B.Eng. Water Resources Engineering

The B.Eng. Water Resources Engineering program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the planning, design, management, and sustainability of water resources systems. Rooted in the principles of civil and environmental engineering, the curriculum emphasizes the study of hydrology, hydraulics, water quality, groundwater flow, and watershed management. Students explore the dynamics of surface and subsurface water, learning to design infrastructure such as dams, reservoirs, channels, and water treatment facilities. With an increasing global focus on water conservation and sustainability, the program also delves into topics like rainwater harvesting, flood risk management, and the environmental impact of water projects. Hands-on experiences, including fieldwork, laboratory studies, and simulation modelling, complement theoretical instruction. As climate change poses challenges to global water security and availability, graduates of this program are poised to develop innovative solutions that ensure the equitable and sustainable use of this vital resource.

Admission Requirements

Candidates are admitted into the degree programme in either of the following two ways:

1. Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Mode (5 Year Degree Programme)
2. Direct Entry (DE) Mode (4 Year Degree Programme)

• Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) Mode

For the five-year degree programme, in addition to acceptable passes in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), the minimum admission requirement is credit level passes in Senior School Certificate (SSC) in at least five subjects, which must include English Language, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and other acceptable science subjects at not more than two sittings.

• Direct Entry (DE) Mode

For the four-year Direct Entry, in addition to five (5) Senior School Certificate (SSC) credit passes, which must include English Language, two must be principal subjects at advanced GCE Level or NCE and its equivalent. Holder of upper credit level at HND are eligible for consideration for admission into 300 level.

Graduation Requirements

The following regulations shall govern the conditions for the award of an honours degree in Engineering and Technology:

1. Candidates admitted through the UTME mode shall have registered for a minimum of 150 and a maximum of 180 units of courses during the 5–year engineering degree programme. Such candidates shall have spent a minimum of ten academic semesters.
2. Candidates admitted through the Direct entry mode shall have registered for a minimum of 120 and a maximum of 150 units of courses during a 4–year engineering degree programme. Such candidates shall have spent a minimum of eight academic semesters.
3. The minimum and maximum credit load per semester is 15 and 24 credit units, respectively.
4. A student shall have completed and passed all the Courses registered for, including all compulsory courses and such elective /optional courses as may be specified by the university/faculty or department; obtained a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) specified by the university but not less than 1.00.
5. A student shall also have earned the 15 credit units of Students Industrial Work Experience Scheme (SIWES), 8 credit units of University General Study courses and four credit units of Entrepreneurship courses.

For graduates with a B.Eng. in Water Resources Engineering, considering the increasing global emphasis on water management and sustainability, here are key career opportunities:

• Hydrologist: Studying the distribution, movement, and properties of water in the environment.
• Hydraulic Engineer: Designing and analyzing structures like dams, channels, and levees that manage or harness water flow.
• Water Quality Specialist: Assessing and ensuring the quality of water sources and recommending purification methods.
• Flood Management Engineer: Evaluating flood risks and designing measures to prevent or mitigate flood impacts.
• Groundwater Consultant: Focusing on groundwater management, including aquifer assessment, well design, and contamination remediation.
• Water Treatment Engineer: Designing, optimizing, and maintaining water treatment plants to ensure safe drinking water.
• Irrigation Engineer: Planning and implementing irrigation systems to optimize water use in agriculture.
• Stormwater Management Specialist: Designing systems to manage and treat stormwater runoff in urban environments.
• Water Resources Manager: Overseeing the use and management of water resources in municipalities or specific industries.
• Environmental Consultant: Providing expert advice on water-related projects to ensure environmental compliance and sustainability.
• Research Scientist: Engaging in research related to water resources, from new purification techniques to the ecological impacts of water projects.
• Water Policy Advisor:** Working with governments or organizations to formulate policies and guidelines related to water usage, rights, and conservation.

Given the challenges posed by population growth, urbanization, and climate change, water resources engineers are crucial in ensuring the responsible and sustainable use and management of water, a resource that’s fundamental to life and socio-economic activities.