Education programmes .. Science .. Hydrogeology

The field

Science

Type of certificate

Bachelor degree

Name of certificate

Certificate in Ecology

The specialization

Hydrogeology

Place and address of the program

Damascus- Baramkeh
Telephone: 0093-011-2121978
 0093-011-3392-4966
Fax: 00963-011-2119896

Aims of the department

The goal of Ecology department at Damascus University can be summarized by clarifying the role of ecology in diagnosing the environmental problems, identifying their factors whether they are natural or cultural, and examining the tools of treating them. In addition to reacting against the dangers of these problems and confronting them. Responding to the request of Syrian society and keeping updated with international developments to preserve environment and protect it from pollution, working in this department is considered necessary and vital request.
To support the role of university for achieving more progression and development, the department of Ecology looks forward to be the pioneer in educational, academic, and research scopes to contribute in developing the local society, which can be done by two ways. Firstly, it graduates high qualified students and establishes institutions serving the society. Secondly, through developing the scientific and technical scopes, studies, and applied researches needed. This department depends on expert staff and uses modern and specialized laboratories to study the relationship between the modern, specialized and physical processes and the biotic chemical ones in order to find solutions to environmental problems

Conditions of acceptance

  • Having a scientific baccalaureate by 1800 degree at least and
  • applying to the system of the university’s acceptance

Preferable skills

  • The graduate will gain scientific and developed understand to the relationship between humans and their environment for applying the scientific progression, modern techniques, policies, and programs in order to solve the complex environmental problems and understand the environmental issues and their effects on consuming extra energy.
  • He/she will be able to observe and study environment pollution and invent practical ways to decrees all kinds of pollution. 
  • He/she will be able to manage getting rid of industrial and dangerous waste in a scientific way

Number of enrolled students per year

500 students.

Length of study

Four years

Language of study

Arabic

Sectors of careers that are worked in

Teaching in schools and universities.
  • In the institutions that concern with environmental issues.
  • In the ministries of Energy, Environment, Industry, and organizations of Environment Quality.
  • In centers of studies and scientific researches, laboratories, and centers of researches at universities.
  • In departments of standers and metrology.
  • In unprofitable centers that concern with environmental issues, water, and renewable energy.
  • In governmental institutions, centers and the ministries that concern with environmental, water, and energy issues.
  • In governmental environmental centers, such as municipalities.
  • In the professions that concern with observing and controlling pollution, recycling and getting rid of waste in factories.
  • In the field of media that concerns with environmental issues and programs of environmental awareness

