Florida Gulf Coast University
U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering
Fall 2025
Last updated:Mar 31, 2025
Recorded Lessons: TBA
As research assistant or through service learning, you will have the opportunity to engage in two active EPA-funded projects including fieldwork and modeling:
Course: EGN 4930/5932C ST: Groundwater Hydrology
CRN: EGN 4930 – 87245
CRN: EGN 5932C – 86679
Credit hours: 3
Class: Online - Asynchronous
Exam: Final Presentation and Report
Ahmed S. Elshall, PhD
Assistant Professor
Department of Bioengineering, Civil Engineering, and Environmental Engineering
U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering Joint Appointment with The Water School
Office: Holmes Hall 423 (inside 416)
Research Website: https://aelshall.weebly.com
Office Hours : Tuesday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm and by appointment
This course introduces the fundamental principles of groundwater flow and solute transport in aquifers, emphasizing interactions between groundwater and the environment. Students will gain hands-on experience with basic groundwater modeling using the industry-standard tool MODFLOW, providing a foundation for further study and careers in water resources management.
Groundwater flows beneath the Earth’s surface through pores, fractures, and conduits within aquifers—water-saturated soil and rock formations that transmit significant quantities of water. Groundwater is the Earth’s largest non-frozen freshwater reservoir, accounting for more than 97% of liquid freshwater. It is the world’s most extracted natural resource, with withdrawal rates around 1000 km³/year. Groundwater is a reliable freshwater source, moving slowly through aquifers and providing vital benefits to billions of people. It supplies over half of the drinking water, approximately 40% of irrigation water, and about one-third of freshwater for industrial activities. Groundwater also supports ecosystems in aquifers, soils, rivers, lakes, wetlands, coastal zones, and marine environments, offering numerous ecosystem services. Additionally, groundwater is a geothermal energy resource and plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies, such as carbon sequestration in deep saline aquifers and flood-managed aquifer recharge.
Groundwater in Florida is especially critical, serving as the primary source of drinking water for nearly 90% of the state’s population. The state relies heavily on the Floridan Aquifer, one of the most productive in the world, which supplies water not only for Florida but also for parts of Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina. This aquifer supports significant agricultural and industrial activities, with its porous limestone formations. Groundwater in Florida also sustains the state’s unique ecosystems, including springs, rivers, and wetlands that are home to diverse flora and fauna. The interaction between groundwater and surface water is vital for maintaining the health of these ecosystems and protecting against saltwater intrusion in coastal areas. However, Florida’s groundwater faces numerous challenges, including contamination from agricultural runoff, over-extraction, and the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels. Effective groundwater management and conservation are essential for ensuring sustainable water resources for the state’s growing population and economy, as well as for preserving its natural environments for future generations.
This course serves as an introduction to groundwater hydrology, covering elements of the hydrologic cycle and various topics related to groundwater availability. Key topics include aquifer properties, principles of groundwater flow and solute transport, and groundwater pumping. The course also briefly introduces soil moisture and groundwater recharge, surface water-groundwater interaction, and natural environments of groundwater occurrence. Applied groundwater modeling is included. This course is valuable not only for students pursuing a career in groundwater hydrology, but also for those interested in environmental and water resources management. It is a prerequisite for courses in contaminant hydrogeology, groundwater modeling, environmental geophysics, and integrated water resources management.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
These topics and dates are tentative and subject to change based on class progress. Due dates are tentative; actual deadlines will be posted on canvas.
