Major in Watershed Science 1 MAJOR IN WATERSHED SCIENCE Why Watershed Science at CSU? 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 begin their program by building a strong foundation in the physical and natural sciences in preparation for upper-division coursework in land-use hydrology, snow hydrology, water quality, and watershed problem analysis. Students gain hands-on experience with water measurements outside and in the lab, and build technical and writing skills to prepare them for careers in hydrology and water resources. Learning Outcomes Students will demonstrate: An understanding of the key concepts in watershed science including surface and subsurface hydrology and water quality. An understanding of land use effects on fresh water resources. Field and lab-based watershed measurement and data analysis skills. Skills in watershed problem analysis, including the use of GIS and watershed models. Strong critical thinking, writing, and oral communication skills. Potential Occupations The B.S. in Watershed Science qualifies students for a wide variety of careers in hydrology and water resources management. Examples include: watershed scientist, hydrologist, water quality analyst, watershed manager, environmental consultant, watershed use specialist, and water conservation specialist. Employment opportunities for graduates are found in consulting firms, governmental agencies, international development and resource management agencies, non-governmental organizations, and private industry. Graduates are also well positioned for advanced science degrees. The B.S. curriculum includes all of the requirements for graduates to meet the U.S. governmental hydrologist certification. Requirements Effective Fall 2018 Freshman CO 150 College Composition (GT-CO2) 1A ESS 120 Intro to Ecosystem and Watershed Sciences 1 ESS 129 Information Management for Sustainability 1 ESS 10 Intro to Systems Theory for Sustainability 1 BZ 110 & BZ 111 Principles of Animal Biology (GT-SC2) A BZ 120 Principles of Plant Biology (GT-SC1) A LIFE 10 1 Biology of Organisms-Animals and Plants Select one group from the following: 5 Group A: CHEM 107 Fundamentals of Chemistry (GT-SC2) A CHEM 108 Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory (GT-SC1) A Group B: CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) A CHEM 112 General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1) A -4 GEOL 110 Introduction to Geology-Parks and Monuments (GT-SC2) A GEOL 120 Exploring Earth - Physical Geology (GT-SC2) A GEOL 122 The Blue Planet - Geology of Our Environment (GT-SC2) A GEOL 124 Geology of Natural Resources (GT-SC2) A GEOL 150 Physical Geology for Scientists and Engineers A MATH 155 Calculus for Biological Scientists I (GT-MA1) 1B MATH 160 Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1) 1B Global and Cultural Awareness E AUCC Credits Total Credits 28-29
2 Major in Watershed Science Sophomore ESS 210/GR 210 Physical Geography LIFE 20 Ecology NR 22 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 4 SOCR 240 Introductory Soil Science 4 WR 04/GR 04 Sustainable Watersheds A MATH 161 Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1) 1B MATH 255 Calculus for Biological Scientists II 1B Select one course from the following: 5 PH 121 General Physics I (GT-SC1) A PH 141 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1) A Social and Behavioral Sciences C Total Credits 29 Summer NR 220 Natural Resource Ecology and Measurements 5 Total Credits 5 Junior AREC 42 Water Law, Policy, and Institutions ESS 20 Internship and Career Preparation 1 ESS 0 Quantitative Reasoning for Ecosystem Science SOCR 470 Soil Physics SOCR 471 Soil Physics Laboratory 1 WR 418 2 Land Use and Water Quality WR 419 Water Quality Laboratory for Wildland Managers 2 CO 01B Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO) 2 JTC 00 Professional and Technical Communication (GT-CO) 2 LB 00 Specialized Professional Writing 2 STAT 01 Introduction to Statistical Methods STAT 15 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists Historical Perspectives D Total Credits 28 Senior WR 416 2 Land Use Hydrology 4B WR 417 2 Watershed Measurements WR 440 Watershed Problem Analysis 4A,4B,4C WR 486 Watershed Field Practicum 2 Select one couse from the following: SOCR 22 Principles of Microclimatology WR 474 Snow Hydrology Watershed Science Department List (see list below) 9 Electives 6-7 Total Credits 29-0 Program Total Credits: 120
