Overview

Major themes covered

1. Importance of models in scientific inquiry
2. A brief history of different approaches to catchment modelling
3. Introduction to MATLAB programming language
4. Obtaining and processing the input data for models
5. Modelling of hydrological processes
6. Automated calibration of model parameters
7. Lumped vs. distributed catchment models
8. Polyscape: A landscape analysis tool for modelling the effects of multi-stakeholder interaction in catchment management decisions

Learning Outcomes

• An understanding of how models can inform land-use decisions by different stakeholders that affect catchment processes.

• A thorough understanding of basic environmental modelling concepts such as the control volume approach, interaction and coupling of multiple processes, input data preparation, and parameter calibration

• An ability to understand and critique existing catchment models in the literature, especially their assumptions and limitations.

• An ability to visualise the data and build process-based models in MATLAB programming language.