Pursuing academic study

Master and doctorate

Course description

Subject Description
 Geophysics 1 1st year
 
 
This  course is an introduction to the geology and is  directed to  geology  Department students  at the Faculty of Science .Its Known as the science of geology and its modern  branches  and it covers key topics related to the origin of the earth and its relation to the solar system and gemorphology ,earth  structure and Its  physical properties   and  covers . And it also studies continents and oceans, and the theory of plates tectonic, and the age of the earth, and the crustal materials and earth  chemical composition and the structure of crystals, and minerals that  consists the rocks and their physical properties, classification , and the rocks cycle in nature and its major types . This course also studies igneous rocks, and their classification, structure , texture and composition, and Sedimentary rocks  and their classification , depositions, structure and  facies , and Metamorphic  rocks and its classification , and metamorphism  patterns and its factors , minerals , facies  and scales .
General Physics 1 1st year This  course depends  on the measurement of the physical amounts  and then moves on to the study  vectors , then  the student studies the rectilinear motion and motion on a curved path and Newton's laws,  and then moves on to study torque to a point and to an axis  .this course also  studies center of gravity and the center of mass to become  familiar with  study of  work and various versions of the work and Kinetic energy and conservative forces and non-conservative forces, Then moves on to examine the impetus , the amount of movement , rotation, temperature , movement and gas law.
General Physics 2 1st year This course is to be complementary to the course of General Physics (1) and its intended to follow-up to provide chemistry students with basic physics information in the field of electricity and magnetism  , and its significance lies in that it helps the student to recognize many of the phenomena related to static electricity and current magnetic  and electromagnetic incitement and Maxwell's equations. This course covers all topics of the planned  Vocabularies  which include many of important basic concepts  such as the colon  forces  , the electric field , the electrical energy and latency , Capacitors , electrical -current and electromagnetic agitation.
General Geology 1st year In this course, students learn general  basics of geology which related to the branch that they study in terms of general  characteristics  , composition , and fields of the Earth and the relationship of this to both Animal and plant life so the students will know the major materials of Earth and its characteristics  and chemical compositions of the actions that occur within the earth and   on its surface (such as earthquakes, volcanoes and other ...) and the students will recognize also  different types of animal and plant species that lived in the geological eras through the history of the evolution of the earth and this has great importance, especially as they represent the ancestors of animals and plants which live on the earth .
General Chemistry 2 1st year This course provides opportunities for students to develop basic skills in understanding the processes of oxidation-reduction reactions and the different ways to balance the equations as an introduction to  study    electrochemistry. This course also studies  the classification of matter and its  study. And it also study chemical kinetics , the speed of chemical reactions and the effect of concentration and The temperature on it. Whereas  the chemical equilibrium describes the state of  equilibrium between the reactants and products and determines the appropriate conditions to make the highest payoff of  interaction . Also this course deals with the study of electrolyte and  non- electrolyte fluids  and the properties that make up important circles  for the occurrence of chemical reactions. The elements  chemistry  study is considered  as an  theoretical and practical importance  where the students recognize  physical and chemical properties of these elements and the importance of their compounds and their use.
Geophysics 2 1st year This course represents gateway to the basic concepts of geology and the study of earth sciences, and addresses topics that are related to the impact of external geological factors, and internal factors on rocks of earth crust and the terrain resulting therefrom, and they are located in two parts: 1 - external geodynamics: includes the  Geological act of external factors in the rocks of earth crust  such as weathering, and wind movement, and surface current water , and action of glaciers, and the action of  seas and oceans and lakes . 2 - internal  geodynamics: addresses the mechanism of formation of ranges and  structural splits , and volcanic eruption, and the occurrence of earthquakes and their impact on the features of the earth's crust and The concentration of useful  materials.
Sedimentary rocks 2nd year   The aim of the course is : to introduce students to different types of Sedimentary rocks, the course importance is : Preparing students to study other geological courses : Economic Geology, Regional Geology .... etc.).  This course presents to the students the ways of  determination the   rocks and identify them, and the students learn from this course to identify  sedimentary rocks and determine the chemical and metal and grains   composition and Ores which is related to it  ... etc.,
General Geophysics 2nd year This course studies  : Applied and theoretical Understanding of natural  fields  (earth magnetic field) and (magnetic field) and (electrical field) and (earth electrical field) and (earthquakes) and its significance and origins, as well as the solar system and the universe and the earth.
Petrography of Igneous and Metamorphic Rocks 2nd year
 
