.

Competences

Students will be able to analyze, assess, and apply results, methods, theory, and data in connection with numerical modelling in the fluvial, coastal, estuarine, and marine environment.

Literature

Please refer to the Absalon course page for literature details.

Academic Qualifications

To be eligible for the program, students must have a BSc in Geography and Geoinformatics or equivalent, or a BSc in Geology-Geoscience or equivalent.

Teaching and Learning Methods

The program combines theory exercises with ad hoc lectures. The teaching plan is available on Absalon.

Workload

The program consists of:

• Preparation: 136 hours
• Project work: 35 hours
• Theory exercises: 35 hours
• Total: 206 hours

Exam

The program is assessed through a written examination and an oral examination, 20 minutes. The written assignment is prepared during the course and must be handed in prior to the exam week. The oral exam uses the written assignment as its point of departure.

Aid

The exam is taken without aids.

Marking Scale

The program uses a 7-point grading scale.

Censorship Form

There is no external censorship, and several internal examiners are involved.

Criteria for Exam Assessment

Please refer to the learning outcomes for criteria details.

Course Information

• Language: English
• Course code: NGEA09056U
• Credit: 7.5 ECTS
• Level: Full Degree Master
• Duration: 1 block
• Placement: Block 3
• Schedule: A (Tues 8-12 + Thurs 8-17)
• Course capacity: No limitations
• Continuing and further education: Available

Study Board

The program is overseen by the Study Board of Geosciences and Management.

Contracting Department

The Department of Geoscience and Natural Resource Management is responsible for the program.

Course Responsibles

The course is led by Troels Aagaard.