Undergraduate Certificate in Hydrology

Overview

Hydrology is the study of water storage and movement in the Earth system, including the effects of hydrologic fluxes on the distribution of energy, chemicals and sediments.

Students may take the courses at any time during their undergraduate program, completing them by their last semester.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the program, students will be able to:

  • Use a holistic approach to understand the hydrologic spatial connections and interactions between the physical and human environment.
  • Use sound, defensible and rigorous quantitative and qualitative methods to analyze and interpret hydrologic data in a meaningful way.
  • Articulate these findings to various audiences in a respectful and professional manner.

Required Classes for a Hydrology Certificate in Geography

Prerequisites

  • GEOG 3511 (4) - The Water Cycle (previously named "Introduction to Hydrology")
  • GEOG 3023 (4) - Statistics and Geographic Data

Required Courses

Three of the following GEOG courses:
  • GEOG 3601 (3) - Principles of Climate
    • ATOC/ENVS 3600 - Principles of Climate
  • GEOG 4201 (3) - Biometeorology
    • ENVS 4201 - Biometeorology
  • GEOG 4241 (4) - Earth Surface Processes
    • GEOL 4241 - Earth Surface Processes
  • GEOG 4251 (4) - River Systems and Landforms
  • GEOG 4321 (3-4) - Snow Hydrology
  • GEOG 4501 (3) - Water Issues in the American West (previously named "Water Resources and Water Management of Western United States")
Three additional courses from outside the GEOG department:
  • CVEN 3434 (3) - Introduction to Applied Ecology
    • ENVS 3434 - Introduction to Applied Ecology
  • EBIO 4030 (3) - Limnology
  • EBIO 4100 (3) - Advanced Ecology [special topic: "Lake and Stream Ecology"]
  • EBIO 4155 (3) - Ecosystem Ecology
    • ENVS 4155 - Ecosystem Ecology
  • EBIO 4160 (3) - Introduction to Biogeochemistry
    • ENVS/GEOL 4160 - Introduction to Biogeochemistry
  • GEOL 3030 (3) - Introduction to Hydrogeology

Contact Peter Blanken, Katherine Lininger, or Elizabeth Pike if you have questions or wish to discuss specific courses not listed here that may be acceptable substitutes for the classes listed above.

Course Recommendation

There is no course sequencing. Courses can be taken in any order. However, we strongly suggest that Introduction to Hydrology and Statistics be taken before the senior-level courses.

Lower Division Science Courses.ÌýStudents who are trying to position themselves for a career in hydrology or related disciplines are encouraged to take lower division courses in mathematics, physics, and chemistry. However, these courses are not required either as prerequistes for the courses or for the hydrology certificate.