study programme

Water Management and Water Structures

Faculty: FCEAbbreviation: DKA-VAcad. year: 2022/2023

Type of study programme: Doctoral

Study programme code: P0732D260021

Degree awarded: Ph.D.

Language of instruction: English

Accreditation: 8.10.2019 - 8.10.2029

Mode of study

Combined study

Standard study length

4 years

Programme supervisor

Doctoral Board

Fields of education

Area Topic Share [%]
Civil Engineering Water Structures 100

Study aims

The aim of the doctoral study program Water Management and Water Structures is to provide outstanding graduates of the master's degree with specialized university education in selected and topical areas of the field. These currently include, with a view to maintaining sustainable living conditions, the solution of issues related primarily to the design, optimization, efficiency and quality of operation of existing and new water management systems, such as water management systems, water management structures on watercourses, drinking water supply systems. , waste water removal and treatment, protection of water resources and water quality in the basin, protection against floods etc.
The doctoral study program Water Management and Water Structures is a multidisciplinary program in which students acquire new knowledge in both natural sciences and applied sciences and is also targeted to acquire the necessary habits of students for independent scientific research and creative activities in research and development in solving current theoretical problems and questions arising from the requirements of practice. During the study the student gains both new theoretical knowledge and new own experience from preparation, realization and evaluation of necessary experiments (physical, numerical).
The dissertation thesis is focused on the evaluation of the current state of development of the solved problems in the Czech Republic and abroad, on the definition of the subject and methodology of the topic under development and especially on its own creative contribution. The aim of the study is also to involve students in the preparation and solution of national and international scientific research projects, presentation of achieved results at national and international scientific and professional conferences and their publication in professional and scientific foreign and domestic journals.

Graduate profile

Graduates of the doctoral degree program in Water Management and Water Structures will be able to complete scientific and creative activities independently and in teams at national and international level. and habits well applied in solving theoretical and practical tasks.
Graduates of this study program can be employed especially in research and development workplaces, in design organizations, in state administration bodies and they can also apply their acquired experience during teaching practice during their doctoral study programs in education or other educational institutions.
Completion of the doctoral study program is also a necessary precondition for its possible further career and professional academic growth. His knowledge of foreign languages ​​will enable him to study abroad as well.

Profession characteristics

The graduate of the newly designed doctoral study program Water Management and Water Structures is able to hold positions requiring a separate solution of technical technical problems in the field of water management. Graduates of doctoral studies are prepared for employment in research and development activities, enabling creative solutions to problems and development of new methods and approaches applicable to the solution of current water management problems and their application in the construction of water management structures. Doctoral studies are closely linked to scientific, research and development activities at the training site and to technical practice. Ongoing active scientific and pedagogical activity is a prerequisite for eventual employment of graduates as academic staff of universities. Graduates can also work in basic and applied research, at university workplaces, in institutes of the ASCR, in research and technology centers in the Czech Republic and abroad. They also find work in research workplaces and laboratories of water management and water structures and the environment, or they can hold higher management positions in design, implementation and administration companies, public administration or other similar technical level. The general applicability in practice is practically 100%. It is expected that the applicability of graduates of the newly designed doctoral study program will be similar.

Fulfilment criteria

Fulfillment of the subjects of the individual study plan, successful completion of the state doctoral examination, foreign experience, relevant creative activity and successful defense of the dissertation.

Study plan creation

The rules and conditions for the creation of study plans of study programs carried out at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the BUT define:
Rules of BUT study programs (www.vutbr.cz/uredni-deska/vnitrni-predpisy-a-dokumenty), which according to Article 1, paragraph 1, point:
c) defines the processes of creation, approval and changes of study program proposals before their submission for accreditation to the National Accreditation Office for Higher Education,
d) lays down the formal requirements for study programs and courses,
e) defines the obligations of study program and subject guarantors,
f) defines the standards of study programs at BUT,
g) defines the principles of quality assurance of study programs.
Study and Examination Regulations of the Brno University of Technology (www.vutbr.cz/uredni-deska/international-details-and-documents)
Details of the conditions for study at the Faculty of Civil Engineering of the BUT are governed by the Dean's Directive )
The PhD student studies according to an individual study plan, which is elaborated by the supervisor in cooperation with the PhD student. The individual study plan is binding for the doctoral student. It specifies all duties set in accordance with the BUT Study and Examination Regulations that a doctoral student must fulfill in order to successfully complete his / her studies.
During the first three semesters, the doctoral student consists of compulsory, compulsorily elective or at the same time, it is intensively engaged in its own study and analysis of knowledge in the field determined by the topic of the dissertation and continuous publication of the knowledge and results obtained in this way. In the following semesters, the doctoral student focuses more on research and development related to the topic of the dissertation, on the publication of the results of his / her creative work and on his / her own dissertation. By the end of the fifth semester, the doctoral student has passed the state doctoral examination. The doctoral student is also involved in pedagogical activities, which is a part of his scientific preparation.
The individual study plan includes scientific outputs in individual years:
- regular publishing activity (Juniorstav and similar),
- participation in scientific conferences at home and abroad,
- for defense of DZP it is necessary to publish - min. 2x Scopus or 1x WOS with impact factor.

