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Distance course in

Digital Terrain Model Extraction, Processing and Parameterization for Hydrology

Process-based models are created in order to simulate and understand the relationships between natural processes under certain physical rules and conditions. Models range from very simple 1D models to complex models that involve many parameters and are capable of simulating a 4D environment (x,y,z and time). Recently, many modellers have fully adopted the use of digital terrain models (DTMs) and other thematic maps as part of the input parameters for these hydrological models. Catchment topography has a major impact on the hydrological processes active in the landscape.

This course aims to equip participants with the necessary conceptual and practical knowledge to acquire and process DTMs for parameterization in hydrology.

For whom is the course relevant?

This course is relevant for professionals who are engaged in any of the geosciences, natural sciences or engineering sciences and who have a basic knowledge of hydrology, remote sensing, digital image processing and GIS.

What will be achieved?

On completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• describe the relevance of a DTM for hydrological studies and modelling in general, and the types of parameters that can be obtained for hydrological and hydraulic modelling in greater detail, as well as how these parameters are used
• extract 3D information, process and construct a DTM from points and by contour interpolation, and calculate relevant DTM-based derivatives (1st and 2nd order) and compound indices
• import and process DTMs from existing sources (point-, line- and raster-based)
• use ILWIS software for hydrological parameterization
• use remote sensing data for extracting other relevant hydrological parameters (e.g. hydrographs).

Learning from a distance, how is it like?

The general approach of the course is task based learning which blends theory and practice. The study load is 20 to 24 hours per week. All materials including (most of) the software will be provided online in ITC's digital learning environment Blackboard. For convenient offline study most materials will be sent on a CD-Rom. We will use email for individual communication and a discussion board in Blackboard for group communication.

Admission requirements

Academic level and background

Applicants for the Distance programme should have a Bachelor degree or equivalent from a recognised university in a discipline related to the course, preferably combined with working experience in a relevant field.

English language

As all courses are given in English, proficiency in the English language is a prerequisite. Participants in Distance programme are exempted from an English language test. However, ITC expects their proficiency in the English language to meet the minimum requirements mentioned below.

English language tests: minimum requirements

Computer skills

Applicants for the Distance education programme must have elementary computer experience, regular access to internet and e-mail. For some courses additional computer skills are required (see description of specific course).

GIS and remote sensing

Most distance courses, except for the introductory course, require knowledge of, and skills in, working with GIS and/or digital image processing of remotely sensed data.

Candidates are asked to provide proof of identity during the registration process.

Software requirements

• Internet Explorer 5.0 (6.0 or higher recommended)
• Adobe Acrobat Reader
• Course specific software

Hardware requirements

ITC expects the hardware to meet the minimum requirements mentioned below.

What more there is to know?

This distance course is based on a module of one of ITC's degree courses, successful completion will lead to exemption for that module in the degree course.