The Water Resources Management is a flexible, interdisciplinary course of study leading to a Master of Science degree. It is a technically and scientifically based program that blends the physical aspects of hydrology with policy and management issues in hydroscience. People with degrees in physical, biological, or natural sciences, and engineering, and those with degrees in the social sciences, management, environmental studies, or related disciplines, are encouraged to apply to the program. Working together, the student and faculty advising committee will design specific courses of study and thesis topics such that all students will strengthen their understanding of hydrologic science and water management while also developing technical skills.
Water resources are crucial to the continuance of life on our planet.
In our world of burgeoning human population, massive pollution, stressed ecosystems, and under the specter of global climate change, issues of water quality and quantity have become increasingly important. Particularly in the arid Southwestern U.S., proper protection and management of this precious resource is deemed by many to be the final criterion on which survival will be decided. Often the most reasonable strategy for attacking water problems is an interdisciplinary approach. Managing water contamination events and protecting water quality may require, for example, a knowledge of chemistry, biology, microbiology, geology, hydrology, economics, computer modeling, political science, and perhaps other fields. Whether the professional will be approaching questions of water quality or water quantity, of surface water or groundwater, of water resources economics or water law, an interdisciplinary education with specialty in selected areas of concentration is vital.