Course Syllabus
Contact Information
Course Details
This course is to introduce the student to a broad range of topics in open channel hydraulics, including the following: Conservation Equations (energy, momentum and mass), uniform flow, gradually-varied flow, specific energy and rapidly-varied flow. The activities during the course will allow the student to gain a qualitative understanding as well as a sound theoretical background. Concepts learned in this class will be applied to practical hydraulic design problems in either homework assignments or a HEC-RAS project. Upon successful completion of this course, the student should have the tools needed to solve most steady-flow open channel problems such as channel analysis and design, floodplain analysis, computation of water surface profiles, and design of hydraulic structures.
Topical Outline
During the class, we will cover a good portion of the chapters in the text. Text reading will be supplemented with handouts in each module. The tentative order of the topics is listed below (note that we will not proceed sequentially through the book):
- Review of fluid mechanics, including the governing conservation equations.
- Uniform flow and its computation.
- Energy principle and critical depth.
- Gradually-varied flow and computation of water surface profiles.
- Momentum principle, rapidly-varied flow and channel controls.
- Channel transitions.
Course Materials
Open Channel Hydraulics (Third Edition), Terry Sturm, McGraw Hill, ©2021. ISBN: 9781260469707
- This text is available through the OU Bookstore or other online booksellers.
Throughout the semester, you will be asked to scan and upload your work. Here are some options for free scanning software:
- Evernote Scannable (iOS)
- Tiny Scan (Android & iOS)
- Genius Scan (Android & iOS)
- Handy Scan (Windows Phone)
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Participation | 5% |
| Concept Quizzes | 15% |
| Homework Assignments | 30% |
| Exam | 25% |
| HEC-RAS Project | 25% |
| Total | 100% |
Grade Scale
Letter grades will be assigned based on the 90-80-70 scales; however, I reserve the right to adjust these grade scale percentages by plus or minus 5% depending on how the semester progresses and the amount of effort given to each category.
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
Concept Quizzes
There will be concept quizzes given after some of the topical areas; they will be designed to test your understanding of basic concepts and will consist primarily of true/false and multiple-choice questions. Unless stated otherwise, all concept quizzes will be closed book and notes. Some of these quizzes will also occur following videos of lecture materials to ensure Students can drop their lowest score.
Homework Assignment
Homework assignments will be given for some of the modules and you will be given approximately two weeks to complete the assignment unless otherwise noted on Canvas; the due date and time will be given within each homework assignment. Late assignments will lose 5% for every day they are late. Note that after homework solutions are posted late submissions will no longer be accepted.
Exam
This is an open-book and open-notes take-home exam that will be given after we have covered the basic groundwater concepts. This will be approximately in the 9th or 10th week of the course.
HEC-RAS Project
There will be an individual project based on a computer modeling exercise.
Participation
A participation score will be determined from the attendance at the live sessions. If you are not able to attend a live session, there will be a chance to get the attendance points by watching the recorded session and provide a short summary.
Course Policies
Communication
All communication for this course should occur via email (directly or through Canvas). A response to emails will occur within 24 to 48 hours (during the week). During weekends, response times will vary.
W’s, I’s and AU’s
Withdrawal deadlines, and deadlines for switching from credit to audit, are listed in OU’s Course Schedule. No exceptions to these dates will be granted. A grade of incomplete will be issued only if, due to extenuating circumstances, the student has a small amount of work remaining to be completed at the end of the semester. The student must be passing the course at the time the “I” grade is given. Work must then be completed within a specified time frame, but it will year.
Late Policy
As mentioned in the Homework Assignment section, late assignments will lose 5% for every day they are late. Note that after homework solutions are posted late submissions will no longer be accepted.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is the most common form of academic misconduct at OU. There is basically no college-level assignment that can be satisfactorily completed by copying. OU's basic assumption about writing is that all written assignments show the student's own understanding in the student's own words. That means all writing assignments, in class or out, are assumed to be composed entirely of words generated (not simply found) by the student, except where words written by someone else are specifically marked as such with proper citation. Including other people's words in your paper is helpful when you do it honestly and correctly. When you don't, it's plagiarism.
For more information about plagiarism, watch this video and then take this short course offered by University Libraries.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.