Water Resources Engineering (CERT)

Water Resources Engineering is an essential area of expertise to manage society’s increasingly limited water resources, including both quality and quantity.

Our planet’s water resources are under increasing pressure from challenges including climate change and supporting a growing human population’s need for energy, water, and food. To help ensure a clean, safe and reliable supply of fresh water for both humans and natural ecosystems, there is an increasing need for water resources engineers who can help design and implement water management solutions.

This certificate provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the hydrologic cycle, including the processes that drive precipitation, runoff and groundwater dynamics. Students will develop skills related to numerical groundwater modeling and water quality assessment while studying the social, economic and technological factors that impact water resources management. This program's emphasis on real-world case studies and practical applications prepares students to address complex water resources issues. Curriculum focus on advanced understanding of water resources engineering including physical, chemical, biological, and socioeconomic considerations.

Students will be sufficiently trained through disciplinary coursework to bring water resources engineering expertise to a team, and will have the breadth in water resources engineering to be able to communicate with professionals from the broad range of specialties involved in the planning, design, management, and operation of water resources infrastructure. Specific learning outcomes of the program include:

• In-depth disciplinary knowledge and capacity to apply that knowledge to water resource issues at multiple scales,
• Breadth of knowledge in fundamental areas of water resources engineering, including physical hydrology, hydraulics, water quality, and socio-technical systems,
• Skill in integrating water resources concepts across multiple disciplines,
• Original and innovative contributions to the design, management, and/or operation of water resources systems,
• The ability to employ technical knowledge and leadership skills to a water resources research problem,
• The ability to communicate professionally and with the public about water resources and about water resources research. They will gain skills and experience in communicating in both formal and informal venues with learners, practitioners, and community members.