Why study hydrology ?
Hydrology deals with questions concerning the most basic resource on the planet - water. Given the growing world-wide challenges associated with both the quantity and quality of water resources, the aim of the Hydrology and Water Resources program is to provide students with a broad skill set that will enable them to deal with both theoretical and practical scientific problems.
Students take part in projects at the forefront of hydrological research, often combining different techniques such as field work, state-of-the-art laboratory experiments, and cutting edge computer models.
A range of employment opportunities exist for graduates of the program. Our graduates gain positions, both in Israel and abroad, in water technology companies, environmental consulting firms, academia, and local and central government.
More information is available at the Hebrew University website.
Academic Programs
The program offers three tracks - two tracks for a Master's degree (thesis/non-thesis track) and a thesis track for PhD. Both Master's tracks include lectures, laboratories and field trips. A key part of the thesis track is an independent research under the supervision of a faculty member associated with the program, which serves as the basis for a written thesis.
More information about the program tracks can be found in the Faculty of Science website.
Master's studies - Thesis Track
Hydrology and Water Resources - A cross-faculty program, syllabus for Master's studies - Thesis Track (6044)
Most updated information can be found in the Course Catalogue or in The Faculty of Science website.
This track includes a study program of 32 credits. The program consists of courses in core subjects: surface and ground water hydrology, field trips, methodological courses in models and field methods and a seminar course in Hydrology. All other required credits should be completed from the list of optional courses in hydrology and the general optional courses of the program.
Note that not all courses are held every year. If a compulsory course is not given for some reason, it will be replaced by another course, with the approval of the program head. All study programs require approval of the program head.
Duration of the program is 4 semesters. In some cases, the curriculum can also be completed in three semesters, depending on course selection. Students can choose to commence their studies either in the first (winter) or second (spring) semester.
Compulsory Courses
A selection of at least one course from each category in Table 1 is required, with a total sum of at least 16 credits. Additional courses from Table 1 can be taken as optional courses.
Table 1. Compulsory Courses
- Surface Hydrology - Surface Water Hydrology: Processes, Observations and Models (70352)
- Sub-Surface Hydrology - Groundwater Contamination (70875), Solute Transport Soils (71918)
- Field Methods - Field Methods in Surface Hydrology (68835), Field Method in Groundwater Hydrology (68804)
- Field Trips - Dead Sea FIeld Camp (89400), Field Course in Environmental Analysis (89301)
- Numerical Methods and Models - Numerical Methods in the Earth Sciences (70865), Numerical Methods (71980), Modeling Environmental Systems (70897)
- Seminars - Hydrology Seminar (68836)
Optional Courses
The student must complete 32 credits from the compulsory courses specified in table 1, from optional courses in hydrology (table 2) and additional optional courses in table 3 and 4.
Table 2. Optional Courses in Hydrology
- Groundwater Modeling (68803)
- Sediment Transport in Alluvial Streams (68837)
- Statistical Hydrology (68838)
- Eco-hydrologic modeling with R (68806)
- Practical aspects of water resources management and flood protection (68839)
- Workshop in soil geomorphology and hydrology (68840)
- Effluents - Reclamation and Environmental Implications (71930)
- Research project in practical hydrology (68830)
Table 3. General optional courses in the Faculty of Science and in the Faculty of Social Science in Jerusalem
- Synoptic Climatology of the Mediterranean (40458)
- Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology (40461)
- Speleology: processes and environment in caves (70878)
- Advanced Research Applications in Remote Sensing (40770)
- Structural Geology (70302)
- Geochemistry of Groundwater (70324)
- Introduction to Stratigraphy (70365)
- Introduction to G.I.S (70511)
- Water Resources of Israel (70515)
- Quartenary Geomorphology (70517)
- Introduction to Geochmical Measurements (70555)
- Quaternary Field Methods (70570)
- Matlab for Earth Sciences (76628)
- Climatic Changes (82508)
- Objective Methods of Data Analysis in the Earth Sciences (82653)
- Rain and Cloud Physics (82814)
- Application of radar to meteorology (82825)
- Mattematical Methods in Scientific Models (82833)
- Environmental Remote Sensing (82850)
- Chemical and Geochemical Processes (89847)
- Multi-disciplinary Workshop on Environmental (40695)
- Different Approaches to Environmental Policies (40422)
- Water Policy in Israel (40935)
- Using Exact Sciences Modeling Tools to Understand Social Phenomena (55772)
- Mount Sedom Diapir: geology and geomorphology (70332)
- Geochemistry of Radioactive Isotopes (70334)
- Introduction to tropical meteorology (82515)
- Global Circulation and Weather Systems in Israel (82548)
- A Practical Laboratory in Weather Prediction (82610)
- Workshop on English Usage for Graduate Students in Earth Sciences (82851)
Table 4. General optional courses in the Faculty of Agriculture in Rehovot
- Agricultural Micrometeorology (71103)
- Advanced Soil Physics (71129)
- Water Treatment and Quality Control (71130)
- Introduction To Economics of Natural Resources (71148)
- Environmental Behavior of Organic Polluatants (71185)
- Soil Formation (71615)
- Physics of Soil Water (71622)
- Israel Water Resources and Their Managment (71625)
- Aquatic Geochemistry (71913)
- Effluents - Reclamation and Environmental Implications (71930)
- Soil Chemistry (71972)
- Physical chemistry and Surface Phenomena in Soil (71973)
Thesis Work
The thesis is based on research in a defined field of hydrology and water resources, performed by students under the supervision of one or more professors from the program. This work is summarized by the student in a detailed written scientific work. Finding a supervisor for the research work is a prerequisite for registration for the program.
