5 credits
This course offers students an introduction to hydrology and water resource sciences. Students learn basic
water chemistry and are introduced to the hydrologic cycle with an emphasis on runoff and hydrologic
measurements. The most current local, national, and global water resource topics and issues are also
discussed in detail.5 credits
This course is designed to introduce students to watershed formation and function with an emphasis on
fluvial geomorphology and stream classification techniques. Students will explore the relationship between
geology, watershed types, water quantity, water quality, and related management issues.5 credits
Students learn basic hydrogeologic principles including groundwater occurrence, mapping, flow directions
and velocity. Students will understand how to obtain and measure groundwater elevations, create groundwater
elevation contour maps, estimate groundwater flow directions and velocities, and construct contamination
plumes. Students will be introduced to basic well construction techniques, groundwater monitoring
techniques, water distribution systems, and methods for water treatment.5 credits
Students are introduced to basic water quality parameters including temperature, pH, conductivity, dissolved
oxygen, Biological Oxygen Demand, Nitrogen, and Phosphorus. Emphasis is placed on the ecological impacts
related to water quality and the need for water quality data collection and interpretation to aid in decision
making concerning the environment. Lake ecology and Trophic State classifications are investigated as well
as water quality field sampling and laboratory analyses.5 credits
Students will apply the knowledge acquired in Water Quality to conduct intensive field sampling of area
streams and lakes including an introduction to Sampling and Analysis Plans (SAP), Quality Assurance Project
Plans (QAPP), Chain of Custodies, and database management. Emphasis will be placed on field equipment care,
maintenance, and calibration, as well as data collection, management, and interpretation. Detailed field
notebooks are kept as part of this course.5 credits
This course introduces students to basic meteorological and climatological phenomena including winds, weather
fronts, air masses, clouds, temperature, and precipitation. Basic computations, weather map analyses,
forecasting and instrumentation techniques are emphasized. Students will collect and analyze data from the
weather station on the SCC campus as part of this course. This course has a sizeable on line component and
strongly emphasizes the direct relationship of weather to water resources, planning, and global environmental
issues.5 credits
Students are introduced to various habitat inventory procedures to gain an understanding of the conditions,
processes, and interactions between the human, aquatic, riparian, and terrestrial features of watersheds at
multiple landscape scales. Students investigate various watershed restoration projects in the region and
collect water quality data; fish habitat and riparian vegetation data; survey and GPS data to support
ongoing monitoring efforts through the Water Resources Program at SCC. Whenever possible, students are
directly involved in real world watershed restoration projects including all facets of data collection,
evaluation, and design in cooperation with local government agencies, land owners, private industry, and
tribes.2 credits each
A course designed to assist students in pursuing careers in water resources. Faculty assist students in
understanding and preparing employment applications, resumes, developing job interviewing skills and
techniques, making employer contacts, and job search skills.1-3 credits
This course provides additional practical experience in a specific area of interest within water resources.
Projects will be discussed with the instructor and agreed upon at the beginning of the quarter.