Degree Programs for Hydrologists

Hydrology is the science which studies of the movement, distribution, and quality of water throughout the Earth. It includes the water resources and hydrologic cycle. A scientist which practises hydrology is a hydrologist.

These scientists work within the fields of:

Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Hydrology

Bachelor’s degree programs in hydrology, are sometimes being called hydrologic science or water resource science, provide students with an understanding of regional and global water problems, along with water circulation and distribution. Undergraduate hydrology degree programs also cover water’s impact on climate change, hazardous material spread and water systems maintenance for human consumption, industry and agriculture.

Master’s Degree Programs in Hydrology

Hydrology Degree

Master’s degree programs in hydrology train students for careers as hydrologists with the private sector, government or academic institutions. Many programs offers sub-specializations in areas such as surface water hydrology, vadose zone hydrology, watershed hydrology and water resource evaluation.

The Master of Science degree in Hydrogeology requires 24 semester credit hours of course work and six semester credit hours of thesis research. Candidates are required to write a thesis based on original research and defend it at an oral examination. For students on leave from industry, a special non-thesis option is available, which requires 30 semester credit hours of course work and the passing of a comprehensive written examination. The expectation is that full-time students should complete all degree requirements within two years. Candidates with one or more academic deficiencies may require one or two additional semesters.

All students are also required to take GEOL 851. Regular attendance at this weekly seminar is expected of all students whether or not they are enrolled for credit.

For those students who enter the Master’s program lacking a baccalaureate degree in the geosciences, deficiencies in their geological education have to be made up during the first year. It should include coursework in:

Mineralogy,
Structural geology or petrology,
Hydrogeology, and
Sedimentation or stratigraphy.

Students entering this program should also have a strong mathematics background. 2 semesters of calculus are required; a third semester of calculus and a course in differential equations are recommended. Students lacking two semesters of calculus will be required to take calculus through MTHSC 108 (Calculus of One Variable II). GEOL 415 (Analysis of Geological Processes) is recommended for students who have not had a third semester of calculus or differential equations.

Domains of hydrology include:

Hydrometeorology,
Surface Hydrology,
Hydrogeology,
Drainage basin management and water chemistry, where water plays the central role.

Oceanography and meteorology are not included because water is only one of many important aspects.

Hydrological research can inform environmental engineering, policy and planning.

Admission Requirements for Master Degree in Hydrogeology

Unconditional admission to the program requires students to have completed a baccalaureate degree in geology or earth science that includes the course work listed below. Students with degrees from other natural sciences and engineering may apply, and course deficiencies will be determined from transcript evaluation.

Chemistry (2 semesters)
Physics (2 semesters)
Calculus (2 semesters)
Physical Geology
Historical Geology
Petrology
Sedimentology
Stratigraphy
Mineralogy
Structural Geology
Geomorphology or Glacial Geology
Geology Field Camp

Applications of Hydrology

Determining the water balance of a region
Determining the agricultural water balance
Designing riparian restoration projects
Mitigating and predicting flood, landslide and drought risk
Real-time flood forecasting and flood warning
Designing irrigation schemes and managing agricultural productivity
Part of the hazard module in catastrophe modeling
Providing drinking water
Designing dams for water supply or hydroelectric power generation
Designing bridges
Designing sewers and urban drainage system
Analyzing the impacts of antecedent moisture on sanitary sewer systems
Predicting geomorphological changes, such as erosion or sedimentation
Assessing the impacts of natural and anthropogenic environmental change on water resources
Assessing contaminant transport risk and establishing environmental policy guidelines

Employment Outlook and Salary Information

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov) reported an expected employment growth of 18% during the 2008-2018 time period. As the population grows and encroaches on environmentally sensitive regions, more hydrologists are needed to address concerns such as geologic hazards in coastal areas and the effects of hurricanes or other natural hazards. Hydrologists are employed by architectural and engineering services, scientific consulting services and the federal government.

The median annual salary for hydrologists in 2008 was $71,450, according to the BLS.