Sustainable management of freshwater resources is an increasingly important and complex challenge in Colorado and worldwide, and we need scientists who can address complex water issues. The watershed science program focuses on how water moves through the landscape, what factors affect its quality, and how to manage water resources. Students in the Ph.D. in Watershed Science program work closely with research scientists in the classroom, laboratory, and field on both basic and applied watershed science research. Students are exposed to cutting-edge field, data analysis, and modeling techniques through flexible programs of study and access to a breadth of water-related courses throughout the university. Students also have opportunities to participate in seminars and field courses.
The Ph.D. in Watershed Science requires 72 credits, most of which are research credits. Coursework includes in-depth classes in the student’s area of research, as well as classes that expand into other disciplines. Each student develops an individualized program of study with the guidance and approval of the student’s graduate committee. Students in the Ph.D. program develop new contributions to the literature of the watershed science discipline.
Effective Fall 2021
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required Foundation Courses | ||
GRAD 544 | Ethical Conduct of Research | 1 |
WR 692 | Seminar | 1 |
Discussion Courses | ||
Select at least 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
Advanced Snow Hydrology | ||
Hillslope Hydrology and Runoff Processes | ||
Quantitative Courses | ||
Select at least 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
Spatial Statistical Modeling-Natural Resources | ||
Quantitative Spatial Analysis | ||
Design and Data Analysis for Researchers I | ||
Design and Data Analysis for Researchers II | ||
Data Issues in Hydrology | ||
Skill Courses | ||
Select at least 3 credits from the following: | 3 | |
Groundwater Modeling | ||
Remote Sensing and Image Analysis | ||
Concepts in GIS | ||
Watershed Measurements | ||
Water Quality Analyses | ||
Modeling Watershed Hydrology | ||
Snow Hydrology Field Methods | ||
Depth and Breadth Courses | ||
Select at least 6 credits from the following: | 6 | |
Applied Advanced Water Resource Economics | ||
Environmental River Mechanics | ||
Physical Hydrology | ||
Water Resources Planning and Management | ||
River Restoration Design | ||
Risk Analysis of Water/Environmental Systems | ||
Quantitative Eco-Hydrology | ||
Integrated Analysis of Coupled Water Issues | ||
Principles of Ecosystem Sustainability | ||
Global Climate Change | ||
Biogeochemical Cycling in Ecosystems | ||
Hydrogeology | ||
Advanced Topics in Hydrogeology | ||
Fluvial Geomorphology | ||
Ecosystem Services--Theory and Practice | ||
Wetland Ecology and Restoration | ||
Water and Social Justice | ||
Sociology of Water Resources | ||
Micrometeorology | ||
Soil-Plant-Nutrient Relationships | ||
Terrestrial Ecosystems Isotope Ecology | ||
Land Use Hydrology | ||
Land Use and Water Quality | ||
Watershed Management in Developing Countries | ||
Water Resource Development | ||
Water Law for Non-Lawyers | ||
Research and Dissertation | ||
WR 798 | Research | 2 |
WR 799 | Dissertation | 2 |
Additional Credits (A maximum of 30 credits may be accepted from a master's degree toward the Ph.D.) | 51 | |
Program Total Credits: | 72 |
A minimum of 72 credits are required to complete this program.