Agricultural Sciences & Natural Resources Water Science
Description
Website: http://snr.unl.edu/undergrad/majors/water
The degree program in water science is designed to educate students in basic and applied sciences related to water resources. The goal is to educate individuals to gather and synthesize information from several disciplines, formulate rational and broadly informed solutions to complex water related problems, and effectively implement various water-based programs.
The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students who intend to pursue careers in public and private organizations that conduct scientific water research or manage water resources, in private consulting companies that offer water research or management services, in agencies that form or implement water related policy, and in a broad range of nonprofit institutions that are interested in water resources. The program also provides students the opportunity to prepare for graduate study in water/hydrological sciences and water resources.
A minimum of 120 credit hours is required for the bachelor of science degree. Of these requirements, 43-48 credit hours are in an integrated water science curriculum designed to provide both breadth and depth in water resources. The water science degree program also requires 21 credit hours of science and mathematics. In addition, the student must select an option area consisting of approximately 18-26 credit hours. The option allows students to develop an individualized area of study. To complete the degree, the student must take 24 credit hours of communication, humanities, and social science courses.
Option areas include:
- Aquatic Ecology Option
- Hydrology Option
- Water Law and Policy Option
- Water Quality Option
- Watershed Management Option
Application for University of Nebraska–Lincoln freshman scholarships automatically makes you eligible for SNR scholarships. Many scholarships are available, including the Viessman Scholarship, specifically for students in water science. For more information, visit http://snr.unl.edu.
College Requirements
College Admission
Requirements for admission into the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources (CASNR) are consistent with general University admission requirements (one unit equals one high school year): 4 units of English, 4 units of mathematics, 3 units of natural sciences, 3 units of social sciences, and 2 units of world language. Students must also meet performance requirements: a 3.0 cumulative high school grade point average OR an ACT composite of 20 or higher, writing portion not required OR a score of 1040 or higher on the SAT Critical Reading and Math sections OR rank in the top one-half of graduating class; transfer students must have a 2.0 (on a 4.0 scale) cumulative grade point average and 2.0 on the most recent term of attendance.
Admission Deficiencies/Removal of Deficiencies
Students who are admitted to CASNR with core course deficiencies must remove these deficiencies within the first 30 credit hours at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, or within the first calendar year at Nebraska, whichever takes longer, excluding foreign languages. Students have up to 60 credit hours to remove world language deficiencies. College-level coursework taken to remove deficiencies may be used to meet degree requirements in CASNR.
Deficiencies in the required entrance subjects can be removed by the completion of specified courses in the University or by correspondence.
The Office of Admissions, Alexander Building (south entrance), City Campus, provides information to new students on how deficiencies can be removed.
College Degree Requirements
Curriculum Requirements
The curriculum requirements of the College consist of three areas: ACE (Achievement-Centered Education), College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Core, and Degree Program requirements and electives. All three areas of the College Curriculum Requirements are incorporated within the description of the Major/Degree Program sections of the catalog. The individual major/degree program listings of classes ensures that a student will meet the minimum curriculum requirements of the College.
World Languages/Language Requirement
Two units of a world language are required. This requirement is usually met with two years of high school language.
Experiential Learning
All undergraduates in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources must take an Experiential Learning (EL) designated course. This may include 0-credit courses designed to document co-curricular activities recognized as Experiential Learning.
Minimum Hours Required for Graduation
The College grants the bachelors degree in programs associated with agricultural sciences, natural resources, and related programs. Students working toward a degree must earn at least 120 semester hours of credit. A minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained throughout the course of studies and is required for graduation. Some degree programs have a higher cumulative grade point average required for graduation. Please check the degree program on its graduation cumulative grade point average.
Grade Rules
Removal of C-, D, and F Grades
Only the most recent letter grade received in a given course will be used in computing a student’s cumulative grade point average if the student has completed the course more than once and previously received a grade or grades below C in that course.
The previous grade (or grades) will not be used in the computation of the cumulative grade point average, but it will remain a part of the academic record and will appear on any transcript.