Availability for the disabled

At the Faculty of Civil Engineering, BUT, barrier-free access to all teaching rooms is currently provided. However, students must be physically fit to be qualified as a civil engineer. In practically oriented laboratory teaching, they must be able to operate measuring instruments and similar laboratory equipment independently without endangering themselves or their surroundings.
BUT provides support to students with specific needs, for details see Guideline 11/2017 (www.vutbr.cz/uredni-deska/international-documents-and-documents/-d141841/uplne-zneni-smernice-c-11- 2017-p147550).
In order to promote equal access to higher education, BUT incorporates the Alfons Advisory Center, part of the BUT Institute of Lifelong Learning, to provide guidance and support services to applicants and students with specific educational needs. Specific educational needs include learning disabilities, physical and sensory disabilities, chronic somatic illness, autistic spectrum disorders, impaired communication skills and mental illness (alfons.vutbr.cz/o-nas).
Students are provided with information concerning the accessibility of study programs with respect to the specific needs of the applicant, information about the architectural accessibility of individual faculties and university parts, about accommodation at the BUT dormitory, about the possibilities of adapting the admission procedure and adapting the study itself. Other services of the Center for Students with Special Educational Needs also include interpreting and rewriting services, or assistance services - guiding, spatial orientation, in order to enable these students to demonstrate their skills and knowledge in the same way as other students. This is done through the so-called adaptation of study, ie by appropriate adjustment of the study regime, which cannot be understood as a simplification of the content of study or relief of study obligations.

What degree programme types may have preceded

The doctoral study program Water Management and Water Structures is a follow-up to the follow-up Master study program Civil Engineering, especially the study field Water Management and Water Structures, respectively. as well as other fields of study and nursing master's degree programs. After accreditation of the follow-up master's study program Civil Engineering - Water Management and Water Structures for this program.

Issued topics of Doctoral Study Program

  1. Calibration and verification of the precipitation-runoff model of the sewer network

    The aim of the dissertation will be to solve the problem of calibration and verification of the precipitation-runoff model of the sewer network and to apply the acquired knowledge to the existing hydraulic models SWMM, or MIKE URBAN. The PhD student will perform the sensitivity effects of inaccurate input data (rain data, hydraulic data from in-situ measurements) on selected hydraulic parameters of the sewer network.

    Tutor: Raclavský Jaroslav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  2. Dam risk analysis

    The aim is to propose, elaborate and verify the method for the assessment of risks coming from the existence and operation of dams. Appropriate risk-based method and corresponding tools will be chosen, e.g. event trees for individual types of hydraulic structures, probabilistic assessment for the initiating events using the statistical methods, the assessment of the vulnerability of system components. New trends in design standards and existing dam categorization will be taken into account.

    Tutor: Říha Jaromír, prof. Ing., CSc.

  3. Definition of New Reservoir Yield Performances

    To assess the reservoir yield performance the definition of reliability is used in the Czech Republic. Worldwide the new concepts of assessing the reservoir yield performance, such as risk, resiliance, vulnerability, have been defined over the past decade. The aim of this thesis will be to carry out an extensive state of art and application of these knowledge on a selected water reservoir. On the basis of obtained information also derive a new kind reservoir yield performance metric.

    Tutor: Marton Daniel, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  4. Designing of dams in a karst area

    The goal is to summarize knowledge about the design of hydraulic structures in karst areas. The subject of the work will be a summary of knowledge about the design of these works, their critical evaluation and an inventory of critical problems related to the mentioned issues. Part of the work will be the design and analysis of possible measures ensuring the safety and reliability of hydraulic works in karst areas, also with regard to the related surroundings. The practical application will focus on the Hranický Karst.

    Tutor: Říha Jaromír, prof. Ing., CSc.

