Program Overview

Water Resources Certificate

Program Type

• Certificate

Format

• On Campus

Estimated Time to Complete

• 2-3 semesters

Credit Hours

• 15

Program Description

The Water Resources Certificate focuses on the study of water above, upon, and beneath the earth's surface.

Why Earn a Water Resources Certificate?

The certificate provides a foundation in the study of water resources, including the basics of hydrology and area courses from which students may select options in biology, emergency management, geography, and/or philosophy.

Water Resources Certificate Highlights

• Highly successful faculty with cutting-edge research
• Engaging undergrad and graduate programs
• Active student organizations related to programs
• High investment in students by faculty
• Students employed in a diverse array of internships and careers

Water Resources Certificate Courses

• Surface Water Hydrology (3 hrs)
  • Study of hydrological processes with emphasis on the hydrological cycle; soil moisture and infiltration; watersheds and drainage systems; flow mechanics, sediment transportation and deposition; and river response to climatic change and other impacts of human activity.
• Introduction to Groundwater Hydrology (3 hrs)
  • Topics to include principles of groundwater flow; aquifer properties and characteristics; geology of groundwater occurrence; groundwater development and methods for assessing and remediating groundwater contamination. Emphasis on application of basic principles.
• Fundamentals of Aquatic Toxicology (3 hrs)
  • Theory and methodologies used by scientists, regulatory agencies, and industry to measure the impact of man’s activities on freshwater aquatic ecosystems. The course has its foundations in history, but concentrates on current methodologies and theories.
• Philosophy of Water (3 hrs)
  • Examination of water issues at the interface of science, policy, philosophy, art, and culture. Philosophical approaches include ethics, aesthetics, and ontology of water; epistemological analysis of water conflicts; local and global governance theories.
• Weather and Climate (3 hrs)
  • Explores atmospheric environment emphasizing the understanding and application of meteorological principles. Topics may include the composition, origin, and structure of the atmosphere, air mass, middle latitude cyclones, weather prediction, thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes, global climate, climate change, and air pollution.

Related Programs

• Geography Minor
• Geology Minor

Similar Areas of Study

• Public Service
• STEM

College and Department

• College of Liberal Arts & Social Sciences
• Department of Geography and the Environment

Location

• Environmental Education, Science & Technology Building, Room 210
• 1155 Union Circle, Denton, Texas