Water Resources research involves the use of science and policy tools to identify contaminants and make assessments of water quality. Students will acquire laboratory skills to detect water contaminants and track their movements and transformations, while learning related policy and management concerns. Research areas could include microbial contaminants, the impact of urbanization on water quality, and marine and estuarine water quality and its impact on fisheries and shellfish industries. Option course work covers water sciences and hydrology, environmental policy and management. Students completing this option will be prepared for graduate school or for positions in environmental consulting, research, and natural resource management.
Water Sciences:
Choose four courses:
CSS 305. Principles of Soil Science (4)
or FW 456. Limnology (5)
or GEO 487. Hydrogeology (4)
or MB 302. General Microbiology (3)
or OC 332. Coastal Oceanography (3)
or OC 433. Coastal and Estuarine Oceanography (3)
or TOX 430. Chemical Behavior in the Environment (3)
Watersheds and Hydrology:
Choose one course:
FE 430. Watershed Processes (4)
or CE 412. Hydrology (4)
Water Resources Environmental Analysis:
Choose one course:
BI 371. ^Ecological Methods (3)
or BEE 448. Non-point Source Pollution Assessment and Control (3)
or BOT 547. Nutrient Cycling (3)
or CE 413. GIS in Water Resources (3)
or ENVE 456. Sustainable Water Resources Development (3)
or GEO 424. International Water Resources Management (3)
or TOX 455. Ecotoxicology: Aquatic Ecosystems (3)
Water Resources Environmental Policy and Management:
Choose one course:
FW 326. Integrated Watershed Management (3)
or AREC 432. Environmental Law (4)
or FOR 462. Natural Resource Policy and Law (3)
or PS 475. Environmental Politics and Policy (4)
or CSS/GEO 335. *Introduction to Water Science and Policy (3)
or GEO 425. Water Resources Management in the US (3)
or MRM 515. Coastal Resources Management (4)
or RNG 455. Riparian Ecology and Management (3)
Plus:
1 to 7 additional credits of upper division courses approved by research mentor, for a total of 29 credits.
These courses are chosen to complement and support the research project and prepare the student for future careers or graduate school.
Recommended areas: climatology, geology, resource economics, watersheds, watersheds management, microbial ecology, engineering, mathematics, hydrology, hydrogeology, irrigation, toxicology, ecology, environmental analysis, environmental chemistry, geochemistry, environmental management, environmental policy, economics, marine biology, aquatic and marine botany and zoology, oceanography, statistics, geography, environmental ethics, research ethics.
2004 Oregon State University