Research Proposal and Proposal Exam
After two semesters, the student must submit the research plan and pass a selection exam in which the research plan is investigated by the accompanying committee set by the program. Registration to the third semester without submitting a research proposal is not possible.
Thesis Submission and Final Exam
After four semesters, the student must submit the thesis and pass a final exam which will test the general knowledge and understanding in the issues of the student's expertise. A special committee will be appointed to examine the student and evaluate the thesis work.
Final Grade
The final grade is made up of 40% course grades, 30% thesis grade, 15% research proposal exam, 15% Master's degree final exam.
Qualification requirements for the Master's degree: Grade in each course: 60, final exam grade: 65, thesis grade: 65, general final score: 65.
Admission Requirements
As part of the application process, candidates must find a supervisor for the research work from the list of the program members. The supervisor's approval for guiding the student in his research work is required. Finding a supervisor is a prerequisite for registration, but does not guarantee acceptance to the program.
Prerequisite: a grade of at least 85 in the Bachelor's degree in related fields. Supplementary studies will be set if necessary by the head of the program according to courses completed during the student's Bachelor's degree.
Master's studies - Non-thesis Track
Hydrology and Water Resources - A cross-faculty program, syllabus for Master's studies - Non-thesis Track (6046)
Most updated information can be found in the Course Catalogue or in The Faculty of Science website.
This track includes a study program of 45 credits. The program consists of courses in core subjects: surface and ground water hydrology, chemistry/geochemistry, field trips, methodological courses in models and field methods, and two seminar courses. All other required credits should be completed from the list of optional courses in hydrology (at least three are required) and the general optional courses of the program.
Note that not all courses are held every year. If a compulsory course is not given for some reason, it will be replaced by another course, with the approval of the program head. All study programs require approval of the program head.
Duration of the program is 4 semesters. In some cases, the curriculum can also be completed in three semesters, depending on course selection. Students can choose to commence their studies either in the first (winter) or second (spring) semester.
Compulsory Courses
A selection of at least one course from each category in Table 1 is required, with a total sum of at least 19 credits. Additional courses from table 1 can be taken as optional courses.
Table 1. Compulsory Courses
- Surface Hydrology - Surface Water Hydrology: Processes, Observations and Models (70352)
- Sub-Surface Hydrology - Groundwater Contamination (70875), Solute Transport Soils (71918)
- Chemistry and Geochemistry
- Field Methods (surface hydrology) - Field Methods in Surface Hydrology (68835)
- Field Methods (surface hydrology) - Field Method in Groundwater Hydrology (68804)
- Field Trips - Dead Sea FIeld Camp (89400), Field Course in Environmental Analysis (89301)
- Numerical Methods and Models - Numerical Methods in the Earth Sciences (70865), Numerical Methods (71980), Modeling Environmental Systems (70897)
Seminars
The hydrology seminar and additional 3 credits seminar are required.
Table 2. Seminars
- Hydrology Seminars - Hydrology Seminar (68836)
- Additional Seminars - Graduate Student Seminar (70820), Seminar for Graduate Students Atmospheric Sciences and Oceanography I (82830), MSc Seminar in Soil and Water Sciences (71133)
Optional Courses in Hydrology
At least 3 courses from the following table are required (at least 6 credits in total). Additional courses from Table 3 can be taken as general optional courses.
