The Watershed Science minor addresses land use hydrology and sustainable watersheds through a set of core courses and engages students in experiential learning in a watershed field course. The program offers a broad and flexible selection of additional coursework options that emphasize physical, biogeochemical, and societal aspects of water resources and watershed management. Students can select the combination of courses that best fits their interests and complements their major.

Learning Objectives

Upon successful completion, students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate understanding of the key concepts in watershed science, including surface and subsurface hydrology and water quality.
  2. Demonstrate understanding of land use effects on fresh water resources.
  3. Develop skills in collection and analysis in two or more areas, such as terrain meteorological, hydrological, and/or water quality analyses.

Undergraduate Advising

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Effective Fall 2024

Students must satisfactorily complete the total credits required for the minor. Minors and interdisciplinary minors require 12 or more upper-division (300- to 400-level) credits.

Lower Division
STAT 158Introduction to R Programming1
WR 204/GR 204Sustainable Watersheds (GT-SC2)3
Choose one course from the following:3-4
Physical Geography
Introduction to Geology-Parks and Monuments (GT-SC2)
Geology and Society (GT-SC2)
Geoscience--Climate and Environmental Change (GT-SC2)
Geology of Natural Resources (GT-SC2)
Physical Geology for Scientists and Engineers
Upper Division
WR 416Land Use Hydrology3
WR 486Watershed Field Practicum2
Select at least 9 credits from the following:9
Water Law, Policy, and Institutions
Introduction to Weather and Climate
Introduction to Weather and Climate Lab
Stream Biology and Ecology
Stream Biology and Ecology Laboratory
Quantitative Analysis Laboratory
Basic Hydrology
Groundwater Engineering
Nonpoint Source Pollution
Limnology
Hydrogeology
Geomorphology
Climate Change: Science, Policy, Implications
Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being
Natural Resources History and Policy
Soil Physics
Soil Physics Laboratory
Water and Social Justice
Seasonal Snow Environments
Watershed Measurements
Land Use and Water Quality
Snow Hydrology
Program Total Credits:21-22