This course helps to provide the skills to learn various compositions of the external and interior  rocks and metals which made it up and distinguish its physical characteristics (cleavage surfaces, color,  opalescence, hardness, and the crystallization system in the case of crystallization of studied  crystal is clear ,in addition to know the chemical classification of these rocks, depending on the proportion of silica and alkali , through the installation of metallic of studied  rocks and this helps the student also to know  the rocks of economic importance and economic metals which is connected to it , this is considered to be the most important of the main courses in geology, which can not be ignored by the geologist.
Programming-Geo-analysis 2nd year This course represents a gateway to learn how computer works and its basic components, in addition to learn the  usage of language of  programming Bezek and its applications as well as basic statistical methods and their applications in the geological sciences and some other statistical applications related to geological sciences.
This course studies in the second year and offers the benefit for all students in the different divisions in the third year, both with regard to the basic skills in computer science and languages of programming ​​or with regard to the applied uses of Statistical Sciences in geological studies. The course with its content provides the student the basis to use the computer and to develop its usage in the future. Also enables students to analyze and interpret geological data using different statistical methods.
Stratigraphy 1 2nd year The student studies in this course: Understanding stratigraphic column, time in geology, sequence of stratigraphy , stratigraphic units, events, discontinuities, physical methods in stratigraphy , magnetostratigraphy, sedimentological methods, Chemical ,bio-stratigraphic methods
Paleontology 1 2nd year The study of organisms preserved within sedimentary rocks . paleontology  (Departments of fossils,  importance of fossils science) ..... science of fossils and taxonomy,  science of fossils and evolution ,the relationship between  fossils and  stratigraphy sciences , science  of the environment and fossils, micropaleontology (foraminifera, radiolaria, diatoms), Division of spongiform, Division archaeocyatha, Division of coelenterata, Ostracoda,  Trilobites.
Paleontology 2 2nd year The conservation of  fossils within sedimentary rocks, the Division of mollusca (class of lamellibranches, class of  gastropodes, class of  cephalopada), Division of branchiopoda, Division of Echinodermata, Division of vertebrates, plants Division.
General Geophysics 2nd year Theoretical and applied understanding of fields (Ground gravity field and the magnetic field and electric field and ground  electric field and earthquakes) and its significance and origins, as well as the solar system and the universe and the earth.
Stratigraphy 2 2nd year This course enables the students to understand the basics of stratigraphy  geology based on a range of other sciences such as biology and paleontology  ,geophysics , geochemistry, mathematics , sedimentation and Facies Analysis and others. The main objective of this course is to learn the study of depositions in all its forms in shape of geological sections represent drilled wells and then to implement stratigraphic emulator between similar depositions  in terms of age based on  its palaeontological content  and Characteristics of physical ,chemical and depositional depositions, in order to link them in terms of bio stratigraphic, sedimentological, structural characteristics  in  form of maps or three-dimensional diagrams  .
Mineralogy 2nd year The aim of the course: to  introduce student to the major metals which constitute  the rocks and ores and its general characteristics, its importance: prepare students for the study of decisions related to the science of rocks, general course program: theoretical Lectures and applied session on theoretical lessons, what this course offers  and what students learn: to identify metals and to distinguish them and their benefits.
General Hydrogeology 2nd year This course enables ecology science students to know under-groundwater science   and its relationship with the hydrologic cycle and  the unsaturated range .
Economic Geology 3rd year Student can know  endogenous geological processes (Igneous and Metamorphic), and exogenous  (sedimentary), leading to the formation of deposits of metallic useful raw materials and non-metallic which have high economic value, in addition to learn methods of exploration and drilling them, and methods of reserve account, and the extraction and processing of crudes , and to identify the specifications and location of  some types of usefaul raw materials in Syria
Structural Geology 3rd year The course consists of two parts: the structural geology: is the science that deals with the study and  description of the rocky structures and determine spatial geometric relationships between them and the adjacent rocky objects and determine the conditions of their formation and evolution, and categorized them with structural engineering  classification . Depending on the methods of documenting data for the structures such as cracks and faults and folds and elements of structural partial in form of : projections horizontal projections (geological maps and structural) and vertical (sections and profiles), three-dimensional steric shapes, charts : Watershed planning Polyphonic (Wolf and Schmidt) .The second part: geotectonic: it is the science that studies the structure, movements, deformations, evolution of the earth's crust and upper mantle which called the tectonic cover in conjunction with the overall evolution of the earth. Presenting an overview of the relative vertical tectonic movements and their relationship to the geotectonic  structures in the oceans and continents, according to the foundations of the theory of lithospheric plates tectonic, to get to the emergence and evolution of  tectonic structures throughout Wilson's cycle,
Methods of Hydro geophysical borehole3rd  year Determines the reservoir levels in under-groundwater from non-reservoir . Identifies  petro-physical  characteristics ( porosity- permeability - saturation ... etc.) to these levels and visualize of subsurface geological  structures through geophysical parameters their interpretations and auditing the focal section litho-geologically  and develop  litho-physical models in order to assess the area to be studied
Climatology 3rd year The science  of climate deals with the study of  weather phenomena and their interaction with the lithosphere and hydrosphere and the study of the components of the climate which represented in : gas structure of the atmosphere , insolation, temperature , moisture , atmospheric pressure, wind, and then the general movement of air and weather fronts and studying climates of the world.
Methods of  surface Hydro-geophysics 3rd year
 
