Water resources and environmental managementThe MSc ‘Water Resources and Environmental Management’ is a course of 18 months which results in a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Geo-information Science and Earth Observation. The course acquaints participants with the most recent knowledge on the use of earth observation and geo-information techniques for quantifying components of the water cycle. This information can then be used in water resources assessment and management.

msc course

SPECIALIZATIONS Specialized topics and specific modules are offered within

three different streams. Each stream focuses on a different

aspect of water resources and the environment. During the

course, the concepts related to the acquisition of hydro-

logical data from satellite images are explored. The applica-

tions of earth observation in flood prediction, groundwater

recharge, drought monitoring and prediction, water quality

monitoring, and climate studies are demonstrated.

SuRfACE HydROLOGyThis specialization focuses on water quantity aspects

(flooding, agricultural water use, and climate) from a local

to regional scale.

ENvIRONMENTAL HydROLOGyParticipants will study freshwater, wetland and coastal

zone interactions and the environmental impacts of water

resources projects. With satellite images a good overview

can be obtained on various water quality indicators. You

learn how to obtain these and apply them for assessment

and monitoring.

GROuNdWATER ASSESSMENT ANd MOdELLING This stream focuses on subsurface processes and the use

of spatial models for groundwater assessment and man-

agement. Important topics include optical remote sensing

and the modelling of hydro-geochemical data. The option

exists to undertake several modules in the field of water

engineering and management at the Faculty of Engineer-

ing Technology.

fINAL PROJECT The MSc degree course concludes with a research project

carried out over a period of six months and embedded in

one of the four research clusters.

AdMISSIONIf you want to join the MSc course you should have a bach-

elor degree or equivalent from a recognized university in a

discipline related to the water resources and environmental

studies. Proficiency in the English language is a prerequi-

site. An internationally recognised English test is required if

the university education was not in English.

STudyING AT ITC

There is more to life at

ITC than only educa-

tion. You study at a

faculty of the University

of Twente with more

than 500 students from

over 70 countries.

Furthermore, ITC staff

is originating from more

than 25 countries: a truly international environment where

you will be able to meet colleagues from all over the

world. ITC is organizing all sorts of social, cultural and

sports activities. Well known are the International Food

Festival and the International Cultural Event. For more

information: www.itc.nl/study.

our vision ‘safe water resources for all’

our mission ‘create and transfer knowledge in

water resources and environmental

management using earth observation

and spatial information technology’

dEvELOPING A fLOOd

EARLy WARNING SySTEM

Hi, my name is Sifan A.

Koriche. I’m doing my

MSc Degree in Geo-

information Science and

Earth Observation for

Water Resource and

Environmental Manage-

ment at ITC. One of the

main reasons I chose this course, is to use geo-informa-

tion science and earth observation in combination with

modelling for understanding, monitoring, predicting and

sustainable use and management of water resources. My

specialization is surface water hydrology and I’m working

on my MSc thesis on developing a flood early warning

system for the Awash River basin located in Ethiopia by

combining flood modelling and remote sensing derived

products from GEONETCast. The main idea of the project,

besides developing an operational model is to evaluate if a

relation can be established between flood affected areas

and the wetness distribution in the basin. As a future plan

I would like to do PhD research.

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ITC 50-230212

dEPARTMENT Of WATER RESOuRCESSafe water, secure food, sustainable energy, and safe-

guarding the environment form key challenges to our

society. Information on water quantity and quality and their

variation is urgently needed for national policies and man-

agement strategies, as well as for UN conventions on cli-

mate and sustainable development. Better water resources

management requires fundamental understanding of the

water cycle, water and climate, water and water ecosys-

tem interactions as well as of the impact of human activity

of the Earth’s climate system. Quantitative earth observa-

tion, hydrological modelling and data assimilation provide

a powerful combination when quantifying hydroclimatic

variables to effectively address water management issues.

In support of the Dutch policy on development coopera-

tion, we are actively engaged in research and education in

applications of earth observation technologies to moni-

tor water availability and food security in terms of floods,

droughts and water pollution, particularly in developing

countries where field monitoring is often lacking.

RESEARCH THEME Our research theme is organized in four clusters:

1. Retrieval of surface parameters

2. Hydrogeology and Ecohydrology

3. Water quality and environmental security

4. Water cycle and climate change

MORE INfORMATION Prof. Dr. Z. (Bob) Su, Professor of

Spatial Hydrology and Water Resources Management

Chairman Department of Water Resources

E: z.su@utwente.nl

Ir. Arno van Lieshout, Course Director

Water Resources and Environmental Management

Distance Education Coordinator

E: lieshout@itc.nl