Watershed Hydrology Course | IIT Kharagpur | Prof. Rajendra Singh
Course Details
| Exam Registration | 174 |
|---|---|
| Course Status | Ongoing |
| Course Type | Core |
| Language | English |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Categories | Agricultural and Food Engineering, Integrated Soil and Water Management |
| Credit Points | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate/Postgraduate |
| 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 |
Master the Science of Water: A Comprehensive Guide to Watershed Hydrology
Water is the lifeblood of our planet, and understanding its movement, storage, and management is critical for sustainable development. Watershed Hydrology is the specialized field that studies these very processes—from raindrop to river. This 12-week course, meticulously designed and taught by the esteemed Prof. Rajendra Singh of IIT Kharagpur, offers an unparalleled deep dive into this essential discipline. Whether you're an aspiring engineer, an environmental scientist, or a professional in water resources, this course provides the foundational knowledge and practical skills needed to tackle real-world water challenges.
About the Instructor: Learn from an International Expert
Gain insights from a professor with decades of dedicated teaching and groundbreaking research experience. Prof. Rajendra Singh's distinguished career provides a rich, global perspective to the course content.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Education | UG – Univ. of Allahabad (1985); PG & PhD – IIT Kharagpur (1987, 1993) |
| Post-Doctoral Research | Danish Hydraulic Inst., Denmark (1995-96); University of Connecticut, USA (1999-2000) |
| Teaching Experience | IIT Kharagpur – Professor since 2003; Visiting Professor at Potsdam Univ., Germany & Waikato Inst. of Tech., New Zealand |
Who Should Enroll in This Watershed Hydrology Course?
This course is strategically designed to benefit a wide range of learners and professionals committed to water stewardship.
- Students: Undergraduates and postgraduates in Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, and Hydrology.
- Professionals: Individuals working in water resource management, environmental consulting, government agencies, and NGOs focused on conservation.
- Industry Support: Highly relevant for professionals in Environmental Consulting Firms, Civil Engineering Companies, Agriculture & Irrigation Industries, and Urban Planning.
Course Overview: What You Will Learn
Watershed Hydrology examines the storage and flow of water across the Earth's surface. This course will empower you to analyze key processes like precipitation, evaporation, infiltration, and runoff. You'll learn to develop models for predicting floods and droughts, assess water quality, and make informed decisions for sustainable water management. The curriculum balances robust theory with hands-on practical exercises.
Detailed 12-Week Course Layout
Weeks 1-3: Fundamentals & Precipitation Analysis
- Hydrological cycle, forms of precipitation.
- Rainfall measurement, mean rainfall estimation, and frequency analysis.
- Hyetographs, Depth-Area-Duration (DAD), and Intensity-Frequency-Duration (IFD) curves.
Weeks 4-7: Core Hydrologic Processes & Runoff
- Interception, Infiltration (measurement & indices), Evaporation.
- Runoff factors, measurement, and stage-discharge rating curves.
- Peak runoff estimation using Rational, Cook's, and the SCS Curve Number method.
- Hydrograph analysis, unit hydrograph theory, S-curve, and synthetic hydrographs.
- Practical Exercises on infiltration, runoff volume, and hydrograph computation.
Weeks 8-10: Watershed Characteristics & Modeling
- Drainage basin geomorphology: stream order, drainage density.
- Introduction to hydrological modeling: concepts, calibration, validation.
- Flood studies: definitions, control methods, and design flood computation.
Weeks 11-12: Flood Routing & Drought Management
- Flood routing techniques for channels and reservoirs.
- Understanding drought: classification, causes, impacts, and management strategies.
Essential Reference Books
Supplement your learning with these cornerstone texts recommended by Prof. Singh:
- Subramanya, K. (2008). Engineering Hydrology. 3rd Edition, Tata McGraw-Hill.
- Chow, V.T., Maidment D.R., and Mays L.W. (2010). Applied Hydrology, McGraw Hill.
- Raghunath, H.M. (2006). Hydrology: Principles Analysis and Design. New Age International.
This course is more than an academic pursuit; it's an investment in the expertise required to manage one of our most precious resources. Under the guidance of Prof. Rajendra Singh, you will gain the analytical tools and practical knowledge to contribute meaningfully to the field of water resources engineering and environmental sustainability.
Enroll Now →