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Water Resources Major
Water resources students engage in field studies, laboratory work and geographic information system (GIS) analysis of hydrologic systems to investigate natural and anthropogenic processes and impacts to this important resource.
The water resources major at The College at Brockport is a challenging, interdisciplinary study of the science of hydrology and associated earth environments. Course work includes hydrology--the scientific study of water--and the closely related earth and physical sciences, including geology, chemistry and physics.
This major is offered to meet the growing demand for hydrologists and other water resources professionals by federal, state, and local government agencies; private sector environmental and consulting firms; and industrial and educational institutions. Courses recommended for federal employment as a hydrologist are part of the curriculum. Recent graduates are employed in water-resource study, in resource management, and in pollution-control positions; in geophysical and environmental consulting firms; and in governmental scientific and regulatory agencies. Others have continued their studies at the graduate level in water resources, environmental engineering, and related disciplines.
Curriculum Overview
Water Resources majors must earn a minimum of 43 credits (cr.) in hydrology and the closely related earth and physical sciences. Additional requirements are two semesters each of calculus, college chemistry with laboratory, and college physics with laboratory.
Course Listing
Required courses (43 hours):
| GEL 201 | Introduction to Physical Geology | (4 cr.) |
| ESC 211 | Introduction to Meteorology | (4 cr.) |
| ESC 350 | Computational Methods in the Field Sciences | (3 cr.) |
| ESC 351 | Laboratory Experiences in Scientific Programming | (1 cr.) |
| ESC 391 | Writing in the Earth Sciences | (1 cr.) |
| ESC 412 | Hydrology (with laboratory) | (4 cr.) |
| ESC 418 | Watershed Sciences | (3 cr.) |
| ESC 493 | Seminar on Earth Sciences Problems | (2 cr.) |
| GEL 415 | Geomorphology | (4 cr.) |
| GEL 457 | Geochemistry | (4 cr.) |
| GEL 462 | Groundwater | (4 cr.) |
| Designated electives by advisement (9 cr.) | ||
To make normal progress toward the degree, students should take ESC 391 and ESC 350 in the sophomore year (or junior year at the latest) and ESC 493 in the senior year. In planning your program of study, please note most 400-level required courses are offered every other year.
Designated electives:
| ESC 313 | Environmental Climatology | (3 cr.) |
| ESC 325 | Wetlands Systems | (3 cr.) |
| ESC 430 | Geographic Information Systems | (4 cr.) |
| ESC 455 | Soil Science | (3 cr.) |
| GEL 411 | Stratigraphy & Sedimentology | (4 cr.) |
| GEL 363 | Environmental Geology | (3 cr.) |
| BIO 419 | Limnology | (3 cr.) |
| BIO 436 | Water Quality Analysis | (4 cr.) |
| Required co-requisite courses (24 hours): | ||
| MTH 201-202 | Calculus I, II | (8 cr.) |
| CHM 205-206 | College Chemistry I, II | (8 cr.) |
| PHS 201-202 | College Physics I, II | (8 cr.) |
