EPN-V2

MABY5315 Urban Water Technology Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Urban Water Technology
Study programme
Master’s Programme in Civil Engineering
Weight
10.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Curriculum
FALL 2025
Schedule
Course history

Introduction

This course equips students with skills and knowledge in hydraulic and bioprocess modelling for urban water systems. Students will learn to use hydraulic models for designing urban storm-, wastewater, and water distribution systems, covering specifics of urban hydraulics and hydrology, as well as system planning, design and optimization.

Additionally, chemical and biochemical engineering principles will be used to learn mathematical models of bioprocesses, focusing on reaction kinetics, bioreactor operation and design in biological water treatment.

The course integrates training on software tools, such as SWMM, Mike+, Epanet, Scalgo, Matlab, and Python for hands-on experience and simulations.

Required preliminary courses

No formal requirements over and above the admission requirements.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learningoutcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge:

The student will

  • have knowledge of principles of model-based design of urban water systems
  • have understanding of urban water technologies
  • know how to identify key pollutants in urban runoff
  • have knowledge in chemical conversion and biokinetic processes
  • know the design principles in water resource bioprocessing
  • have understanding of sensitivity and uncertainty analysis

Skills:

The student can

  • dimension urban water systems manually and using hydraulic software
  • optimize design and operation of reactor systems for water treatment
  • design and optimize pipe systems
  • develop and evaluate mathematical description and analysis of complex bioprocesses
  • synthesise computer codes for simulating bioreactor system processes.

General competences:

the student

  • is able to do critical analysis and evaluation of information
  • has insight in systematic and creative problem-solving
  • is able to effectively communicate with stakeholders
  • is able to handle uncertain or incomplete information
  • is able to use statistics for communication strategies.

Teaching and learning methods

The teaching will consist of a combination of:

  • Lectures & discussions
  • Independent studies including video recordings and online exercises
  • Coursework assignments
  • Practical use of tools and software
  • Field excursions

Course requirements

2 project reports (700-1000 words in addition to supporting information/appendices).

1 field excursion. Hand in of a report from the field excursions (approx. 300 words)

A written exercise for missing attendance of field excursion.

60 % physical presence is mandatory in lectures and training. A written exercise for missing attendance.

Assessment

1.Two individual projects to be handed in counting for 70 % of the grade;

(A) Bioprocess technology: hand in an individual written report of 1500-1700 words, in addition to supportive information/appendices, counting for 35 % of the grade.

(B)Urban Pipe Systems: hand in an individual written document of 1500-1750 words in addition to appendices, counting for 35 % of the grade.

2. One individual oral presentation on the bioprocess technology part (15 min) followed by individual Q&A (10 min), counting for 30 % of the grade.

In the event of failed or valid absence of exam, the postponed exam will be given as either an oral or written examination.

Part 1 can be appealed, part 2 can't be appealed.

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All aids is allowed.

Grading scale

Graded scale A-F

Examiners

Part 1)Two internal examiners

Part 2) Two internal examiners

External examiners are used regularly

Course contact person

Benedek György Plosz

Overlapping courses

5 ECTS MABY5310

5 ECTS MABY5320