The Science of Water

3 Credits · Level: Undergraduate

Water is the basic element of life on Earth. Hydrology, the scientific study of water, includes topics about water in the atmosphere, on and over the earth’s landscape, and beneath its surface. Water has unique properties that are vital to life on earth and define its movement and distribution across the landscape, as well as its quantity and quality. In this course, we will survey the components of the hydrologic cycle including the processes of precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, infiltration, ground-water flow, surface water runoff and streamflow. We will study the physical properties of water and explore basic methods of measuring and estimating rates of water transport as well as building a better understanding of human interactions with the hydrologic cycle. The course objective is to provide you with an introductory understanding of the science of hydrology and the knowledge and tools to collect and analyze water data to answer questions related to hydrological processes. The course includes both lecture and practical exercises with exams that cover both aspects.