The Thames Introduction to River Science

2/29327
label Diverse autorenew 2025-09-29, 17:01 history_edu Ioana Dinescu
Introducing the fascinating multidisciplinary subject of river science, this course not only provides scientific knowledge and understanding, but also develops the practical skills relevant to all aspects of river science using the mighty Thames as its living laboratory.Through a combination of lectures, tutorials, lab and field work, you'll discover Hydrogeomorphology.

You'll develop an excellent foundation knowledge of the physical aspects of river environments by studying basic channel hydrology, dimensions of catchments and river systems, connectivity between catchments, rivers and their floodplains, and the interdependency of hydrological, geomorphological and ecological processes.Then we'll move on to Water Quality, and the chance to develop your practical skills and a basic understanding of water chemistry with hands-on experience of techniques and technologies for chemical analysis and monitoring of the aquatic environments.

Finally, we'll focus on River Ecology, examining the dynamic relationships between aquatic environments and resident animals and plants. Largely field-based, you will be introduced to algae, macrophytes, macroinvertebrates and fish while gaining a valuable skill set in sampling methods, identification and understanding of the roles these organisms can play in assessing environmental quality.The module will introduce the multidisciplinary subject of river science. This module is designed to provide introductory scientific knowledge and understanding and to develop practical skills relevant to all aspects of river science. Each week will follow a major theme in river science (hydrogeomorphology, water chemistry and river ecology). Hydrogeomorphology - This part of the module will provide knowledge of the physical aspects of river environments.

To achieve this the following topics will be covered: basic channel hydrology, dimensions of catchments and river systems, connectivity between catchments, rivers and their floodplains, and the interdependency of hydrological, geomorphological and ecological processes. Water Quality - Largely practically-based, this part of the module aims to provide a basic understanding of water chemistry. It will also provide hands-on experience of techniques and technologies for chemical analysis and monitoring of the aquatic environments. River Ecology - This part of the module will provide a basic understanding of the inter-relationships between aquatic environments and resident animals and plants. Largely field-based, you will be introduced to algae, macrophytes, macroinvertebrates, and fish with a goal of learning sampling methods, identification and roles these organisms can play in assessing environmental quality. The module will be delivered via lectures, tutorials, lab and fieldwork exercises.

Period
01-07-2013 - 19-07-2013 (3 weeks)

Target group
This course is open to all students interested in this subject.



Course aim
The module will introduce you to the multidisciplinary subject of river science. This module is designed to provide introductory scientific knowledge and understanding and to develop practical skills relevant to all aspects of river science. Each week will follow a major theme in river science (hydrogeomorphology, water chemistry and river ecology).

Credits
7.5 ECTS credits

Many of our students get credit for the summer courses taken at Kings. You should approach your home university before applying to find out whether they accept our courses for credit. We would recommend a three-week course to be equivalent 4 US credits or 7.5 ECTS, for instance.

Course fee
GBP 1350: tuition fee only

Course leader
Dr Michael Chadwick is an Aquatic Ecologist interested in exploring both applied and basic ecological questions.

King's College London
Address: Strand, London
Postal code: WC2R 2LS
City: London
Country: United Kingdom
Website: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/summerschool
E-mail: summerschool@kcl.ac.uk
Phone: +44 20 7848 1533