Watersheds & Water Resources Minor

PROFESSOR C. GREGORY KNIGHT, Department of Geography, in charge

Watersheds are important landscape features that control the biogeochemistry of natural waters. This interdisciplinary minor enables students to learn the fundamental processes governing the transport and chemical evolution of surface and subsurface waters. It provides a complement to elective and required coursework in earth sciences, resource management, wastewater treatment, and/or environmental planning. Students in this program will learn to apply fundamental concepts of chemistry, biology, geoscience, and landscape evolution to processes operating at the watershed scale. Learning objectives for the minor include excellence in written and oral expression, the ability to collect and interpret data from dynamic natural systems, and rigor in scientific thought.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MINOR: 18 credits
Select 18 credits from the WWR committee’s approved list of courses, which includes but is not limited to courses listed below. At least 6 credits must be taken at the 400 level:
    GEOSC 201 (4), 340, 412, 413, 452, 457, 462, 483 (3)
    GEOG 410 (3)
    METEO 417 (3)
    BIOL 435 (3)
    CHEM 034 (3)
    WFS 309, 410 (3)
    CE 270, 475 (3)
    ERM 200 (1), 411 (3), 424 (1)
    FOR 470 (3), 471 (1)
    SOILS 415 (3)
    GEOEE 408 (3)
    ASM 327 (3)

Scheduling Recommendation by Semester Standing

Program committee:
Susan Brantley, Geosciences
Toby Carlson, Meteorology
David DeWalle, Forest Hydrology
Tanya Furman, Geosciences
C. Gregory Knight, Geography
John Ousey, Penn State Delaware County
Alan Taylor, Geography
Brian Tormey, Penn State Altoona
Brent Yarnal, Geography