Water Resources, Certificate

(Code 160-601) 

Advisor: S. Clark (Geology and Environmental Science).

The Department of Geology and Environmental Science administers a Water Resources certificate. This certificate is intended for students who plan to enroll in a Master’s degree program in Water Resource Management, students interested in careers in environmental policy or environmental law, and any STEM and Geography majors interested in broadening their understanding of water-related topics.  Holistic water resources management integrates insights from a wide range of disciplines. The flexibility of this certificate allows individuals to tailor their course selection to focus on the aspects of water resources that are most relevant to each student’s specific interests.

Minimum of 15 credits required:15
Core (9-10 crs):
ENV/GEOG 377U.S. Environmental and Sustainability Policy3
GEOL 308Water Resources3
One course selected from:3-4
CHEM 304
Environmental Chemistry
BIOL 376
Aquatic Ecology
GEOG 363
Watershed Analysis
GEOG 364
Fluvial Processes and Landforms
GEOL 315
Hydrogeology I
Beyond the core 9-10 credits, students must take two courses from the following broad array of water-related courses. Courses, if not used above, may be selected from:6-8
BIOL 338
Vegetation Ecology
BIOL 376
Aquatic Ecology *
CHEM 304
Environmental Chemistry *
ECON 268
Environmental Economics
ENPH 441
Water and Wastewater
GEOG 335
Geographic Information Systems I
GEOG 340
Climatology
GEOG 363
Watershed Analysis *
GEOG 364
Fluvial Processes and Landforms *
GEOL 304
Global Environmental Change
GEOL 315
Hydrogeology I *
PHIL 320
Environmental Ethics
*Course may be counted in either the core or elective category, but not both.

 Note 1: Students cannot pursue the Geology major and the Water Resources certificate to meet graduation requirements for completing a first and second degree program.

Note 2: Students pursuing the Biology major or Geography major and the Water Resources certificate to meet graduation requirements for completing a first and second degree program must earn a minimum of 48 unique credits between their major and this certificate program.

Program Learning Outcomes

Students completing this program will be expected to meet the following learning outcomes:

  • Explain Earth processes.
  • Use mathematics and computational methods to analyze scientific and geological data.
  • Read, write, and critically evaluate geological papers.
  • Construct an internally consistent geological map utilizing field data, topographic maps, geological maps, air photos, geographic information systems (GIS) data, and geological cross sections.
  • Use analytical and quantitative methods to evaluate an environmental problem.