A student can remove from his/her cumulative average a course grade of C-, D+, D, D-, or F if the student repeats the same course at the University of Nebraska and receives a grade other than P (pass), I (incomplete), N (no pass), W (withdrew), or NR (no report). If a course is no longer being offered, it is not eligible for the revised grade point average computation process.
For complete procedures and regulations, see the Office of the University Registrar website at http://www.unl.edu/regrec/course-repeats.
Pass/No Pass
Students in CASNR may take any course offered on a Pass/No Pass basis within the 24-hour limitation established by the Faculty Senate. However, a department may specify that the Pass/No Pass status of its courses be limited to non-majors or may choose to offer some courses for letter grades only.
GPA Requirements
A minimum cumulative grade point average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) must be maintained throughout the course of studies and is required for graduation. Some degree programs have a higher cumulative grade point average required for graduation. Please check the degree program on its graduation cumulative grade point average.
Transfer Credit Rules
To be considered for admission a transfer student, Nebraska resident or nonresident, must have an accumulated average of C (2.0 on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum C average in the last semester of attendance at another college. Transfer students who have completed less than 12 credit hours of college study must submit either ACT or SAT scores.
Ordinarily, credits earned at an accredited college are accepted by the University. The College, however, will evaluate all hours submitted on an application for transfer and reserves the right to accept or reject any of them. Sixty (60) is the maximum number of hours the University will accept on transfer from a two-year college. Ninety (90) is the maximum number of hours the University will accept from a four-year college. Transfer credit in the degree program must be approved by the degree program advisor on a Request for Substitution Form to meet specific course requirements, group requirements, or course level requirements in the major. At least 9 hours in the major field, including the capstone course, must be completed at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln regardless of the number of hours transferred.
The College will accept no more than 10 semester hours of C-, D+, D, and D- grades from other schools. The C-, D+, D, and D- grades can only be applied to free electives. This policy does not apply to the transfer of grades from UNO or UNK to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.
Joint Academic Transfer Programs
The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources has agreements with many institutions to support joint academic programs. The transfer programs include dual degree programs and cooperative degree programs. Dual degree programs offer students the opportunity to receive a degree from a participating institution and also to complete the requirements for a bachelor of science degree in CASNR. Cooperative programs result in a single degree from either the University of Nebraska–Lincoln or the cooperating institution.
Dual Degree Programs
A to B Programs
The A to B Program, a joint academic program offered by the CASNR and participating community colleges, allows students to complete the first two years of a degree program at the participating community college and continue their education and study in a degree program leading toward a bachelor of science degree.
The A to B Program provides a basic knowledge plus specialized coursework. Students transfer into CASNR with junior standing.
Depending on the community college, students enrolled in the A to B Program may complete the requirements for an associate of science at the community college, transfer to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, and work toward a bachelor of science degree.
Participating community colleges include:
- Central Community College
- Metropolitan Community College
- Mid-Plains Community College
- Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
- Nebraska Indian Community College
- Northeast Community College
- Southeast Community College
- Western Nebraska Community College
3+2 Programs
Two specialized degree programs in animal science and veterinary science are offered jointly with an accredited college or school of veterinary medicine. These two programs permit CASNR animal science or veterinary science students to receive a bachelor of science degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln with a degree in animal science or veterinary science after successfully completing two years of the professional curriculum in veterinary medicine at an accredited veterinary school. Students who successfully complete the 3+2 Program, must provide transcripts and complete the Application for Degree form via MyRED. Students without MyRED access may apply for graduation in person at Husker Hub in the Canfield Administration Building, or by mail. Students should discuss these degree programs with their academic advisor.
Cooperative Degree Programs
Academic credit from the University and a cooperating institution are applied towards a four-year degree from either the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (University degree-granting program) or the cooperating institution (non-University degree-granting program). All have approved programs of study.
UNL Degree-Granting Programs
A University of Nebraska–Lincoln degree-granting program is designed to provide students the opportunity to complete a two-year program of study at one of the four-year institutions listed below, transfer to CASNR, and complete the requirements for a bachelor of science degree.
Chadron State College. Chadron State College offers a 2+2 program leading to a grassland ecology and management degree program and a transfer program leading to a bachelor of science in agricultural education in the teaching option.
