After taking this course, you should understand:

• the concept of what a model is;
• the physical and chemical processes affecting flow and transport in the subsurface;
• the governing equations for flow and transport through porous media;
• the physical meaning and mathematical representation of hydrologic boundary conditions;
• the basics of the finite difference and finite element numerical methods;
• how to select an appropriate model based on suitability for a given purpose;
• the capabilities of and how to apply MODFLOW, MODPATH, and FEMWATER;
• how to perform calibration, verification, and sensitivity analysis for a model;
• the issues of accuracy and uncertainty in model results.
  

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This will be a hands on "discussion and doing" oriented course, rather than a lecture oriented course. There are two class periods per week. In general, one class will be spent on some of the background theory incorporated in groundwater flow and transport models and the other will be spent working with one of the computer models or discussing case studies or issues in modeling.

A major component of this course is two "real world", field scale modeling projects. Both will be group projects; the size of the class will determine the number and size of the groups. The first project will be for a small aquifer and will provide you with experience in conceptual model development, applying boundary conditions, and with the finite difference method and MODFLOW. For the second project, you will have choices on the model, the aquifer and the objectives for your model (flow alone or flow and transport). For both projects, each group will present its findings in a written report and in oral presentations to the class.

What you put into the class will determine what you get out of it! I encourage you to do assigned readings before class and come prepared to discuss the material. In addition, you will need to dedicate time outside of class to work with the computer models on your own. This is truly the main way you will learn!

Software: The "GMS" Groundwater Modeling System interface will be used in conjunction with the USGS MODFLOW and MODPATH codes and the USDOD FEMWATER and FEMWASTE codes.

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1. Introduction. Overview of course objectives. What is a model? Why model?
2. The GMS interface and the computer models used in this class
3. Review: The physical processes affecting groundwater flow; governing equations for groundwater flow in porous media
4. Discussion on issues in groundwater modeling/model selection
5. Conceptual model development; hydrologic boundaries; discretization of space and time; grid or mesh design.
6. Boundary conditions and sources/sinks
7. MODFLOW - Overview
8. Finite Difference Methods (FDM)
9. Discussion of MODFLOW case studies
10. MODFLOW Packages
11. Calibration, verification, sensitivity analysis, validation
12. Discussion of calibration case studies
13. MODFLOW numerical solution techniques
14. Finite Element Methods (FEM)
15. FEMWATER - Overview
16. Discussion of FEMWATER case studies
17. The processes affecting contaminant transport; governing equations for advective/dispersive transport; models for transport with and reactions in groundwater
18. Discussion of transport modeling case studies
19. Particle tracking and MODPATH
20. Transport and FEMWASTE
21. Discussion of issues of uncertainty and complexity in modeling
22. Post audit of modeling predictions
23. Discussion of post audit case study

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