Program Overview

Water Science Certificate Program

The Certificate in Water Science provides students with theoretical and practical training in hydrologic science, emphasizing a quantitative understanding and analysis of the hydrologic cycle. This includes the presence and movement of water in and between primary storage pools: atmospheric moisture, surface runoff, soil moisture, groundwater, and surface storage in ponds, lakes, rivers, and oceans.

Program Overview

• The program is offered by the University of Saskatchewan's College of Arts and Science.
• It can be taken full- or part-time.
• Students cannot enter this program directly from high school.

What You Will Learn

Water is essential for life, and this certificate program reveals how we obtain, use, and sometimes abuse water. To understand water as a resource, students learn where it is found, how it moves, and the fragility of water supplies. The program covers:

• How clouds form and deliver rainfall to the surface.
• How groundwater supplies may be contaminated by surface pollution.
• The wide variety of components of the hydrologic cycle to preserve this life-giving resource.
• The certificate provides advanced knowledge of hydrologic processes, field instrumentation, data collection, and analysis for hydrologic study.

Featured Classes

• GEOG 225: Hydrology of Canada: An in-depth introduction to the fundamental components of the hydrologic cycle, including precipitation, soil water, streamflow, and evapotranspiration.
• GEOG 390: Methods in Hydrometeorology: A project-based field methods course providing hands-on experience with the tools hydrologists use.
• GEOG 427: Advanced Hydrology: Explores advanced analyses and problem-solving in hydrology using theories, models, and instrumentation.

Why Study Here

• The University of Saskatchewan is the top-rated university in Canada in the subject of water resources.
• Hydrology courses are taught by leading hydrologists who incorporate their own research topics into teaching.
• Experiential learning experiences involve developing and using data collection instruments in real-world settings.
• Students are encouraged to join the Environmental Studies Student Association and engage in events focused on Earth's natural and human environments.

Careers

Graduates gain expertise and an additional credential in Water Science, advantageous for careers as:

• Hydrologist / hydrogeologist
• Government scientist
• Private environmental consultant
• Municipal water manager
• Hydro-electric power manager
• Water management planner
• Agricultural manager / farmer
• Civil/environmental engineer

Tuition Estimates

Program Options

• The Certificate in Water Science is offered by the College of Arts and Science.
• It can be earned concurrently with a degree.
• International students are strongly recommended not to enroll in a certificate program alone, as course offerings and program length may not be sufficient to maintain eligibility for a study permit.

Admission Requirements

Admission requirements depend on the student's situation, including their educational background and where they attended high school.

Application Deadlines

Start term and application deadlines are as follows:

• Winter: December 1 (application), December 15 (documents due) for Canadian students; September 1 (application), October 1 (documents due) for international students.
• Spring: April 1 (application), May 1 (documents due) for Canadian students; February 1 (application), March 1 (documents due) for international students.
• Summer: May 1 (application), June 1 (documents due) for Canadian students; March 1 (application), April 1 (documents due) for international students.
• Fall: July 15 (application), August 1 (documents due) for Canadian students; May 1 (application), June 1 (documents due) for international students.

Related Programs

• Environment and Society
• Environmental Science
• Geology
• Geophysics
• Hydrology