Wayne State College. Wayne State College offers a 3+1 program leading to a bachelor of science in plant biology in the ecology and management option and a 3+1 program leading to a bachelor of science in Applied Science.
University of Nebraska at Kearney. Transfer programs are available for students pursuing degree programs leading to a bachelor of science degree.
University of Nebraska at Omaha. Transfer programs are available for students pursuing degree programs leading to a bachelor of science degree.
Non University of Nebraska–Lincoln Degree-Granting Programs
CASNR cooperates with other institutions to provide coursework that is applied towards a degree at the cooperating institution. Pre-professional programs offered by CASNR allow students to complete the first two or three years of a degree program at the University prior to transferring and completing a degree at the cooperating institution.
Chadron State College–Range Science. The 3+1 Program in range science allows Chadron State College students to pursue a range science degree through Chadron State College. Students complete three years of coursework at Chadron State College and one year of specialized range science coursework (32 credit hours) at CASNR.
Dordt College (Iowa)–Agricultural Education: Teaching Option. This program allows students to pursue an Agricultural Education Teaching Option degree leading toward a bachelor of science in agricultural education. Students at Dordt College will complete 90 credit hours in the Agricultural Education: Teaching Option Transfer Program.
Residency
Students must complete at least 30 of the total hours for their degree using University of Nebraska–Lincoln credits. At least 18 of the 30 credit hours must be in courses offered through CASNR1 (>299) including the appropriate ACE 10 degree requirement or an approved ACE 10 substitution offered through another Nebraska college and excluding independent study regardless of the number of hours transferred. Credit earned during education abroad may be used toward the residency requirement if students register through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and participate in prior-approved education abroad programs. The University of Nebraska–Lincoln open enrollment and summer independent study courses count toward residence.
- 1
Includes courses taught by CASNR faculty through interdisciplinary prefixes (e.g., LIFE, MBIO, ENVR, SCIL, EAEP, HRTM, ENSC) and CASNR crosslisted courses taught by non-CASNR faculty.
Online and Distance Education
There are many opportunities to earn college credit online through the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Some of these credits may be applicable not only as elective credits but also toward the fulfillment of the College’s education requirements. Credits earned online may count toward residency. However, certain offerings may not be counted toward scholarship requirements or academic recognition criteria.
For further information, contact:
Office of Online and Distance Education
University of Nebraska–Lincoln
305 Brace Labs
Lincoln, NE 68588-0109
402-472-4681
http://online.unl.edu/
Independent Study Rules
Students wishing to take part in independent studies must obtain permission; complete and sign a contract form; and furnish copies of the contract to the instructor, advisor, departmental office, and the Dean’s Office. The contract should be completed before registration. Forms are available in 103 Agricultural Hall or online at the CASNR website.
Independent study projects include research, literature review or extension of coursework under the supervision and evaluation of a departmental faculty member.
Students may only count 12 hours of independent study toward their degrees and no more than 6 hours can be counted during their last 36 hours earned, excluding senior thesis, internships, and courses taught under an independent study number.
Other College Degree Requirements
Capstone Course Requirement
A capstone course is required for each CASNR degree program. A capstone course is defined as a course in which students are required to integrate diverse bodies of knowledge to solve a problem or formulate a policy of societal importance.
ACE Requirements
All students must fulfill the Achievement Centered Education (ACE) requirements. Information about the ACE program may be viewed at ace.unl.edu.
The minimum requirements of CASNR reflect the common core of courses that apply to students pursuing degrees in the college. Students should work with an advisor to satisfy ACE outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, and 10 with the college requirements.
Catalog Rule
Students must fulfill the requirements stated in the catalog for the academic year in which they are first admitted to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln or when they were first admitted to a Joint Academic Transfer Program. Students transferring from a community college, but without admission to a Joint Academic Transfer Program, may be eligible to fulfill the requirements as stated in the catalog for an academic year in which they were enrolled at the community college prior to attending the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. This decision should be made in consultation with academic advisors, provided the student a) was enrolled in a community college during the catalog year they are utilizing, b) maintained continuous enrollment at the previous institution for 1 academic year or more, and c) continued enrollment at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln within 1 calendar year from their last term at the previous institution. In consultation with advisors, a student may choose to follow a subsequent catalog for any academic year in which they are admitted to and enrolled as a degree-seeking student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources. Students must complete all degree requirements from a single catalog year. The catalog which a student follows for degree requirements may not be more than 10 years old at the time of graduation.
