Objectives & career opportunities

Learning objectives

Knowledge of underground hydrology and water resources management from an integrative point of view, as well as its application in the development of studies, projects and operations where the use, maintenance, conservation and restoration of groundwater and water resources is required, in its field.
Training in the knowledge and use of all advanced technologies used in the study of groundwater and water resources, including environmental characterization techniques, field and laboratory experimental techniques, instrumentation and advanced computational and numerical modeling techniques.
Capacity to design and construct water wells for drinking water supply, drainage and other purposes without negatively affecting the environment, with emphasis on the protection of wetlands and other ecosystems or sensitive areas.
Capacity to address and solve environmental problems related to groundwater as well as those surface water bodies that depend on groundwater discharge, including those associated with civil works construction, mining, solid waste management, and others.
Capacity to develop projects for the maintenance, conservation and restoration of groundwater and water and energy resources, in their field.
Capacity to identify, formulate and solve problems related to groundwater. Pose and solve groundwater hydrology problems with initiative, decision-making skills and creativity. Develop a systematic and creative method of analysis and problem solving.
Training to work in the context of multidisciplinary groups formed by geologists, engineers, geophysicists, chemists, biologists and other professionals.
Training to develop aquifer and land restoration projects.
Training in transversal skills such as teamwork, team leadership and oral and written expression.

Career opportunities

Hydrogeologist: responsible for the evaluation, planning and management of aquifers and groundwater resources, participating in the delimitation of water bodies, water balance and hydrological planning in both the public sector and private consultancies through hydrogeological, geochemical and geophysical studies.
Hydrogeological modelling technician: specialist in the construction, development and calibration of numerical models of groundwater flow and contaminant transport in aquifers for the sustainable management of groundwater and decision-making in engineering, supply or remediation projects.
Aquifer quality and contamination consultant: professional who carries out vulnerability studies, contaminant monitoring, recharge area protection plans and design and implementation of aquifer decontamination techniques, collaborating with administrations and sanitation and energy companies.
Manager of groundwater collection and use projects: responsible for designing, executing and maintaining wells, galleries and pumping systems, as well as optimizing supply networks that depend on aquifers.
Engineer hydrogeologist: professional who studies the behaviour of groundwater in interaction with surface water, participates in civil works projects, artificial recharge, drought management, prevention of saline intrusion and geothermal use, etc.
Specialist in hydrogeological risk management: analyses and designs strategies to mitigate risks associated with subsidence, overexploitation of aquifers, marine intrusion or diffuse pollution, working with water management authorities or infrastructure companies.
Researcher in hydrogeology: develops new techniques for characterizing aquifers, systems monitoring, managed recharge methods or in situ pollutant treatment technologies.
Technician in geophysics and hydrogeological prospecting: responsible for survey campaigns, pumping tests and geophysical methods for the identification of aquifers and the characterization of their hydraulic properties.
Responsible for sustainability and integrated management of groundwater resources: expert in integrating the exploitation of groundwater with territorial planning, adaptation to climate change and the protection of ecosystems dependent on aquifers.
Environmental technician: expert in the management of environmental ecosystems dependent on aquifers (river, wetlands, coastal areas, etc.) for private companies or administrations.
Professor in hydrogeology: professional dedicated to university education or technical training in centres specialized in groundwater, research institutions or water administrations.

Knowledge

Identify technological and management solutions for the use, conservation and restoration of groundwater and water resources through a comprehensive approach to studies, projects and operations.
Identify hydrodynamic, geochemical, biological and isotopic processes related to groundwater flow and reactive transport of solutes in the subsoil.
Identify technological solutions to environmental problems related to groundwater, as well as those surface water bodies that depend on groundwater discharge, including problems associated with the construction of civil works, mining, solid waste management, among others.
Recognize all advanced technologies used in the study of groundwater and water resources, including environmental characterization techniques, field and laboratory experimental techniques, instrumentation and computational techniques and advanced numerical modeling.
Recognize the methods of design and construction of wells and other groundwater abstractions for drinking water supply, drainage and other purposes without negatively affecting the environment, with special emphasis on the protection of wetlands and other ecosystems or sensitive areas.
Recognize all advanced technologies used in projects for the maintenance, conservation and restoration of groundwater and water and energy resources in their area.

Skills

Apply scientific concepts to hydrogeological problems and their correlation with technological concepts.
Use basic laboratory and field work skills.
Apply methods and instrumentation for the determination of relevant parameters in the analysis of hydrogeological problems.
Investigate water quality to ensure that it is suitable for its intended use.
Use effective and empathetic communication strategies in environments of diverse nature, adapting to the context and the needs of the audience.
Use digital technologies and data in an ethical and critical manner for problem solving, decision-making and knowledge generation in their professional field.

Competencies

Propose water management and environmental risk assessment methodologies related to groundwater, assessing their economic costs and according to applicable legislation.
Manage cross-cutting projects according to project evaluation parameters.
Develop basic documentation for hydrogeological projects.
Analyse the technical and economic viability of hydrogeological projects.
Evaluate advanced conventional and unconventional water management systems and propose their mass and energy balance.
Evaluate mitigation and/or decontamination schemes for aquifers and soils for contaminated sites.
Design solutions to hydrogeological and water resource problems, and propose their mass and energy balance.
Critically assess the environmental, social and economic impacts of products and services related to groundwater hydrology, promoting actions that foster sustainability and social justice in collaboration with relevant agents.
Make informed and reflective decisions in complex situations, applying ethical principles in the academic, professional and social context to promote responsibility and social commitment.
Integrate solutions within their own discipline that incorporate a gender perspective, taking into account identified biases and inequalities.
Generate creative solutions to social or technological problems, considering sustainability, the business model and the undertaking requirements.
Evaluate sources of information critically and responsibly, avoiding plagiarism, respecting copyright and critically managing the overabundance of information.