The course examines rivers and their ecosystems, human impacts, and sustainable management. Students apply interdisciplinary approaches, discuss case studies, and take responsibility in groups by preparing a presentation, moderating a session, and writing a report.

The lecture addresses the fundamentals of river engineering to quantitatively describe the flow of water, transport of sediment and wood, and morphological changes such as erosion and deposition processes associated with river structures. In addition, design guidelines for river engineering structures are introduced.

Based on enhanced understanding of river morphodynamics and the ecosystem of riverscapes, the course introduces different river engineering techniques. It copes with the different expectations (space for agriculture, water for energy production, flood protection...) towards riverscapes in modern society.The students work on a project study with the goal of restoring a given river section.