  5. Detection, processes of spreading and removal of dangerous substances in water supply networks in emergency situations

    The aim of the PhD thesis will be, on the basis of delimitation and definition of water security of the Czech Republic, to define methods of on-line analysis of drinking water quality, to model and analyze the speed of contamination spreading in water supply networks, to define for individual pipeline materials and pipeline contaminants the risk of long-term contamination and to determine principles of security and protection of drinking water supplies.

    Tutor: Raclavský Jaroslav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  6. Dimensioning of vacuum systems of sewer networks

    Over the last 30 years, the vacuum sewer system has gradually developed. In many cases, the system was inappropriately designed and undersized. The topic of the dissertation will focus on the issue of dimensioning the vacuum station, the vacuum network and selected objects on the network. Part of the work will be in situ measurements on selected vacuum sewer networks.

    Tutor: Raclavský Jaroslav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  7. Microplastics as a specific pollution of drinking water

    The presence of micro-plastics in natural and drinking water raises the discussion on the potential consequences to human health. The dissertation will deal with a critical search of studies carried out so far on this topic, focusing mainly on the occurrence and character of microplastics in raw and drinking water, as well as on methods for determining microplastics in water. The possible effects of these processes acting in water on the biological regime and chemical composition of water will be discussed, as well as the possible effects on human health. Laboratory tests will be performed in order to remove a selected group of microplastics from drinking water in order to recommend the most suitable technological procedure leading to their separation.

    Tutor: Kučera Tomáš, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  8. Performance indicators for water filtration systems

    The subject of the work will deal with the performance of water filtration as a key process of water treatment. They will look for the relationship between flow, nature of contamination, length of filtration cycle and filtration in relation to the filter material used and the sieving system. The pressure losses on the filter will be monitored in relation to the quality of the filtrate, as well as the distribution of impurities in the filter. Most of the research will be performed on a model (laboratory) filtration device. The aim is to define performance indicators suitable for monitoring and evaluating the filtration process and to recommend favorable values of these indicators on the basis of proven research.

    Tutor: Kučera Tomáš, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  9. Possibility of internal erosion initiation in hydraulic structures and its assessment

    The aim is to analyse the possibility of dam failure due to internal erosion and to analyse individual internal erosion phases. Failure modes and places of their origin will be assessed together with the criteria used for the specification of internal erosion phases (initiation, continuation, progression, failure). During the solution uncertainties in input parameters will be assessed and the failure probability will be estimated. The student will be co-operating with the international working group searching appropriate software.

    Tutor: Říha Jaromír, prof. Ing., CSc.

  10. Reliability, durability and vulnerability of water treatment plants

    The water treatment plant must be able to supply drinking water in the various situations and stages of operation of the plant, while it is entirely appropriate to monitor the key features: reliability, resilience and vulnerability. In the literature, the performance of water supply systems is monitored through these quantities, but usually separately and mostly reliability. The aim of the work is to transpose the definitions on the situation of water treatment plants, to conduct surveys in order to quantify these quantities in selected treatment plants, and also to deal with mutual correlation and correlation with technical treatment.

    Tutor: Kučera Tomáš, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  11. Tertiary wastewater treatment technology for further use of treated water.

    The dissertation will assess tertiary wastewater treatment technologies involving different cleaning stages: ultrafiltration membrane unit (1), adsorbent column in combination with UV technology (2) for disinfection and technology of advanced oxidation technologies AOP (3). The parameters of treated wastewater for re-use will be determined as part of their further use, not only for flushing toilets or technological purposes, but also from the point of view of use for drip irrigation and irrigation by spraying agricultural land, green infrastructure of cities, including green roofs and facades. The result of the dissertation is also the implementation of selected technologies into the concept of selected municipal waste water works and building systems in the form of case studies, and the monitored parameters for use will be compared with the current Czech legislative requirements and the upcoming European Regulations. The work will be processed in the AdMaS center. Possibility of internship at BOKU University, Vienna and NTNU Trondheim.

    Tutor: Hlavínek Petr, prof. Ing., CSc., MBA

  12. Treatment of municipal wastewater by anaerobic MBR technology.

    Goal of the thesis is development of technology of municipal wastewater by anaerobic process with aggregated biomass and sludge separation by means of submerged membrane module. Work will be focused on solution of problems connected with membrane clogging by operation, cleaning and process control. The work will be processed on a pilot unit in the AdMaS center. Possibility of internship at BOKU University, Vienna and NTNU Trondheim.

