Field of studies Aquamatics (studies in English) - University of Silesia in Katowice (Uniwersytet Śląski w Katowicach), UŚ (Katowice) - Katowice - Study Bachelor's and Master's in English in Poland

1. On a placement, you’re handed several years of sensor data on water quality in a river. What do you do first?

Check the data is complete and reliable, look for gaps and faulty readings, and only then search for trends and anomalies. Make a few charts and see what turns up. Put it aside – data analysis isn’t my thing.

2. A toxic algal bloom has closed the swimming area at a nearby lake. What interests you most?

What caused it, and whether it could have been predicted from the monitoring data. When it will reopen. Nothing in particular.

3. How would you rate your coding skills and your experience with data analysis tools?

I’m comfortable writing scripts and enjoy automating calculations. I know the basics and I’m keen to learn more. I steer clear of coding.

4. A city wants to be better prepared for floods and droughts. How could you help?

By combining hydrological, weather and spatial data into a model that can forecast the risks. By building higher flood banks and bigger reservoirs. I’ve no idea.

5. The programme is taught in English to an international group, and you’re working on a joint project about water problems in your home regions. How do you feel about it?

Great – comparing different situations and discussing them in English is really valuable to me. Fine, though writing the report in English will take me longer. I’d rather work alone, in my own language.

6. Which do you prefer – fieldwork, like taking samples and looking after sensors by the water, or working at a computer?

I like doing both: collecting data in the field, then analysing it. I’d rather stick to just one of them. Neither really appeals.

7. A model you’ve built gives results that are way off the measurements. What do you do?

Go through the assumptions, input data and parameters until I find the source of the mismatch. Tweak the parameters by eye until the results look better. Conclude that models just don’t work anyway.

8. How interested are you in the physical and chemical processes in water – currents, waves, the way substances move around?

Very – I want to understand them and describe them mathematically. In general terms, without getting into the equations. Not at all.

9. You need to present water quality findings to local officials who aren’t specialists. How do you go about it?

Prepare a clear map and charts, explain the key findings in plain language and suggest what to do next. Show them all the tables and hope they’ll draw their own conclusions. I’d rather someone else did it.

10. What motivates you most to pursue a Master’s degree in Aquamatics?

The chance to combine knowledge of aquatic environments with data analysis and modelling to protect and manage water resources more effectively. An interest in water, nature and new technology. I’m not sure it’s for me

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