This course represents  an introduction to geophysical prospecting in the following ways (geoelectrical in direct and alternative current, gravity ,magnetic and seismic), this course  deals with theoretical principles of the surface geo-physical methods used for water studies and physical properties of rocks, which related to every geophysical way, and devices used in every way , and the basic principles in the interpretation of the data for each method in terms of their  uses in hydro-geological studies. The practical lessons deals with issues and applications of electrical measurements and seismic.
Surface Water  science (3rd) year This course represents the only opportunity that enables Geology students Geology, Branch of hydrogeology , to identify all matters related to the science of surface water, because of its close relationship with the science of under-groundwater. The vocabulary of this course covers the theoretical background of this science and practical methods applied in the measurement of operations.
Methods of  Boreholes Drilling3rd year . This course  provides opportunity to study the techniques of drilling of wells, and to develop the skills in the basic requirements for the drilling of water wells and this requires: the knowledge of rocks susceptibility for drilling - methods of drilling and its equipments - drilling fluids and the factors affecting the deviation of wells - the basic requirements for drilling - construct water wells - clean wells and developed and invested them - maintenance and restoration of wells.
Environmental  and Engineering  Geology (3rd) year It is an application of Geological Sciences in the field of constructional science – involves in the study of the physical and chemical properties of the rocks, mechanical properties of rocks, engineering geo-classification, geo-engineering investigations in order to establish a civil engineering constructions - the balance of the slopes - Foundations - tunnels-water installations - Geo-environmental impacts of the floods and establish water installations dams, geo-environmental act of volcanoes , earthquakes and wind, the role of environmental engineering geology in urbanization.
Geo-electrical Methods (1)3rd year This course represents an introduction to the geo-electric exploration by direct current, which deals with the electrical properties of rocks, and the devices used, and the theory of the electric field in the homogeneous and heterogeneous environment , and general information about the method of resistivity sounding  horizontal and vertical sounding and their interpretations, and dual and three-dimension survey. The principle of natural latency way and way of charged body. The practical lessons deals with issues and applications of the horizontal and vertical sounding and their Interpretations manually and programmatically.
Geological Survey (3rd)year This course is an introduction to the geological survey and its methods and means, where the student learns the different field techniques outside the  study halls which able the student to put a geological map. Among the most important of these technologies, how to locate it on the map, and use of the types of field geological field tools and specially geological compass. The student also learns how to use topographic maps and aerial and satellite photographs, and the creation of cross-sections and put stratigraphic columns based on field observations. Also the student learns the ways of Survey: parallel and interceptor survey on the borders between rock  and stratigraphic units. In total student develops the skills of field observation of the geological features and data collection and documentation with maps and sections and different graphic shapes and t interpretation, then drafted them in form of geological report.
Economic Geology (3rd) year Student can know  endogenous geological processes (Igneous and Metamorphic), and exogenous  (sedimentary), leading to the formation of deposits of metallic useful raw materials and non-metallic which have high economic value, in addition to learn methods of exploration and drilling them, and methods of reserve account, and the extraction and processing of crudes , and to identify the specifications and location of  some types of usefaul raw materials in Syria
Under-Groundwater movement (3rd) year
 
This course provides opportunities for students to acquire knowledge and develop skills in the theoretical foundations for the movement of under-groundwater and its different patterns depending on the different geological and hydro-geological conditions , where a student can account the  hydrogeological operations that reflect the infiltration properties of levels of water-bearing.  According to that, it allows students to determine the ability of levels of water-bearing to supply water through pumping for various uses. This course also provides opportunities to determine the interrelationships between surface water and under-groundwater needed by the student for various reasons  some of them : determine the water balance, changes in under-groundwater quality ... It also allows for a student to study swept sea water "ocean" of levels of coastal water bearing  and performs calculations that would enable him to determine the dividing line between freshwater and saltwater in order to ensure that the pumping operations of groundwater without access of saltwater to the wells.
Structural Geology 3rd year The course consists of two parts: the structural geology: is the science that deals with the study and  descriptionof the rocky structures and determine spatial geometric relationships between them and the adjacent rocky objects and determine the conditions of their formation and evolution, and categorized them with structural engineering  classification . Depending on the methods of documenting data for the structures such as cracks and faults and folds and elements of structural partial in form of : projections horizontal projections (geological maps and structural) and vertical (sections and profiles), three-dimensional steric shapes, charts : Watershed planning Polyphonic (Wolf and Schmidt) .The second part: geotectonic: it is the science that studies the structure, movements, deformations, evolution of the earth's crust and upper mantle which called the tectonic cover in conjunction with the overall evolution of the earth. Presenting an overview of the relative vertical tectonic movements and their relationship to the geotectonic  structures in the oceans and continents, according to the foundations of the theory of lithospheric plates tectonic, to get to the emergence and evolution of  tectonic structures throughout Wilson's cycle,
 