    Tutor: Hlavínek Petr, prof. Ing., CSc., MBA

1. round (applications submitted from 08.06.2022 to 31.07.2022)

  1. Calibration and verification of the precipitation-runoff model of the sewer network

    The aim of the dissertation will be to solve the problem of calibration and verification of the precipitation-runoff model of the sewer network and to apply the acquired knowledge to the existing hydraulic models SWMM, or MIKE URBAN. The PhD student will perform the sensitivity effects of inaccurate input data (rain data, hydraulic data from in-situ measurements) on selected hydraulic parameters of the sewer network.

    Tutor: Raclavský Jaroslav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  2. Definition of New Reservoir Yield Performances

    To assess the reservoir yield performance the definition of reliability is used in the Czech Republic. Worldwide the new concepts of assessing the reservoir yield performance, such as risk, resiliance, vulnerability, have been defined over the past decade. The aim of this thesis will be to carry out an extensive state of art and application of these knowledge on a selected water reservoir. On the basis of obtained information also derive a new kind reservoir yield performance metric.

    Tutor: Marton Daniel, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  3. Detection, processes of spreading and removal of dangerous substances in water supply networks in emergency situations

    The aim of the PhD thesis will be, on the basis of delimitation and definition of water security of the Czech Republic, to define methods of on-line analysis of drinking water quality, to model and analyze the speed of contamination spreading in water supply networks, to define for individual pipeline materials and pipeline contaminants the risk of long-term contamination and to determine principles of security and protection of drinking water supplies.

    Tutor: Raclavský Jaroslav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  4. Dimensioning of vacuum systems of sewer networks

    Over the last 30 years, the vacuum sewer system has gradually developed. In many cases, the system was inappropriately designed and undersized. The topic of the dissertation will focus on the issue of dimensioning the vacuum station, the vacuum network and selected objects on the network. Part of the work will be in situ measurements on selected vacuum sewer networks.

    Tutor: Raclavský Jaroslav, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  5. Microplastics as a specific pollution of drinking water

    The presence of micro-plastics in natural and drinking water raises the discussion on the potential consequences to human health. The dissertation will deal with a critical search of studies carried out so far on this topic, focusing mainly on the occurrence and character of microplastics in raw and drinking water, as well as on methods for determining microplastics in water. The possible effects of these processes acting in water on the biological regime and chemical composition of water will be discussed, as well as the possible effects on human health. Laboratory tests will be performed in order to remove a selected group of microplastics from drinking water in order to recommend the most suitable technological procedure leading to their separation.

    Tutor: Kučera Tomáš, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  6. Performance indicators for water filtration systems

    The subject of the work will deal with the performance of water filtration as a key process of water treatment. They will look for the relationship between flow, nature of contamination, length of filtration cycle and filtration in relation to the filter material used and the sieving system. The pressure losses on the filter will be monitored in relation to the quality of the filtrate, as well as the distribution of impurities in the filter. Most of the research will be performed on a model (laboratory) filtration device. The aim is to define performance indicators suitable for monitoring and evaluating the filtration process and to recommend favorable values of these indicators on the basis of proven research.

    Tutor: Kučera Tomáš, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  7. Reliability, durability and vulnerability of water treatment plants

    The water treatment plant must be able to supply drinking water in the various situations and stages of operation of the plant, while it is entirely appropriate to monitor the key features: reliability, resilience and vulnerability. In the literature, the performance of water supply systems is monitored through these quantities, but usually separately and mostly reliability. The aim of the work is to transpose the definitions on the situation of water treatment plants, to conduct surveys in order to quantify these quantities in selected treatment plants, and also to deal with mutual correlation and correlation with technical treatment.

    Tutor: Kučera Tomáš, doc. Ing., Ph.D.

  8. Tertiary wastewater treatment technology for further use of treated water.

    The dissertation will assess tertiary wastewater treatment technologies involving different cleaning stages: ultrafiltration membrane unit (1), adsorbent column in combination with UV technology (2) for disinfection and technology of advanced oxidation technologies AOP (3). The parameters of treated wastewater for re-use will be determined as part of their further use, not only for flushing toilets or technological purposes, but also from the point of view of use for drip irrigation and irrigation by spraying agricultural land, green infrastructure of cities, including green roofs and facades. The result of the dissertation is also the implementation of selected technologies into the concept of selected municipal waste water works and building systems in the form of case studies, and the monitored parameters for use will be compared with the current Czech legislative requirements and the upcoming European Regulations.

