Master in Water Science

faculty of Agriculture - Department of Soil and Water

Description

The Department of Soil and Water has awarded a master's degree since 1979. Students study many advanced courses, such as: Surface and groundwater hydrology, groundwater pollution, farm irrigation systems, water resources management, water and irrigation, soil, plant and water relationship and applications of GIS and remote sensing management in the study of hydrological and hydrological properties and the nature of the soil remotely. To earn a master's degree, the student must pass at least 36 credit units over 6 semesters i.e., 18 compulsory units, 12 elective and supporting units, and 6 research units (Thesis Research). Holders of master's degree, specializing in water science have the ability and efficiency to provide scientific and research consultations that serve sustainable agricultural development programs and optimal use of irrigation water, and becomes qualified to be a faculty member at a university or higher agricultural institutes, or a researcher at a relevant scientific research center.

Objectives

By completion all the requirements, the graduate is able to

1. Keeping pace with the recent scientific developments in the applied fields of water science.

2. Addresses the needs of national development plans for the experience and national needs of teaching staff in higher education.

3. Contributes to sustainable development and food security programs to increase diversity of national income sources.

4. Contributes to the advancement of science and knowledge by conducting scientific research on problems related to the local and global environment in water science.

5. Increases the scientific competence and develops the intellectual and research abilities and skills for critical thinking and scientific analysis.

Outcomes

By completion all the requirements, the graduate is able to

a. Knowledge & Understand:

A.1. Realize the scientific concepts and terminology in the field of water science.

A.2. Explain the properties of soil physics and farm irrigation systems and identifies the factors involved in the design of different irrigation systems. and selection of solid components of irrigation systems.

A.3. Recognize the theories of groundwater movement towards individual wells, aquifers, test pumping and identification of different hydrological transactions

A.4. Determine the evaporation stages of the soil and estimating crop water requirements.

A.5. Explain the different theories of water movement in the soil-plant-atmospheric system and the plant's response to soil water and short- and long-term changes occurring during its growth.

B. Mental Skills:

B.1. Evaluates and Criticizes Scientific Papers.

B.2 Compare results, provide explanations and come up with recommendations.

B.3. Identifies problems and difficulties in service and productive sectors.

B.4. Reformulation of scientific reports.

B.5. Summarizes and accurately notes his observations during field visits.

C. Practical & professional skills:

C.1. Design the experiments scientifically and draw the conclusions..

C.2. Outline the plans for field research and appropriate design.

C.3. Uses the modern relevant software and employs it in a specific field.

C.4. Develops the gained knowledge using modern technologies.

C.5. Addresses scientifically the problems encountered in projects and agricultural fields.

D. Generic and transferable skills

D.1. Ability to communicate and contact relevant research centres and scientific institutions.

D.2. Ability to work in a team and rely on the individual skills.

D.3. Ability to employ the modern tools and technologies in the field of soil.

D.4. Ability to deliver panel discussions.

D.5. Uses critical thinking and problem solving skills.

Certificate Rewarded

Master's degree in Agricultural Sciences, majoring in Soil and Water - Water Science program

Entry Reuirements

For admission to the Master`s degree at the Faculty of Agriculture, the following is required:

1. The applicant must have a bachelor's degree in agricultural sciences or equivalent certificates recognized by the competent authority for certificate equivalency.

2. The applicant should not have been previously dismissed from a postgraduate program in any other educational institution.

3. The applicant must pass the admission  exam prepared by the scientific department .

4. The applicant must be a habitual resident of Libya when accepted to study at the faculty.

5. Priority for admission is given to teaching assistants who are candidates for postgraduate studies from universities and higher education institutions in Libya without burdening them with an entrance exam and comparison.

6. Candidates from public entities are subject to admission and preference exams, with the exception of candidates under provisions including scientific cooperation agreements approved and in force at the university and in a manner that does not contradict the provisions of the articles of this regulation.