Major in Watershed Science Watershed Science Department List Select a minimum of 9 credits from courses not taken elsewhere in the program. Additional coursework may be required due to prerequisites. Code Title Credits Earth Sciences ATS 50 Introduction to Weather and Climate 2 ATS 51 Introduction to Weather and Climate Lab 1 CIVE 22 Basic Hydrology CIVE 41 Environmental River Mechanics CIVE 42 Groundwater Engineering CIVE 425 Soil and Water Engineering CIVE 440 Nonpoint Source Pollution GEOL 452 Hydrogeology 4 GEOL 454 Geomorphology 4 GR 2/NR 2 Remote Sensing and Image Interpretation GR Glaciers and Climate Change GR 410 NR 422 Climate Change: Science, Policy, Implications GIS Applications in Natural Resource Management SOCR 22 Principles of Microclimatology SOCR 440 Pedology 4 WR 406 Seasonal Snow Environments WR 474 Snow Hydrology WR 492 Seminar WR 575 Snow Hydrology Field Methods 1 Ecology BSPM 445 Aquatic Insects 4 BZ 440 Plant Physiology BZ 441 Plant Physiology Laboratory 2 4 BZ 471 Stream Biology and Ecology BZ 472 Stream Biology and Ecology Laboratory 1 BZ 474 Limnology CIVE 0 Ecological Engineering ESS 11 Ecosystem Ecology RS 478 Ecological Restoration Sustainability AREC 442 Water Resource Economics ESS 12 Sustainability Science ESS 412 Sustainable Cities ESS 471 Special Topics in Ecosystem Sustainability 1-6 NR 10 Ecosystem Services and Human Well-Being NR 20 Natural Resources History and Policy NRRT 0 Social Aspects of Natural Resource Management NRRT 62 Environmental Conflict Management SOC 461 Water, Society, and Environment 1 2 LIFE 102 or equivalent is required to take LIFE 10. Partially satisfies requirements of the Sustainable Water Interdisciplinary Minor. Select enough elective credits to bring the program total to a minimum of 120 credits, of which at least 42 must be upper-division (00- to 400-level). Major Completion Map Distinctive Requirements for Degree Program: This program assumes that students will either test out of or take the prerequisite Mathematics courses (MATH 117, MATH 118, MATH 124, MATH 125, MATH 126) prior to the courses listed in this plan. Freshman Semester 1 Critical Recommended AUCC Credits CO 150 College Composition (GT-CO2) X 1A ESS 120 Intro to Ecosystem and Watershed Sciences 1 ESS 129 Information Management for Sustainability X 1 Select one from the following: 4 BZ 110 & BZ 111 Principles of Animal Biology (GT-SC2) X A BZ 120 Principles of Plant Biology (GT-SC1) X A LIFE 10 Biology of Organisms-Animals and Plants X -4 GEOL 110 Introduction to Geology-Parks and Monuments (GT-SC2) X A GEOL 120 Exploring Earth - Physical Geology (GT-SC2) X A GEOL 122 The Blue Planet - Geology of Our Environment (GT-SC2) X A GEOL 124 Geology of Natural Resources (GT-SC2) X A GEOL 150 Physical Geology for Scientists and Engineers X A Total Credits 15-16 Semester 2 Critical Recommended AUCC Credits ESS 10 Intro to Systems Theory for Sustainability X 1 Select one group from the following: 5
4 Major in Watershed Science Group A: CHEM 107 Fundamentals of Chemistry (GT-SC2) X A CHEM 108 Fundamentals of Chemistry Laboratory (GT-SC1) X A Group B: CHEM 111 General Chemistry I (GT-SC2) X A CHEM 112 General Chemistry Lab I (GT-SC1) X A MATH 155 Calculus for Biological Scientists I (GT-MA1) X 1B MATH 160 Calculus for Physical Scientists I (GT-MA1) X 1B Global and Cultural Awareness E CO 150 and AUCC 1B (MATH) requirement must be completed by the end of Semester 2. Sophomore Total Credits 1 Semester Critical Recommended AUCC Credits ESS 210/GR 210 Physical Geography X NR 22 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems X 4 SOCR 240 Introductory Soil Science X 4 MATH 161 Calculus for Physical Scientists II (GT-MA1) X 1B MATH 255 Calculus for Biological Scientists II X 1B Total Credits 15 Semester 4 Critical Recommended AUCC Credits LIFE 20 Ecology X WR 04/GR 04 Sustainable Watersheds X A Select one course from the following: 5 PH 121 General Physics I (GT-SC1) X A PH 141 Physics for Scientists and Engineers I (GT-SC1) X A Social and Behavioral Sciences C SOCR 240 must be completed by the end of Semester 4. X Total Credits 14 Semester 5 Critical Recommended AUCC Credits NR 220 Natural Resource Ecology and Measurements X X 5 Junior Total Credits 5 Semester 6 Critical Recommended AUCC Credits SOCR 470 Soil Physics X SOCR 471 Soil Physics Laboratory X 1 CO 01B Writing in the Disciplines: Sciences (GT-CO) X 2 JTC 00 Professional and Technical Communication (GT-CO) X 2 LB 00 Specialized Professional Writing X 2 STAT 01 Introduction to Statistical Methods X STAT 15 Statistics for Engineers and Scientists X WR 04/GR 04 must be completed by the end of Semester 6. X Total Credits 1 Semester 7 Critical Recommended AUCC Credits AREC 42 Water Law, Policy, and Institutions X ESS 20 Internship and Career Preparation 1 ESS 0 Quantitative Reasoning for Ecosystem Science X X
Major in Watershed Science 5 WR 418 Land Use and Water Quality X WR 419 Water Quality Laboratory for Wildland Managers X 2 Historical Perspectives D Senior Total Credits 15 Semester 8 Critical Recommended AUCC Credits WR 416 Land Use Hydrology X 4B WR 417 Watershed Measurements X WR 486 Watershed Field Practicum X 2 SOCR 22 (Spring only) Principles of Microclimatology WR 474 Snow Hydrology Elective Total Credits 14 Semester 9 Critical Recommended AUCC Credits WR 440 Watershed Problem Analysis X 4A,4B,4C Watershed Science Department List selection (See Department List on Requirements tab). X 9 Electives X -4 SOCR 22 or WR 474 MUST be completed by the end of Semester 9. X The benchmark courses for the 9th semester are the remaining courses in the entire program of study. Total Credits 15-16 Program Total Credits: 120 X