Learning Outcomes
Graduates of water science will be able to:
- Demonstrate a broad range of knowledge and understanding of basic and applied sciences that relate to water resources.
- Gather and synthesize information from several disciplines, formulate ecologically and economically rational alternatives, and effectively implement various water-based programs.
- Communicate through writings and oral presentations complex ideas and develop sound arguments based on technical knowledge.
- Pursue careers in agencies that form or implement policy at all levels of government, in public and private organizations that manage water and land resources, and in a broad range of public, private, and nonprofit institutions that are interested in water resources.
- Conduct original research that includes developing a hypothesis, designing appropriate experiments, collecting and analyzing data, interpreting results, and drawing conclusions.
Major Requirements
Core Requirements
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Natural Resources Core | ||
| College Integrative Course (ACE 8) | ||
| SCIL 101 | Science and Decision-Making for a Complex World | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 3 | |
| Natural Sciences | ||
| CASNR Approved Life Sciences (ACE 4) | ||
| CHEM 109A & CHEM 109L | General Chemistry I and General Chemistry I Laboratory (ACE 4) | 4 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Plant Science and Agronomic Plant Science Laboratory | ||
| General Biology and General Biology Laboratory | ||
| Fundamentals of Biology I and Fundamentals of Biology I laboratory | ||
| Select one of the following: | 5 | |
| Physical Principles in Agriculture and Life Sciences and Physical Principles in Agriculture and Life Sciences Laboratory | ||
| Elementary General Physics I | ||
| Elements of Physics and Elements of Physics Laboratory | ||
| General Physics I and General Physics Laboratory I | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 13 | |
| Mathematics and Statistics (ACE 3) | ||
| MATH 106 | Calculus I | 5 |
| STAT 218 | Introduction to Statistics | 3 |
| or STAT 380 | Statistics and Applications | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 8 | |
| Communication | ||
| Written Communication (ACE 1) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Writing and Inquiry | ||
| Writing and Argument | ||
| Writing and Communities | ||
| Basic Business Communication | ||
| Technical Communication I | ||
| Technical Communication II | ||
| Oral Communication (ACE 2) | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Interpersonal Skills for Leadership | ||
| Communication in the 21st Century | ||
| Public Speaking | ||
| Communicating in Small Groups | ||
| Visual Communication | ||
| Interpersonal Communication | ||
| Business and Professional Communication | ||
| Technical Communication II | ||
| Sales Communication | ||
| Visual Communication with Animation | ||
| Environmental Communication Skills | ||
| Communication and Interpersonal Skills Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3 | |
| Any additional ACE 1 or ACE 2 course | ||
| Fundamentals of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences Communication | ||
| Communicating Science with Public Audiences | ||
| Presentation Strategies to Communicate Agricultural and Environmental Sciences | ||
| Agriculture, the Environment & Science in the Media | ||
| Principles of Mass Media | ||
| Basic Leadership and Leadership and Teamwork | ||
| Leadership and Problem Solving | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 9 | |
| Economics, Humanities and Social Sciences | ||
| Select one of the following (ACE 6): | 3 | |
| Introduction to the Economics of Agriculture | ||
| Economic Essentials and Issues | ||
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Select one course each from ACE outcomes 5, 7, and 9 | 9 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 45 | |
Specific Major Requirements
NOTE: Courses taken in the Water Science Core do not count toward the Water Science Options.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Water Science Core Courses | ||
| NRES 453 | Hydrology | 3 |
| NRES 218 | Introduction to Geospatial Technologies | 3-4 |
| or GEOG 217 | Principles of GIS | |
| NRES 220 & NRES 222 | Principles of Ecology and Ecology Laboratory | 4 |
| NRES 484 / GEOG 484 / GEOL 484 / PLAS 484 / WATS 484 | Water Resources Seminar | 1 |
| SOIL 153 / PLAS 153 | Soil Resources | 4 |
| WATS 281 / GEOG 281 / NRES 281 | Introduction to Water Science | 3 |
| WATS 354 / AGST 354 / SOIL 354 | Soil Conservation and Watershed Management | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Introduction to Geology | ||
| Dynamic Earth | ||
| Environmental Geology | ||
| Oceanography | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Weather and Climate | ||
| Climate Literacy in Natural Resources | ||
| Microclimate: The Biological Environment | ||
