GEOL 275 - Hydrology

A general overview of hydrogeology and an investigation of the occurrence, distribution, movement, chemistry, and environmental effects of groundwater in a geologic framework. The course presents the basic principles, methods, and applications of the discipline and prepares students to address simple groundwater problems. It also prepares students to ask appropriate questions when faced with groundwater management and protection problems. Groundwater is addressed from several perspectives, as an integral part of the hydrologic cycle, as a geologic agent, and as a managed natural resource in an environmental context. The course presents numerous hydrogeologic methods, including quantitative tools, and then requires students to apply these methods to address problems commonly encountered by professionals. Numerous case studies are used to cultivate student understanding of groundwater in a variety of geologic settings. Prerequisite: GEOL 109 or GEOL 110 or GEOG 111. Additional natural science courses highly recommended. Spring (Alternate years) (Group II)