Table 3. Optional courses in hydrology
- Groundwater Modeling (68803)
- Sediment Transport in Alluvial Streams (68837)
- Statistical Hydrology (68838)
- Eco-hydrologic modeling with R (68806)
- Practical aspects of water resources management and flood protection (68839)
- Workshop in soil geomorphology and hydrology (68840)
- Effluents - Reclamation and Environmental Implications (71930)
- Research project in practical hydrology (68830)
General Optional Courses
The student must complete 45 credits from the compulsory courses specified in table 1 and 2, from optional courses in hydrology (table 3) and additional optional courses in Table 4 and 5.
Table 4. General optional courses in the Faculty of Science and in the Faculty of Social Science in Jerusalem
- Synoptic Climatology of the Mediterranean (40458)
- Introduction to Synoptic Meteorology (40461)
- Speleology: processes and environment in caves (70878)
- Advanced Research Applications in Remote Sensing (40770)
- Structural Geology (70302)
- Geochemistry of Groundwater (70324)
- Introduction to Stratigraphy (70365)
- Introduction to G.I.S (70511)
- Water Resources of Israel (70515)
- Quartenary Geomorphology (70517)
- Introduction to Geochmical Measurements (70555)
- Quaternary Field Methods (70570)
- Matlab for Earth Sciences (76628)
- Climatic Changes (82508)
- Objective Methods of Data Analysis in the Earth Sciences (82653)
- Rain and Cloud Physics (82814)
- Application of radar to meteorology (82825)
- Mattematical Methods in Scientific Models (82833)
- Environmental Remote Sensing (82850)
- Chemical and Geochemical Processes (89847)
- Multi-disciplinary Workshop on Environmental (40695)
- Different Approaches to Environmental Policies (40422)
- The Water Policy in Israel (40935)
- Using Exact Sciences Modeling Tools to Understand Social Phenomena (55772)
- Mount Sedom diapir: geology and geomorphology (70332)
- Geochemistry of Radioactive Isotopes (70334)
- Introduction to tropical meteorology (82515)
- Global Circulation and Weather Systems in Israel (82548)
- A Practical Laboratory in Weather Prediction (82610)
- Workshop on English Usage for Graduate Students in Earth Sciences (82851)
Table 5. General optional courses in the faculty of Agriculture in Rehovot
- Agricultural Micrometeorology (71103)
- Advanced Soil Physics (71129)
- Water Treatment and Quality Control (71130)
- Introduction To Economics of Natural Resources (71148)
- Environmental Behavior of Organic Polluatants (71185)
- Soil Formation (71615)
- Physics of Soil Water (71622)
- Israel Water Resources and Their Managment (71625)
- Aquatic Geochemistry (71913)
- Effluents - Reclamation and Environmental Implications (71930)
- Soil Chemistry (71972)
- Physicalchemistry and Surface Phenomena in Soil (71973)
Final Exam
At the end of the student's last semester, a final exam of the Master's degree will take place. The exam will be in the form of an oral exam and should test the general knowledge of the student in the subjects studied in the program.
Final Grade
Final grade consists of: 90% courses grade average, 10% final exam.
Qualification requirements for the Master's degree: Grade in each course: 60, final exam grade: 65, thesis grade: 65, general final score: 65.
Admission Requirements
Prerequisite: a grade of at least 85 in the Bachelor's degree in related fields. Supplementary studies will be set if necessary by the program chairman according to courses completed during the student's Bachelor's degree.
PhD studies
PhD studies - for information and registration please visit the authority for research students website.
PhD direct track - Graduate students whose bachelor's degree grade is over 85 and have completed the credits required for master's degree with an average of at least 85 may apply for the direct PhD track. The transition is conditional on the recommendation of the department and on the success in a selection exam. This track allows students to study towards a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree without submitting a master's thesis, although all master's courses are still required.
