- Docente: Valentina Ciriello
- Credits: 6
- SSD: ICAR/01
- Language: English
- Moduli: Valentina Ciriello (Modulo 1) Vittorio Di Federico (Modulo 2)
- Teaching Mode: Traditional lectures (Modulo 1) Traditional lectures (Modulo 2)
- Campus: Bologna
- Corso: Second cycle degree programme (LM) in Environmental Engineering (cod. 8894)
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from Sep 17, 2025 to Oct 30, 2025
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from Nov 05, 2025 to Dec 18, 2025
Learning outcomes
Students of this course will learn advanced methods and models to predict the vulnerability of a water body to natural and anthropic pressures and evaluate the risk of water scarcity or poor quality under current and future conditions. In particular, the course will address the following main contents: analytical and numerical models of flow and contaminant transport, data-driven and risk assessment methods, and laws of similarity for model tests in hydraulics.
Course contents
- LEARNING MODULE 1
- Analytical and numerical modeling of flow processes in natural domains
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Analytical and numerical modeling of transport processes
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Risk and sensitivity analysis
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Monitoring and data-driven methods for the analysis of water bodies
- Introduction to geostatistics
- LEARNING MODULE 2
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Dimensionless numbers and laws of similarity for model tests in hydraulics
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Hydraulic measurements
Readings/Bibliography
Teaching material is provided on the platform "Virtuale". This material covers the whole content of the course and it is updated every year.
In addition, students may refer to
Fetter C.W., Applied Hydrogeology, Fourth Edition, Pearson Prentice Hall, 2001.
Other reading material will be provided during the course.
Teaching methods
Class hours consist of regular lectures. Case studies are examined during the lectures and exercises are proposed to students. Laboratory hours, held at the Hydraulic Engineering Lab, aim at illustrating advanced measurement tools employed in hydraulic engineering.
Assessment methods
Achievements will be assessed by means of a final exam. This is based on an analytical assessment of the expected learning outcomes described above. To properly assess such achievement, a written examination is administered. This consists of 3 questions about theoretical aspects and practical applications developed and discussed during the class. Some concepts will be verified with homework that will contribute to 50% of the evaluation. Key concepts of the class regard modeling strategies to interpret flow and transport processes in natural systems.
Higher grades will be awarded to students who demonstrate an organic understanding of the subject, a high ability for a critical application, and a clear and concise presentation of the contents. To obtain a passing grade, students are required to at least demonstrate a knowledge of the key concepts of the subject, some ability for a critical application, and a comprehensible use of technical language. A failing grade will be awarded if the student shows knowledge gaps in key concepts of the subject, inappropriate use of language, and/or logic failures in the analysis of the subject.
Teaching tools
PC, projector
Office hours
See the website of Valentina Ciriello
See the website of Vittorio Di Federico
SDGs



This teaching activity contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals of the UN 2030 Agenda.