Course Structure Overview
The Hydro Power Engineering program is structured over 8 semesters, with each semester comprising a mix of core courses, departmental electives, science electives, and laboratory sessions. The curriculum is designed to build technical competence while fostering critical thinking and innovation.
| Semester | Course Code | Course Title | Credits (L-T-P-C) | Pre-requisites |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MAT101 | Engineering Mathematics I | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | PHY101 | Physics for Energy Systems | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | CIV101 | Introduction to Civil Engineering | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 1 | CHM101 | Chemistry for Engineers | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 1 | CSE101 | Introduction to Computer Programming | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 1 | LAT101 | English for Engineers | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 1 | LAB101 | Basic Engineering Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 2 | MAT201 | Engineering Mathematics II | 3-0-0-3 | MAT101 |
| 2 | MAT202 | Probability and Statistics | 3-0-0-3 | MAT101 |
| 2 | MCH201 | Engineering Mechanics | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | CIV201 | Strength of Materials | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | PHY201 | Thermodynamics | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 2 | LAT201 | Technical Communication | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 2 | LAB201 | Mechanics and Materials Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 3 | MAT301 | Advanced Mathematics | 3-0-0-3 | MAT201 |
| 3 | MEC301 | Fluid Mechanics | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | CIV301 | Hydrology and Water Resources | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | MEC302 | Mechanics of Machines | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | ECE301 | Basic Electrical Engineering | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 3 | LAT301 | Professional Ethics | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 3 | LAB301 | Fluid and Machine Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 4 | MAT401 | Numerical Methods | 3-0-0-3 | MAT201 |
| 4 | MEC401 | Hydraulic Machines | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | CIV401 | Geotechnical Engineering | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | ECE401 | Electrical Machines | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | MEC402 | Control Systems | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 4 | LAT401 | Leadership and Teamwork | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 4 | LAB401 | Control Systems Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 5 | ECE501 | Power Electronics | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | CIV501 | Hydroelectric Plant Design | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | MEC501 | Energy Conversion Systems | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | ECE502 | Power System Analysis | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | MAT501 | Optimization Techniques | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 5 | LAB501 | Power Electronics Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 6 | ECE601 | Smart Grid Technologies | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 6 | CIV601 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 6 | MEC601 | Digital Twin and Simulation | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 6 | MAT601 | Advanced Data Analytics | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 6 | LAT601 | Project Management | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 6 | LAB601 | Simulation and Modeling Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 7 | ECE701 | Advanced Control Systems | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 7 | CIV701 | Hydro-Mechanical Systems | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 7 | MEC701 | Renewable Energy Integration | 3-0-0-3 | - |
| 7 | LAT701 | Research Methodology | 2-0-0-2 | - |
| 7 | LAB701 | Capstone Lab | 0-0-3-1 | - |
| 8 | ECE801 | Final Year Thesis | 0-0-0-6 | - |
| 8 | LAB801 | Thesis Lab | 0-0-3-2 | - |
Detailed Course Descriptions
Several advanced departmental electives are offered to deepen specialization. Here are descriptions of some key courses:
Power Electronics and Drives
This course introduces students to power conversion circuits, inverters, rectifiers, and motor drives used in modern hydroelectric systems. It covers both theoretical analysis and practical implementation using simulation tools like MATLAB/Simulink.
Hydro-Mechanical Systems
Focused on mechanical design of turbines, generators, and control valves, this course emphasizes the integration of mechanical components within hydro plants. Students learn to model systems using CAD software and analyze performance under various operating conditions.
Environmental Impact Assessment
This course teaches students how to assess the ecological consequences of hydro projects, including habitat disruption, water quality changes, and biodiversity loss. It includes case studies from global projects.
Smart Grid Technologies
Explores the integration of renewable energy sources into existing grids, focusing on smart inverters, load forecasting, and automated control systems. Students work with real-time data platforms to simulate grid behavior.
Digital Twin and Simulation
This course introduces students to digital twin modeling for hydroelectric plants. Using tools like ANSYS and MATLAB, students learn to create predictive models that simulate plant performance under different conditions.
Energy Economics and Policy
Covers the economic principles behind energy markets, including pricing mechanisms, subsidies, and regulatory frameworks. Students analyze real-world projects to understand cost-benefit dynamics.
Hydroelectric Plant Design
This course provides a comprehensive overview of designing hydroelectric plants from initial site selection to detailed engineering. Topics include dam design, turbine selection, and system optimization.
Advanced Data Analytics
Students learn to apply machine learning techniques to analyze large datasets related to hydroelectric operations, including predictive maintenance and energy forecasting.
Control Systems for Power Plants
This course focuses on designing control systems for hydroelectric plants. Students explore feedback loops, PID controllers, and real-time system monitoring using PLCs and SCADA software.
Hydrological Modeling Using GIS
Using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), students model watershed dynamics, rainfall-runoff relationships, and flood prediction models essential for site selection and risk assessment.
Project-Based Learning Philosophy
The department strongly believes in experiential learning. From the second year onward, students participate in mini-projects where they design, build, and test small-scale systems. These projects are supervised by faculty mentors and often lead to publications or patents.
In the final year, students undertake a capstone project under the guidance of an industry mentor or professor. Projects can range from designing a new turbine blade to optimizing energy storage in a microgrid connected to a hydro plant. The evaluation criteria include technical depth, innovation, presentation quality, and teamwork.
Students are encouraged to choose projects aligned with their interests and career goals, ensuring relevance and engagement. Faculty mentors provide ongoing support throughout the project lifecycle, from conceptualization to final documentation.