B.S. in Hydrogeology

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to demonstrate:

• Foundational Science & Mathematics Students will explain core concepts in physics, chemistry, geology, biology, and calculus to interpret the fundamental processes governing natural systems.
• Depth of Disciplinary Knowledge Students will analyze complex problems in a chosen field of science (geology, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or computer science) and construct evidence-based arguments about the processes affecting natural systems.
• Earth Systems Understanding Students will compare the interactions among Earth's major systems — oceans, atmosphere, and solid Earth — and explain how natural and human-induced changes alter these systems over time.
• Hydrogeological Principles & Field Methods Students will apply the principles of fluid flow, groundwater-surface water interaction, and aquifer dynamics to characterize hydrogeological systems, and execute field and laboratory data collection protocols including water sampling.
• Integrative Problem Solving Students will design solutions to solid-Earth and water-resource problems by integrating knowledge and methods drawn from across the curriculum, while evaluating the broader societal implications of groundwater and solid-Earth issues.
• Scientific Communication Students will communicate scientific findings to diverse audiences by producing written reports, oral presentations, and data visualizations that clearly convey evidence, methodology, and conclusions.

First Year

Fall

• CHEM 1100 - Principles of Chemistry I Credit Hours: 4
• ERTH 1100 - Earth, Energy and the Environment Credit Hours: 3
• ERTH 1150 - Earth, Energy and the Environment Lab Credit Hours: 1
• HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
• MATH 1010 - Calculus I Credit Hours: 4

Spring

• CHEM 1200 - Chemistry II Credit Hours: 4
• ERTH 1200 - Earth’s Surface Processes Credit Hours: 3
• ERTH 1250 - Earth’s Surface Processes Lab Credit Hours: 1
• HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
• MATH 1020 - Calculus II Credit Hours: 4

Second Year

Fall

• HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
• CSCI XXXX Computer Science Elective Credit Hours: 4
• ERTH 2210 Field Methods Credit Hours: 4
• PHYS 1100 - Physics I (M) Credit Hours: 4

or

PHYS 1110 - Physics I (S) Credit Hours: 4

Spring

• ADMN 1030 - ARCH Exploration & Planning Credit Hours: 0
• ERTH 2100 - Introduction to Geophysics Credit Hours: 4
• ERTH 2140 - Introduction to Geochemistry Credit Hours: 4
• HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
• PHYS 1200 - Physics II Credit Hours: 4

Third Year

Fall

• ERTH 4190 - Environmental Measurements Credit Hours: 4
• HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
• Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
• ERTH 2120 - Structural Geology Credit Hours: 4
•  

Spring

• MATH 2400 - Introduction to Differential Equations Credit Hours: 4
• Elective Credit Hours: 8
• Biology Requirement Credit Hours: 4

Fall or Spring

• ILEA 4400 - Independent Learning Experience Credit Hours: 0

Fourth Year

Fall

• Free Elective Credit Hours: 4
• ENVE 2110 - Introduction to Environmental Engineering Credit Hours: 4
• ERTH 4710 - Groundwater Hydrology Credit Hours: 4
• ERTH 4070 – Sedimentology and Stratigraphy Credit Hours 4

Spring

• Culminating Experience Credit Hours: 4
• Electives Credit Hours: 4
• HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Detailed Program Information

A total of 20 credit hours of free electives is required. These electives should be designed to provide a depth of understanding in a subdiscipline of hydrogeology (e.g., geology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, computer science, engineering, etc.). A limited list of suggested courses for free electives includes the following:

BIOL 4620 - Molecular Biology Credit Hours: 4

CHEM 4410 - Macroscopic Physical Chemistry Credit Hours: 3

CHEM 4420 - Microscopic Physical Chemistry Credit Hours: 3

CHEM 4810 - Chemistry of the Environment Credit Hours: 4

CIVL 4240 - Finite Element Method Credit Hours: 3

CSCI 1200 - Data Structures Credit Hours: 4

ECSE 4510 - Digital Control Systems Credit Hours: 3

ERTH 2100 - Introduction to Geophysics Credit Hours: 4

ERTH 2140 - Introduction to Geochemistry Credit Hours: 4

ERTH 4370 - The Global Carbon Cycle Credit Hours: 4

ERTH 4540 - Organic Geochemistry Credit Hours: 4

ERTH 4690 - Aqueous Geochemistry Credit Hours: 4

ISYE 4140 - Statistical Analysis Credit Hours: 4

MATP 4600 - Probability Theory and Applications Credit Hours: 4

MATP 4700 - Mathematical Models of Operations Research Credit Hours: 4

PHYS 2350 - Experimental Physics Credit Hours: 4