Selected Courses
In the next table you'll find some examples of courses in the program
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Groundwater HydrologyAnalysis of water flow processes and dissolved matter transport in groundwater, with emphasis on the physical and chemical base of the processes. The course deals with the hydrological cycle, aquifers structure, hydraulic properties of a porous system, diffusion and dispersion processes, mathematical equations that define the water flow and the dissolved matter transport, hydraulics of wells and drilling, pumping tests and the evaluation of groundwater potential. The course also deals with actual questions: how do sea water penetrate coastal aquifers? How water pollution processes occur? can aquifers be restored? How over-exploitation of water resources causes water salination? And how can we plan an optimal and sustainable water production from groundwater? |
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Surface Water HydrologyGetting to know the relationship between rainfall, the flow in slopes and in channels, and floods generation. Analysis of precipitation processes including rain intensities and their spatial spread, and statistical analysis of rain characteristics. The understanding of the process that create runoff includes assessing the recharge to aquifers, depending on the features of land and the rock underneath. Analysis of flow in channels is based on the characterization of flow (turbulent, super/sub-critical) and on energy balances. The course will also include the use in computer models to analyze rain events, flows in watersheds and recharge evaluations - all of them are used in forecasting and assessment. |
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Field Methods in Groundwater Hydrologythe hydrological research requires a wide field work, including: maps analysis, drillings, installation of pumping systems and implementation of pumping tests. As part of the field work, the hydrologist is required to use new and sophisticated remote sensing methods of such as geophysical methods (geoelectrical, seismic) or geochemical and isotopic analyzes of water. The course includes field tours. |
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Field Methods in Surface HydrologyThe following methods and measuring instruments that relate to the field of surface hydrology will be taught: infiltration estimation via precipitation experiment, stream measurment in channels, sediments transport estimation. The course consists of tours, measurements and field experiments. |
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Water Resources in IsraelRecognition of the natural and artificial water sources in Israel, water production and treatment technologies and issues related to water resources management. Understanding the hydrogeological structure of the mountain and coastal aquifers, their water balances and pollution and salinization problems they suffer from. Assessment of flood flow rates in rivers and their reservoirs plants. Assessment of supply and demand for water in Israel, and the development of the water crisis. recognition of wastewater treatment systems and seawater desalination, and how Israel is dealing with the water crisis. Getting to know the water resources in neighboring countries, water conflicts and their regulation. |
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Developing Models for Environmental SystemsThe course provides theoretical and practical knowledge in developing models for environmental systems (especially hydrological), and includes: defining and characterizing different models, the stages of model development, calibration methods, optimization and verification of the model, sensitivity tests and uncertainty analysis. Using GIS analyses in spatial and numerical models. The course includes assigments and a personal final project. |
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Irrigation with Reclaimed water and its Environmental implicationsA new and unique course at the Hebrew University deals with the environmental and agricultural aspects of sewage water, their characterization and use for irrigation. Key Topics are covered: Water resource and method of treatment; Quality measures and ways to improve the quality of treated sewage water; Health aspects, organizations and regulators of irrigation with wastewater; The effect of water quality on soils and crops; Technological aspects of the use of treated sewage water; Future directions of change in the characteristics of the sewage water and their implications on the way they are used and possible impacts on agriculture and the environment. |
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Hydrological Modeling of GroundwaterDigital modeling is now an important tool in research of processes related to groundwater and water resources management. The course provides students the knowledge and experience of how to use a digital model and understand its implications. The course deals with the theoretical background of flow and transport equations and their implementation in physical problem-solving model. |
Admission Requirements
- Students who finished their Bachelor degree in empirical sciences or geography with an average score of at least 85 can apply for the program.
- As part of the application process, candidates must find a supervisor for the research work from the list of the program members. The supervisor's approval for guiding the student in his research work is required. Finding a supervisor is a prerequisite for registration, but does not guarantee acceptance to the program.
- All students must complete the following prerequisite courses**:
- Mathematics - 5 credit points.
- Physics (mechanics) - 5 credit points.
- Introduction to Cell Biology - 3 credit points.
- Introduction to Climate - 3 credit points.
- Introduction to Geology - 4 credit points.
- Groundwater Hydrology - 3 credit points.
- Soil Sciences - 3 credit points.
- Programming - 4 credit points.
- Statistics - 4 credit points.
** Depending on the student's background, and in accordance with its research program, further complementary studies will be determined with a maximum volume of 10 credit points.
Procedures and Regulations
Registration
Registration for a Master’s degree consists of two stages:
a. University level: (Office of Registration and Admissions) online or by means of a registration packet.
b. Faculty level by setting up an account in the registration system, filling in details and attaching the transcript of grades including the Bachelor’s degree average grade and accreditation of entitlement to the Bachelor’s degree. and press the " ‘Submit Forms’ button. " to complete the procedure, please enter the "Submission Status.
- Candidates who studied/studies for the Bachelores degree at the Hebrew University can attach a non-official transcript of studies (taken from student personal information).
- Candidates who have not yet received their accreditation of entitlement to the Bachelor’s degree must attach only the transcript which includes the degree grade average.
Further information can be obtained by telephone 02-6586722 or email. Registration opens in January.
Admission starts at January. It is recommended that students register by the end of July of the same year to maximize their chances of acceptance and leave enough time to find a suitable supervisor. Students should contact a supervisor before registration. Students applying for Master’s studies should contact the teaching program with which they are registering to check the conditions for receiving a position or scholarship.
Additional information on admission requirements and registration procedures can be found in The Faculty of Science website.