Subject Datasheet
Completion requirements
Subject Datasheet
Download PDFI. Subject Specification
1. Basic Data
1.1 Title
Hydromorphology
1.2 Code
BMEEOVVMSFIN04-00
1.3 Type
Module with associated contact hours
1.4 Contact hours
| Type | Hours/week / (days) |
| Lecture | 1 |
| Seminar | 1 |
| Lab | 24 |
1.5 Evaluation
Exam
1.6 Credits
4
1.7 Coordinator
| name | Dr. Baranya Sándor |
| academic rank | Associate professor |
| baranya.sandor@emk.bme.hu |
1.8 Department
Department of Hydraulic and Water Resources Engineering
1.9 Website
1.10 Language of instruction
hungarian
1.11 Curriculum requirements
Compulsory in the Water and Hydro-Environmental Engineering (MSc) programme
1.12 Prerequisites
1.13 Effective date
1 September 2025
2. Objectives and learning outcomes
2.1 Objectives
The aim of the course is for students to acquire the theoretical and practical knowledge necessary for the hydromorphological description of watercourses. Accordingly, throughout the semester, the course covers:
- Flow characterization,
- Flow measurement techniques,
- Theoretical and empirical descriptions of sediment transport,
- Sediment transport measurement methods,
- Riverbed material analysis,
- Fluvial morphodynamic processes,
- A practical hydromorphological river restoration study.
Additionally, students will participate in a field measurement exercise as part of the course.
2.2 Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student:
A. Knowledge
1. Understands the description of river flows.
2. Is familiar with the most advanced flow measurement techniques.
3. Knows the theoretical and empirical descriptions of sediment transport in rivers.
4. Is familiar with state-of-the-art measurement methods for sediment transport in rivers.
5. Understands the natural morphological change processes of rivers.
B. Skills
1. Can assess which simplifications in flow descriptions can be applied to specific engineering tasks.
2. Can select appropriate flow measurement techniques for addressing different engineering problems.
3. Can estimate sediment transport quantities in rivers based on empirical methods.
4. Can determine suitable measurement techniques for sediment transport in rivers with different hydromorphological characteristics.
5. Can develop field measurement plans necessary for characterizing the hydromorphological state of watercourses.
6. Is capable of conducting a comprehensive hydromorphological assessment of watercourses.
C. Attitudes
1. Collaborates with instructors and peers in expanding knowledge.
2. Continuously enhances knowledge through ongoing learning.
3. Is open to applying new data processing methods during measurement exercises.
4. Is receptive to learning how to operate modern measuring instruments.
5. Strives for accuracy and error-free problem-solving.
D. Autonomy and Responsibility
1. Is receptive to well-founded critical feedback.
2. Independently and as part of a team, collaborates with peers to complete measurement exercises.
2.3 Methods
Lectures, practical exercises, instrument demonstrations during field measurement exercises, group measurements, and group data processing.
2.4 Course outline
1. Introductory lecture – The role of hydromorphology in civil engineering practice.
2. River restoration measures – Overview, local and reach scale
3. River restoration measures – Basin scale.
4. Flow analysis – Theoretical description of flows
5. Flow analysis – practical considerations, modern measurement methods.
6. Flow-river bed interactions, sediment transport capacity.
7. Bedload transport, measurement, and calculation methods.
8. Suspended sediment transport – Theory, measurement, and calculation methods.
9. Analysis of riverbed composition.
10. Fluvial morphodynamics – Integrated analysis of flow and sediment transport, computational methods.
11. Fluvial geomorphology, human impact on rivers.
12. Nature-based solutions in hydromorphology.
13. Characterization of river connectivity.
14. Eco-hydraulics, linking abiotic to biotic features.
During the exam period, a three-day field measurement at the BME Endre Németh Field Training and Education Center in Göd.
The above programme is tentative and subject to changes due to calendar variations and other reasons specific to the actual semester. Consult the effective detailed course schedule of the course on the subject website.
The above programme is tentative and subject to changes due to calendar variations and other reasons specific to the actual semester. Consult the effective detailed course schedule of the course on the subject website.
2.5 Study materials
a) Textbooks:
M. García et al: Sedimentation Engineering: Processes, Measurements, Modeling, and Practice, American Society of Civil Engineers, 2008 - Technology & Engineering, 1132p.
b) Online materials:
Baranya, S. et al.: Hydromorphology field course. Digital lecture notes of the field course.
2.6 Other information
Participation in the field measurement exercise is compulsory. Duration: 3 days. Location: BME Endre Németh Field Training and Education Center Date: during the examination period, in pre-assigned courses.
2.7 Consultation
The instructors are available for consultation during their office hours, as advertised on the department website at the beginning of the semester.
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2025/2026 semester II
II. Subject requirements
Assessment and evaluation of the learning outcomes
3.1 General rules
The assessment of the learning outcomes specified in Clause 2.2 above and the evaluation of student performance occurs via one homework, participation in and reporting on a field course and written exam.
3.2 Assessment methods
| Assessment Name (Type) | Code | Assessed Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Homework | HW | A.1, A.3, A.5, B.1-B.6 |
| field course (continuous performance evaluation) | FM | C.1-C.5; D.1-D.2 |
| written exam | E | A.1-A.5 |
The dates of deadlines of assignments/homework can be found in the detailed course schedule on the subject’s website.
3.3 Evaluation system
| Code | Weight |
|---|---|
| HW | 20% |
| FM | 30% |
| E | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
3.4 Requirements and validity of signature
Criterion of obtaining the signature is at least 70% attendance rate to lectures and practices and reaching at least 40% of the obtainable points of both midterm tests.
Whenever someone enrolls with an already valid signature to the normal course instead of the examination course, then his/her midterm results overrule any previous midterm results, including the validity of signature.
3.5 Grading system
| Grade | Score (P) |
|---|---|
| excellent (5) | 85≤P |
| good (4) | 70≤P<85% |
| satisfactory (3) | 55≤P<70% |
| pass (2) | 40≤P<55% |
| fail (1) | P<40% |
3.6 Retake and repeat
1) After the fee payment described in the Regulations, homework can be submitted late until the extended time limit described in the Detailed course schedule.
2) The already submitted and accepted homework can be improved without fee until the extended time limit in (1).
3) Retake, correction or replacement of field measurement practices is not possible.
3.7 Estimated workload
| Activity | Hours/Semester |
|---|---|
| contact hours | 14×2=28 |
| homework | 30 |
| preparation for field course | 8 |
| field course | 24 |
| preparation for the examination | 30 |
3.8 Effective date
1 September 2025
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2025/2026 semester II