Methods of Hydro-geophysical borehole(3rd) year Determines the reservoir levels in groundwater from non-reservoir . Identifies  petro-physical  characteristics ( porosity- permeability - saturation ... etc.) to these levels and visualize of subsurface geological  structures through geophysical parameters their interpretations and auditing the focal section litho-geologically  and develop  litho-physical models in order to assess the area to be studied
Integrated Water Resources Management (4th) year The aim of the course is : to enrich the student with information about the importance of water resources management in achieving the overall development and its  reflection on various productive sectors and on the social and economic situation of the country. The student learns the ways and methods of sound management of limited water resources, and how to meet the demand for water and to ensure the sustainability of water resources in good quality for generations to come. Students also are taught how to build a national strategy for the management of water resources, policies, plans and actions. This course  explains to the students the foundations and principles of the Integrated management and the meaning and importance of integration in the management of water resources, the student also learns how to manage data and water information and  tools to  support decision maker in the recruitment of water information to serve the overall development.
Geographic Information System(4th ) year
 
Geographic information systems is  a set of tools and programs that enable the collection and documentation, auditing and analysis of geographic data, both spatial and descriptive as well as to bring out this information, dissemination and distribution, printing and potential modeling and advanced spatial analysis .These systems are considered sophisticated tool in the process of making support to decision maker . This technique (course) helps all those interested in earth studies such as the geographers and engineers in all disciplines ,specially geologists and geophysicists and hydro-geologists. This course helps students to learn how to gather information related to water studies and their automation, mapping and modeling data of surface and under-groundwater.
Hydrochemistry and Natural Isotopes (4th) year
 
This course cares about: studying natural water chemistry and chemical processes these waters exposed during its hydrogeological cycle, and thus the chemical reactions in which happened in them to form chemical composition, as well as this subject deals with study the conditions and operations that constitute this installation. And then label the points of water chemically and work on the to be displayed and represented graphically. On the other hand, it studies the applications of natural isotopes in studies of water during all phases of the  hydrogeological cycle .
Processing of Water Information (4th) year The course aims to teach students the methods of surface and groundwater data processing and to develop mathematical models to represent water basins and to complete predictions depending on the terms of nutrition and sanitation in order to serve the process of rationally consumption of water and to develop future plans to invest them and how to utilize them optimally.
 
Water Maps (4th) year / It begins  with the definition water maps and its concepts ,features, characteristics and global classification and it searches deeply in the hydro-geologic data that is used for the preparation of those maps reviewing their classification ,sources , quality, coherence , interdependence , validity and mechanism of rebuilt and prepare them for use. After  that ,the student starts receiving information on: atmosphere maps (different maps of precipitation and probability evaporation and their relationship with hydro-geologic maps- surface water (drainage surface maps, watersheds and flood areas and morphometric maps and runoff and lakes, snow cover) and their relationship with  hydrogeological maps – public and private unsaturated range water maps - underground water maps: the theoretical foundations for their preparation, classification  inputs, methods of preparation - types of maps (public, private, depths, oscillations, geometric parameters, hydro -physical parameters, hydraulic and dynamin specificaions, hydro-chemical, quantity descriptors, water supply, environmental water supply, hydrothermal).
Exploration and Prospecting for Underground water(4th)year
 