    Tutor: Hlavínek Petr, prof. Ing., CSc., MBA

  9. Treatment of municipal wastewater by anaerobic MBR technology.

    Goal of the thesis is development of technology of municipal wastewater by anaerobic process with aggregated biomass and sludge separation by means of submerged membrane module. Work will be focused on solution of problems connected with membrane clogging by operation, cleaning and process control.

    Tutor: Hlavínek Petr, prof. Ing., CSc., MBA

  10. Use of nature-friendly technologies for post-ozonation treatment of wastewater"

    The work will be processed within the project "VALIDATION TESTING OF ADVANCED OXIDATION PROCESSES IN ORDER TO REMOVE PHARMACEUTICALS FROM WASTEWATER (ACRONYM: TRACE & TREAT)" funded by the Norwegian Financial Mechanisms through the State Environmental Fund. The aim of the thesis will be "Use of nature-friendly technologies of treatment for post-zone treatment of wastewater". Testing will take place at the Blansko WWTP.

    Tutor: Hlavínek Petr, prof. Ing., CSc., MBA

Course structure diagram with ECTS credits

1. year of study, summer semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DPA025Doctoral seminar 1 (VHS)cs4CompulsoryCrS - 39yes
DYA004English Language Tutorial for PhD Studentscs1CompulsoryCrC1 - 26yes
DPB026Operation research in water managementcs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396119yes
DBB012Applied physicscs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396119yes
DPB027Wastewater Treatmentcs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396119yes
DSB023Hydropedologycs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396119yes
DPB028Water Qualitycs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396119yes
DRB024Precise authorized, calibration and laboratory measurements of hydraulic param.cs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396119yes
DRB025Mathematical modelling in water managementcs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396119yes
DSB024Meteorology and Climatologycs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396119yes
DAB029Discrete Methods in Civil Engineering 1cs4Compulsory-optionalCrP - 396120yes
DAB030Numerical methods 1cs4Compulsory-optionalCrP - 396120yes
DAB031Probability and mathematical statisticscs4Compulsory-optionalCrP - 396120yes
DSB022Hydrologycs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396121yes
DRB023Hydromechanicscs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396121yes
DCB009Hydrochemistrycs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396121yes
2. year of study, winter semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DPA029Doctoral seminar 2 (VHS)cs8CompulsoryCrS - 78yes
DAB032Time series analysiscs10Compulsory-optionalExP - 396124yes
DAB033Applications of mathematical methods in economicscs10Compulsory-optionalExP - 396124yes
DAB034Discrete Methods in Civil Engineering 2cs10Compulsory-optionalExP - 396124yes
DAB035Numerical methods 2cs10Compulsory-optionalExP - 396124yes
DAB036Numerical methods for the variational problemscs10Compulsory-optionalExP - 396124yes
DAB037Models of regressioncs10Compulsory-optionalExP - 396124yes
DRB026Physical modelling in water managementcs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396125yes
DRB027Contemporary Weir Structurescs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396125yes
DSB025Landscape engineering and hydrotechnical meliorationcs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396125yes
DPB030Sewerage Systems – town drainagecs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396125yes
DSB026Artificial inteligence methods in water managementcs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396125yes
DSB027Control outflow from river basincs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396125yes
DRB028Stability and revitalization open channelscs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396125yes
DPB031Water Supplycs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396125yes
DSB028Use of Geographic information systems in Water managementcs8Compulsory-optionalExP - 396125yes
2. year of study, summer semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DYA005English for PhD studentscs8CompulsoryExyes
DPA032Doctoral seminar 3 (VHS)cs8CompulsoryCrS - 78yes
3. year of study, winter semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DPA033Doctoral seminar 4 (VHS)cs8CompulsoryCrS - 78yes
3. year of study, summer semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DPA034Doctoral seminar 5 (VHS)cs14CompulsoryCrS - 78yes
4. year of study, winter semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DPA035Doctoral seminar 6 (VHS)cs14CompulsoryCrS - 78yes
4. year of study, summer semester
AbbreviationTitleL.Cr.Com.Compl.Hr. rangeGr.Op.
DPA036Doctoral seminar 7 (VHS)cs20CompulsoryCrS - 78yes
All the groups of optional courses
Gr. Number of courses Courses
6120 1 DAB029, DAB030, DAB031
6121 1 DSB022, DRB023, DCB009
6119 1 DPB026, DBB012, DPB027, DSB023, DPB028, DRB024, DRB025, DSB024
6124 1 DAB032, DAB033, DAB034, DAB035, DAB036, DAB037
6125 1 DRB026, DRB027, DSB025, DPB030, DSB026, DSB027, DRB028, DPB031, DSB028