Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences: Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources Emphasis

Program Overview

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Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences: Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources Emphasis

Overview

Hydrologists study the interplay between water, nature, and humans to learn how this invaluable resource is affected by the environment and its inhabitants. It deals with the origin, distribution, and properties of water on and beneath Earth's, as well as other planet's, surfaces. Hydrologists work to solve water-related problems. They consider water use from a variety of perspectives- social, economic, legal, scientific, and environmental- to determine how differing viewpoints affect the quality and quantity of a community's water supply. They study pollution carried by water- including oceans, rivers, streams, rain, snow, and ice- and devise methods to clean and control it. Some study weather & climate-related problems such as flood forecasting, drought management, acid rain, and global warming, while others manage water resources so that the goals of all water users are achieved efficiently while still protecting the environment.

Program Details

Sample Courses

• HWRS 413A: Field Hydrology Methods
• HWRS 443A: Risk Assessment for Environmental Systems
• HWRS 417A: Fundamentals of Water Quality

Career Fields

• Hydrology
• Environmental consulting
• Government
• Agriculture
• Forestry
• Ecology
• Civic planning

Level of Math

• Substantial Knowledge This strand involves skill and facility with calculus. The S-strand begins at one of two calculus options - MATH 122A/B (Functions for Calculus and First-Semester Calculus) or MATH 125 (Calculus I). Students who successfully complete the S-strand may continue on to MATH 129 (Calculus II), MATH 223 (Vector Calculus), or beyond. Those who choose but are not ready to begin the S-strand will be required to take preparatory work.

Level of Second Language

• 2nd Semester Proficiency Second-semester skill level in a second language is required. Non-B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options: 1. Scoring the equivalent of second-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona. 2. Completion with a C or better of a second semester course at the post-secondary level. 3. An AP (Advanced Placement), IB (International Baccalaureate) or CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) language score determined by the individual language department. 4. In the College of Engineering by a method determined within the College; however, all students in the college must also take a language placement examination on entrance to the University.

Pre-major Required?

• No

This Major's College

• College of Science

Degree

• Bachelor of Science

Sample Plans

2025, Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences: Environmental Hydrology and Water Resources Emphasis

• 4-Year Sample Plan
• Map Transfer Coursework

First Year

• 1st Semester
  • Second Semester Language Course (4 credits)
  • GE Substantial Math Strand (First-Semester Calculus or Calculus I) (5 credits)
  • Introductory Chemistry I (Lecture + Lab) (4 credits)
  • ENGL 101- First-Year Composition (3 credits)
• 2nd Semester
  • MATH 129- Calculus II (3 credits)
  • Introductory Chemistry II (Lecture + Lab) (4 credits)
  • GEOS 251- Physical Geology (4 credits)
  • ENGL 102- First-Year Composition II (3 credits)
  • Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course) (1 credit)
  • HWRS 195a- Careers in Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences (1 credit)

Second Year

• 3rd Semester
  • MATH 223- Vector Calculus (4 credits)
  • HWRS 350- Principles of Hydrology (3 credits)
  • PHYS 141- Introductory Mechanics (4 credits)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• 4th Semester
  • CE 218- Mechanics of Fluids (3 credits)
  • MATH 254- Intro to Ordinary Differential Equations (3 credits)
  • PHYS 143- Introductory Optics and Thermodynamics (2 credits)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
  • GEOS 304- Structural Geology (4 credits)

Third Year

• 5th Semester
  • HWRS 431- Hydrogeology (4 credits)
  • SIE 305- Intro to Engineering Probability and Statistics (3 credits)
  • Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Elective (3 credits)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
  • Computational Elective Theme (ie. Tools for Data Handling and Analysis in Water, Weather, & Climate) (3 credits)
• 6th Semester
  • Tech Elective (3 credits)
  • ATMO 436A- Fundamentals of the Atmospheric Sciences (3 credits)
  • Tech Writing & Communication Theme (3 credits)
  • CE 423- Hydrology (3 credits)
  • HWRS 413A- Field Hydrology Methods (2 credits)
• 6th Semester Summer
  • HWRS 413B- Field Hydrology Synthesis (1 credit)

Fourth Year

• 7th Semester
  • HWRS 449- Statistical Hydrology (3 credits)
  • Water Quality Elective Theme Course (3 credits)
  • Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Elective (3 credits)
  • Subsurface Hydrology Course (3 credits)
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
• 8th Semester
  • GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections (3 credits)
  • HWRS 443A- Risk Assessment for Environmental Systems (3 credits)
  • Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences Elective (3 credits)
  • Water Policy, Law, or Econ Elective Theme (3 credits)
  • General Education Portfolio (Exit Course) (1 credit)

Program Outline

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Other:

• Hydrologists study the interplay between water, nature, and humans to learn how this invaluable resource is affected by the environment and its inhabitants.
• It deals with the origin, distribution, and properties of water on and beneath Earth's, as well as other planet's, surfaces.
• Hydrologists work to solve water- related problems.
• They consider water use from a variety of perspectives- social, economic, legal, scientific, and environmental- to determine how differing viewpoints affect the quality and quantity of a community's water supply.
• They study pollution carried by water- including oceans, rivers, streams, rain, snow, and ice- and devise methods to clean and control it.
• Some study weather & climate-related problems such as flood forecasting, drought management, acid rain, and global warming, while others manage water resources so that the goals of all water users are achieved efficiently while still protecting the environment.