Hydrology and Water Quality

Catalog description

This course studies Earth's hydrologic cycle and systems, with emphasis on the water-balance equation, precipitation measurement and analysis, estimation and prediction of surface runoff, evaporation and evapotranspiration processes, and storage and movement of surface water, soil water, and groundwater. The role of lakes and wetlands in the hydrologic cycle is discussed. The natural hydrogeochemical cycle, as well as the impact of point and non-point sources on surface water and ground water quality are considered. Typical components of the course include a field trip, and a variety of field exercises/projects where students use instruments to measure hydrologic and water-quality parameters. Prerequisites: MATH 146 and CHEM 111, 115, 120, or 121 (F, Sp)