7 . Foreign students who receive scholarships are accepted in accordance with the terms of the agreements concluded between the State of Libya and other countries and regional and international organizations affiliated to it.

8. Submitting evidence of the employer's approval - with regard to workers - to devote themselves to study, partially or completely.

9. Students holding higher diplomas may be admitted to the corresponding departments, provided that they take complementary courses as a condition determined by the scientific department according to the controls set forth in this bylaw.

10. The required documents, original and approved by the competent authorities, shall be submitted to the Office of Postgraduate Studies and Training at the Faculty to conduct the admission  exam in accordance with the dates set by the Department of Postgraduate Studies and Training at the University

Study Plan

The Master in Water Science prepares students to qualify for Master in Water Science. The student studies several subjects which have been carefully chosen in this major to cover its different aspects.

It comprises 6 Semesters of study, in which the student will study a total of 36 units, which include 0 units of general subjects, and 18 major units, 12 of elective units. In addition to a final project in the student's major.

Study plan for this program is shown below:

1st Semester

Code Title Credits Course Type Prerequisite
SW4513 Advanced Irrigation System 03 Compulsory +

This course provides review and study different irrigation systems, such as fixed and portable sprinkler irrigation, Centerpivot and Linear Move Irrigation and Microirrigation system. The course covers topics relating to different comparisons between these systems, various design processes for these systems, as well as calculation of friction losses in pipes and selecting the pumping power unit and determination of the different efficiencies of irrigation system. Many examples will demonstrate how can be evaluated these systems.

SW4603 Advanced Ground Water Hydrology 03 Compulsory +

The Advanced Groundwater Hydrology course is concerned with the study of the movement of water in underground Aquifers, including the movement of water in various aquifers, hydraulics and phenomena related to groundwater such as seawater intrusion, land subsidence, aquifer recharge, and the movement of pollutants through groundwater.

SW4613 Advanced Ground Water Pollution 03 Elective +

The course deals with the theoretical basics associated with the movement of groundwater and the movement of pollutants with groundwater, the types of pollutants in terms of source, form and characteristics, the physical and chemical properties of pollutants that affect their spread in groundwater. Through the study of the course, learn about mathematical equations and models describes the movement of pollutants as a function of concentration, distance and time. It also describes the potential dangers of groundwater pollution to human health and the environment and the necessary measures to reduce groundwater pollution

2nd Semester

Code Title Credits Course Type Prerequisite
SW4503 Advanced Soil Physics 03 Compulsory +

This course provides an advanced understanding of the role of soil physics science and its relationship to other sciences related to soil and water management processes, and enables the student to deepen the understanding of the foundations used in the study of the physical and mechanics of soil in the field and laboratory, and to fully understand the concepts of water movement in soil and the laws that govern its movement under different conditions. Soil moisture varies, the state and processes of movement of each of the soil heat and salts and the spread of various gases within the soil profile are studied, and modern methods of conducting laboratory and field measurements of many of the physical properties of soil are identified.

SW4553 Advanced Soil – Water – Plant Relation 03 Compulsory +

In this course, the concept of the soil-plant-atmosphere system and its connection with water in particular is clarified. It also discusses the physical and chemical properties of water and the components of water potential in soil and plants, soil physical properties, and plant physiology. The course also deals in depth with the different theories of water movement in the soil- plant atmosphere system. Plant response to salinity, water stress, and short- and long-term changes that occur during the period between irrigations are explained. In addition, the evapotranspiration and its impact on the productivity of crops are described in detail.

3rd Semester

Code Title Credits Course Type Prerequisite
SW4313 Advanced Soil and Water Conservation 03 Compulsory +

The advanced soil and water conservation course describes the importance of preserving natural resources for sustainable development. This course is concerned with identifying soil problems such as water erosion, wind erosion, and others. This course explains the ways and means of protecting the soil from erosion, and also explains the laboratory and field methods for conducting scientific research in the field of water erosion and wind erosion.

