Water Quality and Water Management

6 EC

Semester 1, period 1

5224WQWM6Y

Owner Master Biological Sciences
Coordinator prof. dr. M.H.S. Kraak
Part of Master Biological Sciences, track Ecology and Evolution, Master Biological Sciences, track General Biology, Master Biological Sciences, track Green Life Sciences, Master Biological Sciences, track Freshwater and Marine Biology, Master Biological Sciences, track Evolution of Behaviour and Mind,
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Course manual 2025/2026

Course content

The aim of this MSc course is to introduce the students to the wide variety of applied aquatic sciences, including surface water and sediment quality, drinking water quality and water management. Our planet is facing unprecedented challenges to halt biodiversity losses, to safeguard good drinking water quality and to face sea level rise, especially in delta areas. We obviously need young professionals to come up with futureproof solutions. Participating in this course will aid to prepare the students for jobs with a high societal relevance facing these challenges.

The course departs from setting the legislative frameworks, the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and Marine Directives, to protect the aquatic environment, and introduces how to assess ecological water quality according to the WFD. This introduction phase will be followed by five cycles of keynote lectures and excursions to water research institutes and water authorities. The themes include successively: 1. Ecological water quality assessment in theory and practice (Waterboard Wetterskip Fryslan & Outdoor Mesocosm facility Sinderhoeve (WenR)); 2. Urban waters (Waterboard Waternet & Municipality of Amsterdam); 3. Drinking water quality (KWR Water Research & Water Company PWN); Ocean health; Marine water management and fish migration (Water authority RWS & Haringvliet). The students have to prepare themselves for the keynote lectures and excursions with the help of material provided by the lectures made available on CANVAS. A unique learning objective of this course is that students must individually write a policy brief on a topic of their choice under the guidance of the lectures. The course concludes with a symposium where students present their policy brief.

Study materials

Other

  • All study material will be made available via Canvas

Objectives

  • To have knowledge of the freshwater and marine directives to protect the aquatic environment.
  • The ability to reproduce the procedures for ecological water quality assessment according to the Water Framework directive.
  • The ability to assess the ecological water quality in practice.
  • To be able to reproduce the complex drivers of urban water systems.
  • The ability to explain the challenges to produce clean drinking water.
  • To be able to explain the functioning of waste water treatment plants and drinking water preparation installations.
  • To be able to explain the different threats of ocean health.
  • To have knowledge of the complex drivers and stakeholder interests that influence water management.
  • The ability to have in depth scientific discussions with experts in the field of water quality and water management.
  • To write a policy brief on a specific topic in the field of water quality and water management.
  • To present the student’s own work on a symposium.

Teaching methods

  • Lecture
  • Fieldwork/excursion
  • Presentation/symposium
  • Self-study
  • Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
  • Supervision/feedback meeting
  • Computer lab session/practical training

Learning activities

Activity

Hours

Excursie

32

Hoorcollege

29

Laptopcollege

2

Presentatie

8

Werkcollege

20

Self study

77

Total

168

(6 EC x 28 uur)

Attendance

  • Some course components require compulsory attendance. If compulsory attendance applies, this will be indicated in the Course Catalogue which can be consulted via the UvA-website. The rationale for and implementation of this compulsory attendance may vary per course and, if applicable, is included in the Course Manual.

    • Additional requirements for this course:

    Attendance during excursions, practical, tutorials, supervisor meetings and presentations is mandatory

    Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    The final grade is based on the assessment of the individually written policy brief (80%) and the accompanying oral presentation (20%)

    Inspection of assessed work

    Via Canvas and email

    Assignments

    Individual policy brief and individual oral presentation. For pitching of the subject, supervisor meetings, presentation and deadlines, see course schedule

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen Studiestof
    1    
    2    
    3    
    4    
    5    
    6    
    7    
    8    

    see course schedule on Canvas

    Additional information

    Please note that all practicals, excursions and fieldwork, tutorials, supervisor meetings and presentations require your attendance. Otherwise, the learning objectives cannot be fulfilled.

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • prof. dr. M.H.S. Kraak