Groundwater Hydrology & Management Course | IIT Bombay | Prof. Pennan Chinnasamy
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 377 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Elective |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Civil Engineering, Multidisciplinary, Environment |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Start Date | 19 Jan 2026 |
| End Date | 10 Apr 2026 |
| Enrollment Ends | 02 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Registration Ends | 20 Feb 2026 |
| Exam Date | 18 Apr 2026 IST |
| NCrF Level | 4.5 — 8.0 |
Why Understanding Groundwater is the Key to Our Future
Groundwater is the invisible lifeline of our planet. As the world's most extracted natural resource, it sustains agriculture, provides drinking water, and offers resilience against climate extremes like droughts and floods. Yet, its science is often misunderstood, leading to alarming rates of depletion and contamination. In India, the world's largest groundwater user, mastering this science is not just academic—it's a necessity for survival and sustainable development.
This is where a structured, expert-led education becomes paramount. We are proud to introduce a detailed 12-week course on Groundwater Hydrology and Management, designed and taught by a leading global expert from the Indian Institute of Technology, Bombay.
Meet Your Instructor: Prof. Pennan Chinnasamy
This course is led by Prof. Pennan Chinnasamy, an Associate Professor at IIT Bombay's Centre for Technology Alternatives for Rural Areas (CTARA). Prof. Chinnasamy is a distinguished scholar with a unique blend of academic rigor and practical field experience.
Academic and Professional Pedigree
- Education: BSc (Physics), Double Masters (Physics), and a PhD in Natural Resources.
- Global Experience: Adjunct Professor at the University of Missouri, University of Nebraska (USA), and Oulu University (Finland).
- Field Work: Former researcher at the International Water Management Institute (Nepal), Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (India), and the Nanyang Water and Energy Institute (Singapore).
- Policy Influence: His research informs policies for the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, EPA, and governments of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and India's Ministry of Science and Technology.
Pioneering the RuDRA Lab
Prof. Chinnasamy is the founding director of the Rural Data Research and Analysis (RuDRA) Lab at IIT Bombay. This pioneering lab is the first of its kind dedicated to applying Big Data, AI, Machine Learning, and satellite remote sensing to solve complex rural resource management challenges, with a significant focus on water.
Course Overview: Groundwater Hydrology and Management
This 12-week undergraduate-level course is designed to build a strong foundational and applied understanding of groundwater systems.
Duration: 12 Weeks
Level: Undergraduate
Categories: Civil Engineering, Multidisciplinary Studies, Environmental Science
Who Should Enroll?
This course is ideally suited for students and professionals in:
- Civil Engineering
- Earth Sciences & Geology
- Rural Development & Agriculture
- Environmental Science and Policy
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
| Week | Topic | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Introduction to Groundwater | Importance, basic concepts, and the global groundwater cycle. |
| Week 2 | International Importance & Focus on India | Global use patterns and India's status as the largest extractor. |
| Week 3 | Physics and Hydrology of Groundwater | Fundamental principles governing water movement underground. |
| Week 4 | Governing Equations 1 (Unconfined Aquifer) | Mathematical modeling of water table aquifers. |
| Week 5 | Governing Equations 2 (Confined Aquifer) | Mathematical modeling of pressurized aquifers. |
| Week 6 | Groundwater Recharge and Discharge | How groundwater is replenished and how it exits the aquifer. |
| Week 7 | Types of Groundwater Wells and Pumping | Well design, construction, and pumping mechanics. |
| Week 8 | Well Types and Energy Sources | Comparative analysis of pumping technologies and their energy costs. |
| Week 9 | Aquifer Stratification and Groundwater Data | Understanding layered aquifer systems and key data parameters. |
| Week 10 | Groundwater Data Access in India | Navigating national and regional groundwater databases. |
| Week 11 | Databases and Conceptual Model Development | Integrating data to build a conceptual understanding of an aquifer system. |
| Week 12 | Groundwater Models | Introduction to numerical modeling for simulation and management. |
Key Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the physical and hydrological principles governing groundwater flow.
- Differentiate between aquifer types and their governing equations.
- Analyze groundwater recharge, discharge, and well hydraulics.
- Access and interpret groundwater data from public sources in India.
- Develop conceptual models and understand the basics of numerical groundwater modeling.
- Appreciate the critical role of sustainable groundwater management in the context of climate change and food security.
Essential Reference Books
The course curriculum is supported by a robust reading list, including field notes from the instructor:
- Freeze & Cherry (1979): Groundwater - The seminal textbook in hydrogeology.
- Fetter (2018): Applied Hydrogeology - A practical, application-focused guide.
- Raghunath (2006): Hydrology: Principles, Analysis and Design - A comprehensive text with an Indian context.
- Ward & Robinson (1967), Dingman (2015), Viessman et al. (2003): Foundational texts on general hydrology principles.
Why This Course is Essential
This course goes beyond theory. It is infused with Prof. Chinnasamy's real-world experience from projects across the globe and his cutting-edge work at the RuDRA Lab using big data and AI. You will learn not just the "what" and "how" of groundwater, but also the "why" behind sustainable management practices that are being implemented at the highest levels of policy.
Whether you aim to be a civil engineer, a policy maker, a researcher, or an environmental consultant, this course provides the critical knowledge base needed to tackle one of the 21st century's most pressing resource challenges.
Enroll today to secure your understanding of the world's most vital hidden resource.
Enroll Now →