Subject Datasheet
Completion requirements
Subject Datasheet
Download PDFI. Subject Specification
1. Basic Data
1.1 Title
Groundwater
1.2 Code
BMEEOVVMSFIN07-00
1.3 Type
Module with associated contact hours
1.4 Contact hours
| Type | Hours/week / (days) |
| Lecture | 1 |
| Seminar | 1 |
1.5 Evaluation
Midterm grade
1.6 Credits
3
1.7 Coordinator
| name | Dr. Hajnal Géza |
| academic rank | Associate professor |
| hajnal.geza@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
Recommended elective in the Specialization in 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 to introduce the student to the groundwater flow process. The different forms of underground water: soil moisture, phreatic and confined groundwater, karstic water, thermal and mineral water, and their most important characteristics. The two and three phase movement of groundwater in porous media and in fractured rocks, water bodies with different density, transport phenomenon in groundwater. The estimation of the effects of planned interventions on the groundwater (e.g. dewatering, new lakes, etc.), and the effect of groundwater on the underground part of structures. The development of complex attitude of mind with the help of case studies.
2.2 Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject, the student:
A. Knowledge
1. will be aware of the general terminology of hydrogeology
2. will be aware of the general equations describing seepage and groundwater flow
3. will be aware of the the hydraulic characteristics of aquifers and their determination
4. will be aware of the general equations describing transport processes in groundwater
5. will be aware of the basic idea of the calculation of underground water balance
6. will be aware of the determination possibilities of the perneability
7. will be aware of the methods to be applied in case of compound hydrogeological systems (e,g. karstic of thermal water)
B. Skills
1. will be able to describe groundwater flow systems with the proper hydraulic models,
2. will be able to set and analyse the water balance of groundwater bodies
3. will be able to identify simple problems of groundwater hydraulics, to find the theoretical backgrounds and to formulate the solution
4. will be able to identify and solve simple problems of the protection of recharge area,
5. will be able to solve problems of medium size computational requirements in the field of groundwater flow, based on the knowledge collected in the field of informatics
6. will be able to present their results in proper written form,
C. Attitudes
1. collaborates with the teachers and their mates in gaining knowledge,
2. follows the lectures, makes effort to understand the study material,
3. strives for the proper identification of problems in connection with the underground water bodies and their proper solution,
4. strives for accuracy in their calculations/solutions,
5. realizes the importance of the effects of human activities on the environment.
D. Autonomy and Responsibility
1. will be independent in problem statements and solutions in case of groundwater flow problems.
2. will be open to careful and deep going critique.
3. collaborates with the mates to solve technical problems in some cases, as a group member.
4. understands the complexity, comprehensiveness of the problems and recognizing the synergies.
2.3 Methods
Lectures for the theoretical backgrounds, simple examples to show its the applicability. The analysis of the main steps of the solution of the homeworks, individual and group consultation
2.4 Course outline
1. Types of Underground Water and their Description Possibilities
2. Hydraulic Basis, Basic Equations
3. Steady and Unsteady Horizontal
4. Horizontal 2D Groundwater Flow
5. Flow Near Wells and Well Fields
6. Transport Processes in Groundwater
7. Data Requirements in Connection with Groundwater Flow
8 Pumping Tests, Design and Evaluation
9. Field Measurements, a Link with Geotechnics
10. Water Balance. Karstic Water.
11. Water Abstraction. Bank Infiltration. Protection of Wells
12. Mineral and Thermal Water
13. Consultations
14. Summary
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) Books:
Bear, J.: Hydraulics of Groundwater. McGraw-Hill Inc. New-York, 1979
Bear, J. - Verruijt, A.: Modelling Groundwater Flow and Pollution. D. Reidel Publishing Company, Dordrecht, 1987.
Verruijt, A.: Theory of Groundwater Flow. Macmillan Civil Engineering Hydraulics Series. Macmillan and Co. Ltd. London, 1970.
Wang, H. F. - Anderson, M. P.: Introduction to Groundwater Flow Modelling. Finite Difference and Finite Element Methods. W.H.Freeman and Company, San Francisco, 1982.
b) Online materials: materials uploaded to the web site of the subject, e.g.:
Lecture notes, electronic lecture notes,
Slides of lectures and practices,
2.6 Other information
None.
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 a midterm test and four homework assigments.
3.2 Assessment methods
| Assessment Name (Type) | Code | Assessed Learning Outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| 1st homework | HW1 | A.1-A.2; B.1, B.3, B.5; C.2-C.5; D.1-D.2 |
| 2nd homework | HW2 | A.1, A.4; B.4, B.5; C.2-C.5; D.1-D.2 |
| 3rd homework | HW3 | A.1, A.3, A.6; B.4, B.5; C.2-C.5; D.1-D.2 |
| 4th homework | HW4 | A.1, A.7; B.1, B.6; C.1, C.2, C.4, C.5; D.2-D.4 |
| midterm test | MT | A.1-A.7; B.2, B.6; D.4 |
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 |
|---|---|
| HW1 | 12.5% |
| HW2 | 12.5% |
| HW3 | 12.5% |
| HW4 | 12.5% |
| MT | 50% |
| Total | 100% |
3.4 Requirements and 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. The homeworks – after the payment of the fee as described in the Regulations – can be submitted with delay until the last day of the supplementary week, until 12:00 a.m..
2. The submitted and accepted homework can be corrected without any fee until the deadline described in the point 1.
3. The midterm test can be retaken once without any fee at the time given Detailed class schedule. The grade to be considered is the more favorable for the student.
4. If a sudent cannot achieve a grade at least 'pass' with the help of the retake given in point 3), there is a second retake possibility after the payment of a fee given in then regulations. The time of this extra retake is also given in the Detailed class schedule.
3.7 Estimated workload
| Activity | Hours/Semester |
|---|---|
| Contact hours | 2x14=28 |
| preparation for the test | 12 |
| preparation of the homeworks | 4x11=44 |
| Home studying of the written material | 6 |
3.8 Effective date
1 September 2025
This Subject Datasheet is valid for:
2025/2026 semester II