| Full Title | Master of Science Degree / Postgraduate Diploma in Water Resources Engineering and Management |
| Abbreviated title | M.Sc./ PG Diploma in Water Resources Engineering and Management |
| Offering Modes | M.Sc. Degree (Full-time) One Year M.Sc. Degree (Part-time) Two Years PG Diploma (Part-time) One Year |
Course Outline
The admissions of international and local students to the M. Sc. / P.G. Diploma course are scheduled for May~August every year. The minimum duration of Master of Science Degree courses is one (01) year (12 months) on a full-time basis or 21 months on a part-time basis, and the minimum Research Methods for Water Resources Engineering Planning and Management of Postgraduate Diploma is one (01) year (12 months) on a part-time basis. The common core modules will be conducted together while other compulsory modules and the electives will be offered separately. The part-time option is available only for local students. During the first 12 months, which is common to both groups, the students will follow a course of intensive lectures and attend seminars. Lectures and research activities for full-time (local and international) students will be conducted from Tuesday to Saturday. The full-time students are expected to commence the research projects from the beginning of the course while the part-time students have the option of late commencement. For part-time (local) students, lectures will be conducted usually only on Fridays and Saturdays. On special occasions, especially when exchange/visiting lecturers are available from overseas, selected activities may be conducted on other days.
All taught courses are offered during the first 12-month period, which consists of three terms. In the first two terms, three subjects are taught per term with written examinations at the end of the term. During the third term, two subjects are offered with written examinations at the end of the term. During these three terms, students will also engage in the relevant design coursework assignments and be continuously evaluated on their assignments, reports and seminars. Those who successfully complete all examinations are eligible to continue for M. Sc. Degree or to obtain P.G. Diploma. Those who register for M. Sc. Degree need to carry out a research project in a specified area under the guidance of a supervisor(s). The research project has to be completed by the end of the fourth term and on completion, the results should be submitted in the form of a dissertation. Upon submission of the dissertation, a formal assessment of the research work will be undertaken in line with the University of Moratuwa rules and regulations.
Course Details
The degree/diploma course is designed to cater candidates with engineering backgrounds, and with an interest in the ever growing, diverse fields of water resources planning, engineering and management. The course content of the above programme has been carefully prepared to enhance the candidates’ theoretical knowledge on design and practical applications while addressing various aspects pertaining to Water Resources Engineering and Management.
Teaching and learning methods are aligned to provide an integrated and interdisciplinary approach. Programme structure brings together the scientific study of water resources with practical planning and management skills, encouraging participants to study water management from a multi – disciplinary perspective and to seek integrated solutions. Effective use of computer software in water resources and watershed modelling, designing of hydraulic structures, Geographic Information System (GIS) and Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) related aspects have also been incorporated. Each module has assignments, design and management coursework with Problem Based Learning (PBL) component which helps participating engineers/scientists to solve real life problems related to Water Resources Engineering and Management. Improvement of communication and presentation skills is also achieved through seminars, coursework assignments and oral tests. The compulsory research project (for M.Sc. programs) is envisaged to provide a good opportunity for the candidates to develop their research skills.
Field visits, guest lectures and field measurement/experiment procedures are arranged for the participants on a regular basis to further enhance their learning experience and field exposure, offering them an opportunity to acquire field oriented knowledge and practical, real-life experience very much needed to handle multifaceted issues in water resources management and water engineering related areas.
The one-year M. Sc. (full-time) program offered at the UMCSAWM has been designed to cater for the demand from professional engineers to advance their technical knowhow after gaining adequate experience in the field of engineering while getting exposed to the emerging advanced knowledge dimensions across a wide swathe of domains.
The total credit requirement is 60 for the program (for both fulltime and part-time courses), which is comparable with any other M.Sc. program.
This all-embracing program structure based on taught courses, research and especially with Problem Based Learning (PBL) approach common to all modules brings together the scientific study of water resources with practical planning and management skills, encouraging participants to study water management from a multi-disciplinary perspective and to seek integrated solutions.
The subjects offered would cover the main areas of;
Compulsory modules (28 Credits)
– Advanced Engineering Hydrology and Watershed Management
– Advanced Irrigation Water Management for Food and Water Security
– Advanced River Engineering and Estuary Hydraulics
– Integrated Water Resources Management
– Remote Sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for Planning and Management
– Research Methods for Water Resources Engineering Planning and Management
– Water Resources Project Planning & Management
– Water Supply and Sanitation Systems and Water Quality Management
Elective modules (12 Credits)
– Advanced Coastal Engineering and Estuary Management
– Advanced GIS for Water Resources Management
– Advanced Remote Sensing and Global Positioning Systems
– Advanced Water Supply and Sanitation Systems for Engineering Applications
– Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Options for Water Management
– Disaster Risk Assessment, Reduction and Mitigation
– Environmental Assessment of Water and Related Infrastructure Development
– Service Delivery Assessment Concepts for Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
– Water Resources Systems and Watershed Management for Planning and Management
Research Project (20 Credits)
– Supervised Research Project (for M.Sc. only) relevant to the course for the Master of Science Degree
Course Duration
| Degree | Minimum Duration | Permitted Duration | Maximum Duration |
| M. Sc. (Full Time) | 12 months | 18 months | 36 months |
| M. Sc. (Part Time) | 21 months | 36 months | 48 months |
| P.G. Dip. (Part Time) | 12 months | 24 months | 48 months |