Program / Courses

Purpose and Scope

More than one quadrillion gallons of the world's freshwater is appropriated each year to support agriculture, industry, mining, and urbanization. These thirsty culprits, together with climate change, have stressed the global supply and quality of water, imperiling human health and the functioning of freshwater and coastal ecosystems alike. Mitigating water scarcity and pollution relies on management approaches and policy levers that reflect the most recent advances in scientific understanding and on skill in forecasting ecosystem responses and socio-economic consequences of potential management and policy actions.

The purpose of this specialization is to build student expertise in the science, policy, and management of water resources in preparation for careers that call for solutions to challenges posed by the world's emerging and longstanding water-related issues. Students seeking employment within federal and state environmental agencies (e.g., USGS, USEPA, DEP), environmental non-governmental organizations (e.g., WRI, Nature Conservancy), international development agencies, local and interstate watershed commissions, industry, and environmental consulting firms should consider this specialization.

Specialization Coordinator: Jim Saiers