SCE PE Water Resources & Environmental study plan
SCE PE Water Resources & Environmental · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Hydrology & Hydraulics - Closed Conduit
Derive runoff peaks with the rational method from IDF curves, computing time of concentration three ways and reconciling the differences
Construct a unit hydrograph from a rainfall-excess hyetograph and convolve it to a storm hydrograph
Compute friction head loss in series pipelines using Darcy-Weisbach and Hazen-Williams, and compare the two results
Build a system curve, overlay a pump curve, and locate the operating point plus the effect of a parallel pump
Your checkpoint
Timed 20-problem set covering rational method and closed-conduit head loss, scored at 80% or better, with a written error log of every missed item
Hydrology & Hydraulics - Open Channel
Apply Manning's equation to solve for discharge, normal depth, and slope in trapezoidal, triangular, and circular sections
Classify uniform, gradually varied, and rapidly varied flow and identify when each governs a design reach
Compute critical depth and specific energy, and sketch the specific-energy diagram for a rectangular channel
Estimate peak discharge with NRCS curve-number methods and compare against a rational-method estimate for the same watershed
Your checkpoint
One-page tabulated comparison of rational-method versus curve-number peak flows for three synthetic watersheds, with assumptions stated
Hydraulics - Closed Conduit & Hydraulics - Open Channel
Solve series, parallel, and branching pipe networks using continuity, energy, and equivalent-length methods
Analyze a hydraulic jump: sequent depths, energy loss, and the Froude-number classification upstream and downstream
Size a culvert for a design storm, checking inlet control versus outlet control
Evaluate water-hammer surge pressure from a sudden valve closure and select a surge-protection measure
Your checkpoint
Full-length hydraulics practice section of 40 mixed closed-conduit and open-channel items, scored at 75% or better with each error coded by cause
Hydrology & Hydraulics - Open Channel
Route a design hydrograph through a detention basin using modified rational and storage-indication methods
Plot and interpret gradually varied flow profiles for mild, steep, critical, and horizontal slopes
Compute flow over sharp-crested and broad-crested weirs and through submerged orifices
Size a grassed or riprap-lined channel for a given discharge with an acceptable freeboard
Your checkpoint
Midpoint mini-exam of 40 questions drawn from hydrology and open channel, scored at 75% or better, plus a one-page formula sheet version 1
Water and Wastewater Engineering (Environmental)
Design a coagulation, flocculation, and sedimentation train: dose, detention times, overflow rate, and weir loading
Size a granular-media filter battery and compute backwash requirements
Calculate CT and log inactivation for a disinfection sequence against a stated regulatory target
Design an activated sludge system by selecting SRT, F/M, MLSS, and recycle ratio, then checking the oxygen demand
Your checkpoint
Complete treatment-train design calculation package for a stated design flow and effluent limit, with a 30-question environmental set scored at 75% or better
Water and Wastewater Engineering (Environmental) & Analysis and Design
Compute secondary clarifier solids loading and check the sludge volume index against the aeration design
Estimate biosolids production and select a thickening-dewatering train
Apply potable-water and effluent regulatory limits to a design scenario and justify the selected process
Perform life-cycle cost and present-worth comparisons between two treatment alternatives
Your checkpoint
Two-page written design memo selecting between two treatment alternatives on both technical and cost grounds, defended with computed numbers
Analysis and Design & Hydrology
Re-solve every item in the accumulated error log without notes and confirm the fix
Apply engineering economics: present worth, annual cost, benefit-cost ratio, and break-even analysis
Interpret probability, risk, and return-period concepts in a hydrologic design context
Review constructability, permitting, and QA/QC issues that drive a design decision
Your checkpoint
50-question mixed set assembled only from the weakest logged topics, scored at 80% or better, with the error log fully cleared
Hydrology & Hydraulics - Closed Conduit & Hydraulics - Open Channel & Water and Wastewater Engineering (Environmental) & Analysis and Design
Sit two full-length timed practice exams under exam conditions with no formula-sheet consultation beyond the approved sheet
Diagnose every missed item by domain and cause, then re-drill the top three failure patterns
Finalize the formula sheet to one page per domain with unit conversions and common pitfalls
Rehearse a time-budget strategy and confirm it holds across both full exams
Your checkpoint
Two completed full-length mock exams scored at 75% or better overall, submitted with a final one-page-per-domain formula sheet and a ranked remediation list
Milestones
Week 2: Score 80% or better on the rational-method and Manning's-equation drills, and explain time-of-concentration differences in writing
Week 4: Score 75% or better on the 40-item hydrology and open-channel mini-exam with formula sheet version 1 complete
Week 6: Produce a defensible treatment-train design and a costed alternatives memo scoring 75% or better on the environmental set
Week 8: Complete two full-length timed mocks at 75% or better overall with no domain below 65%