| Week | Date (From - To) | Topic | Book Chapters | Due Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18-Aug - 24-Aug | Introduction: Groundwater importance and challenges | 1 & 2 | HW1 |
| 2 | 25-Aug - 31-Aug | Water budget; Porosity and specific yield |
1 & 2 3 & 8 |
HW2 |
| 2 | Monday 01-Sep | Labor Day Observed (no classes) | ||
| 3 | 01-Sep - 07-Sep | Darcy’s experiment and Darcy’s law Measuring hydraulic conductivity |
1 & 2 3 & 8 |
HW3 |
| 4 | 08-Sep - 14-Sep | Unconfined and confined aquifers Variation of hydraulic conductivity |
3 & 8 | HW4 |
| 5 | 15-Sep - 21-Sep | Aquifer storage Hydraulic head principles |
3 & 8 4 |
HW5 |
| 6 | 22-Sep - 28-Sep | Visual understanding of hydraulic head Validity of Darcy’s law |
4 | HW6 |
| 7 | 29-Sep - 05-Oct | Groundwater flow equations Solutions of groundwater flow equations |
4 | HW7 |
| 8 | 06-Oct - 12-Oct | Aquifer response to pumping Steady-state drawdown |
5 | HW8 |
| 9 | 13-Oct - 19-Oct | Transient drawdown: Theis solution Field methods: Conducting a pumping test |
5 | HW9 |
| 10 | 20-Oct - 26-Oct | Field methods: Pumping test analysis Field methods: Electrical resistivity imaging |
5 | HW10 |
| 11 | 27-Oct - 02-Nov | Hydrogeologic site characterization Midterm exam |
12 | HW11 Midterm exam |
| 12 | 03-Nov - 09-Nov | Groundwater modeling: Introduction Groundwater modeling: Model setup |
13 | HW12 |
| 13 | 10-Nov - 16-Nov | Groundwater modeling: Model calibration Groundwater modeling: Model application |
13 | HW13 |
| 13 | Tuesday 11-Nov | Veteran’s Day (no classes) | ||
| 14 | 17-Nov - 23-Nov | Special Topic: Mass transport of solutes | 10 | HW14 |
| 15 | 24-Nov - 25-Nov | Special Topic: Hydrogeology of Florida | Handouts | |
| 15 | 26-Nov - 30-Nov | Thanksgiving Observed (no classes) | HW15 | |
| 16 | 01-Dec - 07-Dec | Presentation of the paper review | Project Report |
The instructor may elect to employ a curve that favors the students.
| Grade | Range | Grade | Range | Grade | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 94% or above | B- | 80% to 82.99% | D+ | 67% to 69.99% |
| A- | 90% to 93.99% | C+ | 77% to 79.99% | D | 60% to 66.99% |
| B+ | 87% to 89.99% | C | 73% to 76.99% | F | Below 60% |
| B | 83% to 86.99% | C- | 70% to 72.99% |
For participation assessment, students are expected to:
These form the majority of your participation grade.
A weekly homework will be posted on Canvas. Each assignment is due by Sunday at 11:59 pm, unless otherwise posted on CANVAS. Few assignments are designed to include self-directed learning opportunities. This is to give you the opportunity to explore and experiment with engineering problems of your interest.
The take-home midterm covers weeks 1–10. You have 48 hours to complete it, though many students finish in under 2 hours. As this is an individual exam, unauthorized help, AI use such as ChatGPT, or sharing your answers with other sutdents will result in a grade of zero for this exam, and full enforcement of FGCU Academic Integrity Policy.
You are required to complete a project that involves analyzing field data to set up and calibrate groundwater models using MODFLOW for engineering design. Alternatively, you may propose your own project focused on labwork, fieldwork or modeling, subject to instructor approval before beginning. Graduate students may work individually or in groups of two. Undergraduates must work in groups of two or three. Self-directed projects may include up to five students, based on scope and instructor approval.
As of fall 2015, all faculty members are required to use Canvas to confirm a student’s attendance for each course by the end of the first week of classes. Failure to do so will result in a delay in the disbursement of your financial aid. The confirmation of attendance is required for all students, not only those receiving financial aid.
Generative AI including large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Gimini, Claude, and DeepL should not be used in assignments and exams unless indicated by the text “Generative AI Permitted”. Students must cite the used generative AI tool, and failing to do so will be considered academic dishonesty. Check FGCU Generative AI policy for more details.
FGCU has a set of central policies related to student recording class sessions, academic integrity and grievances, student accessibility services, academic disruption, generative AI, and religious observances that apply to all courses at FGCU. Be sure to review these online
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Except for changes that substantially affect implementation of the evaluation (grading) statement, this syllabus is a guide for the course and is subject to change with advance notice.