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2025-2026 / ENVT3046-1

Pressures on the underground

Part 1: geological map

Part 2 : groundwater

Duration

Part 1: geological map : 4h Th, 4h Pr
Part 2 : groundwater : 12h Th, 12h Pr

Number of credits

 Master in environmental sciences and management, professional focus4 crédits 

Lecturer

Part 1: geological map : Léna Cauchie
Part 2 : groundwater : Philippe Orban

Coordinator

Philippe Orban

Language(s) of instruction

French language

Organisation and examination

Teaching in the second semester

Schedule

Schedule online

Units courses prerequisite and corequisite

Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program

Learning unit contents

Part 1: geological map

How to use the many data represented on a geological map?

(1) Short presentation of the different rock types and their spatial organization;

(2) the geological map: use and examples;

(3) the geological map on the field.

Part 2 : groundwater

An introduction of the fundamentals of hydrogeology and groundwater are proposed in this course:

- Introduction - Definitions: groundwater resources advantages and drawbacks, relative importance in the world, in Belgium, in Walloon region.

- Hydrological cycle and water balance of a basin, groundwater reserves.

- Confined, water table and perched aquifers: definitions and examples, importance of a clear geological understanding when defining hydrogeological conditions.

- Hydrogeological parameters and groundwater flow equations: hydrostatic, porosities, hydraulic conductivity and Darcy's law,  application, piezometric maps, application examples,specific storage coefficient

Learning outcomes of the learning unit

Part 1: geological map

To understand a geological map and to be able to extract the information useful for environment management.

Part 2 : groundwater

At the end of the course, the student will have a good understanding and knowledge about groundwater aquifers. He will be able to:

- compute a hydrogeologic water budget;

- understand and exploite theoretical and practical hydrogeological concepts;

- interprete hydrogeological maps;

- draw and interprete piezometric maps;

- predict and detect local hydrogeological specificities of a study-site;

Exercices and practical courses will help each student to develop his self-sufficient capacities on practical and real case studies.

Prerequisite knowledge and skills

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

The course is composed of "ex-cathedra" lectures, and directed exercises sessions.

The exercises sessions are organised in direct relation with the topics covered by the theory lectures.

Part 2 : groundwater

Face-to-face lessons.

Alternating between theory lessons, practical sessions, demonstrations and equipment presentations.

Mode of delivery (face to face, distance learning, hybrid learning)

Face-to-face course

Part 1: geological map

Face-to-face course

Part 2 : groundwater

Face-to-face course

Course materials and recommended or required readings

Part 1: geological map

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Slides are available on myULiège after lectures.

Textbook:

BOULVAIN, F. & VANDER AUWERA, J., 2011. Géologie de terrain. De l'affleurement au concept. Ellipses (Technosup), Paris, 159 pp.
http://www.geolsed.ulg.ac.be/carto/carto.htm

Part 2 : groundwater

Platform(s) used for course materials:
- eCampus


Further information:

Slides are available on e-campus after lectures.

Textbook:

- Fetter C.W., 2001, Applied Hydrogeology (4th Edition), Prentice Hall, 598 p

- Dassargues A., 2020, Hydrogéologie Appliquée-Science et Ingénierie des Eaux Souterraines; Dunod: Paris, France,

Assessment methods and criteria

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )


Further information:

Additional information:

A written exam intergrating the two parts of the course is organised in June and in September sessions. The allocation of points is as follows: 1/3 geological maps; 2/3 aquifers.

With open questions, the evaluation is based mainly on understanding the concepts and processes, but it requires also memorisation. Indeed, a good knowledge and perfect command of the fundamentals are needed for preparing accurate and adequate answers.

Part 1: geological map

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )


Further information:

An integrated exam is organised for both parts of the course.

The weighting applied between the parts is as follows: 1/3 for the "Geological Maps" part, 2/3 for the "Groundwater" part.

Part 2 : groundwater

Exam(s) in session

Any session

- In-person

written exam ( open-ended questions )


Further information:

An integrated exam is organised for both parts of the course.

The weighting applied between the parts is as follows: 1/3 for the "Geological Maps" part, 2/3 for the "Groundwater" part.

Work placement(s)

Organizational remarks

The lectures will be given on the Arlon Campus.

Contacts

Part 1: geological map

lena.cauchie@uliege.be

Part 2 : groundwater

Philippe Orban

04/3662359

P.Orban@uliege.be

Association of one or more MOOCs