This course  offers to the student information on the underground water reservoirs  and their quality and advantages - the stages of exploration and drilling for groundwater and  its five principles  and purposes - the principles of hydrogeological survey and its standards and functions - features  of work of hydrogeological survey and geomorphological ,geological geo-botanical, hydrological investigations – field hydrogeological documentation and building  data rules of water - a mechanism to extract hydrogeological  information from geo-physical measurements and drilling and testing of wells and infiltration and laboratory experiments to achieve the objectives of the hydrogeological survey - groundwater system and its types and  the natural and artificial factors affecting  it- hydrogeological studies and their methods and applied output and case studies typical about it.
Non-conventional Water Resources (4th) year / This course includes a definition of harvesting rainwater and its requirements, methods and types - harvest traditional and modern technologies - deploy water technologies - harvesting technologies and dissemination of water applied in Syria - the concepts of artificial recharge of groundwater and underground water storage - technologies for groundwater recharge and its various direct and indirect categories  - the deployment of water and  water injection and  requirements of the technology choice-control system for artificial feeding monitoring artificial recharge – modulating of the hydrological cycle - rain-making and transporting water – process of wastewater treatment - re-use of water in irrigation, industry , water drinking supply and civil uses – desalination of seawater and salty underground water – technologies of desalination of  water: multiple-effect evaporation - vapour compression (desalination) - reverse osmosis - electrical dialysis - freezing desalination.
Regional Hydrogeology(4th) year The course includes a definition of the themes of  regional hydrogeological and  studies that take place within its framework - regional laws governing the spread of the main types for gathering under groundwater - continental hydrogeological structures-blocks hydrogeological and artesian basins and their spatial , hydrochemical , gaseous , microbiological and thermal  distribution- basins of volcanic origin – main types of  gathering underground water –regional underground water system-status of water resources in Syria - Damascus , Yarmouk , the coast , the Assie , Aleppo , Dajla , Khabur and Al-Badia-deep water basins in Syria.
Under groundwater Systems (4th) year /
 
Students learn the forms of nutrition and exchange of underground water and the concepts and meanings of the underground water systems and their basic patterns. As well as studying several different examples of some underground water systems and water balance components and methods of their calculation and determination. And then the students study how to identify the characteristics of groundwater reserves formation and classification of under-groundwater reserves  and resources , and methods of estimating groundwater reserves which are able to be invested in hydrogeological systems.
Pumping  tests (4th) year / The course of pumping experiments aims  to calculate the quantities of underground water discharge and  decline rates in piezometric surface and find the relationship between them, in addition to identifying hydraulic characteristics of aquifers by conducting tests and pumping experiments and injections . This course deals with hydraulic properties of the aquifers in terms of the definition and methods of analyzing the results of various pumping experiments in analytical methods in order to get different hydraulic parameters.
Irrigation Hydrogeology(4th)year
 
The course aims to clarify the ways  of hydrogeological studies in irrigation and drainage systems in order to find solutions to the problems of immersion and salinity which agricultural soil is exposed to. This course provides an opportunity for students to identify the infiltrating properties of unsaturated range by identifying  hydrogeological transactions of ventilating area, and to determine the infiltration loss from reservoirs of surface water dams and irrigation canals, and on the results of the calculations and monitoring work are completed ,the student puts perception of the drainage system, which guarantees the existence of the water level at a minimum depth so as to prevent the arrival of this attributed to the Earth's surface and ensures drainage of excess water to another area, the student can also monitor changes in soil salinity and identifying soil washing operations and observer reciprocal relation between pore water and soil.
Under-groundwater pollution (4) This course aims to achieve theoretical knowledge about the factors and mechanisms of pollution of groundwater and reciprocal relationship between the different circles and find out possible measures to protect underground water from pollution . This course provides an opportunity for students to learn how to identify sources of pollution and various types of pollutants and their effects, by identifying ways of sampling and  completing  necessary chemical , physical and biological analysis  . It also provides opportunity for students to study the kinetics of pollutants across all of the ventilating area and saturated scope, where the student can perform calculations to determine migration of pollutants and thus determine mechanical physicist chemical Relations between the various types of pollutants on the one hand and the solid, liquid circles  on the other hand. And the student  can determine the ability of unsaturated range depending on the of its petro-physical characteristics, to protect groundwater from the arrival of pollutants and changes which are facing these pollutants through their movement, which varies greatly among themselves, in addition to enable the student to identify the ranges of the protection of wells and other water sources from pollution.