SW4703 Advanced Evapotranspiration 03 Compulsory +

The Evapotranspiration advanced course aims to introduce the concept of evapotranspiration, determine the factors affecting evapotranspiration. This course also describes methods for estimating the rate of evapotranspiration. Through the study of this course, the mechanism of the evapotranspiration process and the importance of evapotranspiration estimation in agricultural planning are discussed. using remote sensing techniques in estimating actual and potential evapotranspiration and estimating the expected crop yield.

4th Semester

Code Title Credits Course Type Prerequisite
SW4353 Advanced Pollution of Agriculture Environment 03 Elective +

In the agricultural environmental pollution course, the causes and effects of environmental pollution that result from modern agricultural practices are studied. Where this pollution leads to the deterioration of the ecosystem and the land. The agricultural pollution process stems from the many stages it goes through. The student will be introduced to the agricultural environment as part of the biosystem, and to assess the environmental impact caused by agricultural activity, the concept of sustainability and its relationship to overcoming pollution of the agricultural environment.

SW4653 Advanced Management of Irrigation Water 03 Compulsory +

The irrigation water management course aims to introduce the concepts of water resources and their management in order to make optimal use of irrigation water. In this course, the scientific methods used in irrigation operations and their proper management are discussed. This course explains the various irrigation water exploitation problems by studying underground reservoirs. Where the student learns scientific applications in the field of water and land resources management, as well as analyzes the causes of pollution of various water resources and the environmental effects of that.

5th Semester

Code Title Credits Course Type Prerequisite
SW4753 System Analysis 03 Elective +

The importance of the systems analysis course is represented in conducting a comprehensive analysis by developing a unified structure in which quantitative analysis is used to study the relationship between the elements of that system. This course also focuses on studying the relationship between variables and to identify the elements and components of different systems and to identify the inputs, outputs and variables of the different analysis systems, and to identify the mathematical methods that help to interpret the analysis systems.

SW4903 Advanced Topics 03 Compulsory +

The advanced topics course describes the basic concepts in research and writing articles and scientific reports. This course also deals with teaching the student how to write scientific reports and articles. Through this course, the student chooses the scientific topics related to his research of study. The student also learns how to analyze and compare scientific papers and sources to enhance his research capabilities.

SW4963 Advanced Management and Design of Irrigation and Drainage Projects 03 Elective +

This course aims to plan and manage irrigation and drainage projects, to introduce the concepts of water resources and their management in order to make optimal use of the management of irrigation and drainage projects. This course deals with the scientific methods used in studying irrigation and drainage projects and managing them properly. This course explains the various problems of exploiting marginal waters by studying groundwater reservoirs. Where the student learns scientific applications in the field of water and land resources management, as well as analyzes the causes of pollution of various water resources and the environmental effects of that.

SW4971 Seminar 01 Compulsory +

The seminar course is concerned with preparing the student's research plan, as well as teaching the student how to present his own research in a convincing way to listeners from different disciplines. The student also learns how to write a research proposal in an accurate scientific manner. One of the objectives of this course is also for the student to highlight the skills required to discuss reviewers and critics and how to prepare scientific response reports.

SW4973 Advanced Remote Sensing 03 Elective +

This course is concerned with identifying the concept of remote sensing techniques and their applications in the field of land resources. This course introduces the different sources of information for remote sensing technology, which include aerial photographs and satellite images. This course is also concerned with explaining the operations used in the processing of satellite visuals, which include geometric correction, subtraction, processing, optimization, visual analysis, and unsupervised and supervised classification. The student learns how to use some of the software used in remote sensing techniques, such as: ERDAS IMAGINE or ENVI, in the study of land resources (soil - water - vegetation and land cover).

6th Semester

Code Title Credits Course Type Prerequisite
SW4996 Thesis 06 Compulsory +

This course is concerned with enabling the student to choose the subject of study. The student also learns the stages of research for the subject of his study. The student also learns how to present the chosen research problem and find solutions and proposals for it.