Hydrology

Do you want to address concerns related to the most fundamental of all natural resources? Water is necessary for life on Earth, and hydrologists seek to solve problems that affect sustainability of water quantity and quality. Hydrologic science is the study of water in all of its aspects: as weather, river basins, groundwater, glaciers, lakes, streams, permafrost and water vapor. Hydrologists measure and analyze water beneath the ground, on the earth’s surface and in the atmosphere to determine how water is affected by physical, chemical and biological processes on Earth.

Major Requirements

At the lower division level, you will complete foundational courses in mathematics, natural sciences and basic concepts of engineering. At the upper division, you will choose an area of concentration: surface hydrology, hydrogeology, remote sensing, water management or water quality. Depending on your special concentration, you may focus more intensively on running water, groundwater, water contamination and restoration or the use of computers and other technological systems in hydrology.