| Select one of the following (ACE 10): | 3-4 | |
| Environmental Studies Senior Thesis I and Environmental Studies Senior Thesis II | ||
| Honors: Environmental Studies Senior Thesis I and Honors: Environmental Studies Senior Thesis II | ||
| Senior Project I and Senior Project II 1 | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 31 | |
| Law, Policy and Management | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6 | |
| Resource and Environmental Economics I | ||
| Natural Resource and Environmental Law | ||
| Ethics in Agriculture and Natural Resources | ||
| Environmental Law | ||
| Water Law | ||
| Environmental Planning and Policy | ||
| Human Dimensions of Fish and Wildlife Management | ||
| Natural Resources Policy | ||
| Resource and Environmental Economics II | ||
| Water Quality Strategy | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6 | |
| Science and Technology | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6-8 | |
| Water & Earth Connections | ||
| Water in Geosciences | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling and Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling Laboratory | ||
| Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment | ||
| Soils, Water, and Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Fisheries Science and Fisheries Science Lab | ||
| Great Plains Field Pedology | ||
| Groundwater Geology | ||
| Soils, Environment and Water Quality | ||
| Chemistry of Natural Waters | ||
| Irrigation Systems Management | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Wetlands | ||
| Stream and River Ecology | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6 | |
| Core Requirements | ||
| Complete requirements | 45 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 45 | |
| Option Requirements and Electives | ||
| Complete requirements | 18-26 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 20 | |
| Free Electives | ||
| Select 3-15 hours | 3-15 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 120 | |
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The Senior Project fulfills the capstone requirement for water science students. The project is usually provided by private industry, government agencies, or nonprofit organizations. The senior thesis consists of research designed by the student along with the aid of faculty.
Tracks/Options/Concentrations/Emphases Requirements
Students must consult with an advisor to select an option prior to the beginning of their junior year.
NOTE: Courses taken in the Water Science Options do not count toward the Water Science Core.
Aquatic Ecology Option
This option is designed for students interested in lake, river, stream, or wetland ecology. Students are prepared for careers as research scientists or technicians with public agencies, private consulting firms, universities, and nonprofit organizations. Completion of this program provides excellent preparation for graduate study.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| LIFE 121 & LIFE 121L | Fundamentals of Biology II and Fundamentals of Biology II Laboratory | 4 |
| or PLAS 278 | Botany | |
| CHEM 110A & CHEM 110L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| WATS 459 / BIOS 459 / NRES 459 | Limnology | 4 |
| WATS 481 / BIOS 481 / NRES 481 | Stream and River Ecology | 4 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 16 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| Biogeochemical Cycles | ||
| Ecosystem Ecology | ||
| Aquatic Insects and Identification of Aquatic Insects | ||
| Lake and Reservoir Restoration | ||
| Wetlands | ||
| Ichthyology | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 3-4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 19-20 | |
Hydrology Option
This option trains students in the quantitative aspects of hydrologic sciences and is designed for those considering careers as professional hydrologists, research scientists, or consultants (among others). Completion of this program provides excellent preparation for graduate study.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| NRES 488 / GEOL 488 | Groundwater Geology | 3 |
| MATH 107 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PHYS 212 & PHYS 222 | General Physics II and General Physics Laboratory II | 5 |
| PLAS 472 / NRES 472 / SOIL 472 / WATS 472 | Applied Soil Physics | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 15 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3-4 | |
| General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | ||
| Surface Water Hydrology | ||
| Water in Geosciences | ||
| Calculus III | ||
| Differential Equations | ||
| Hydroclimatology | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 3-4 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18-19 | |
Water Law and Policy Option
Under this option, a student gains expertise in water issues pertaining to water quality, quantity, allocation, and planning. Careers in this rapidly emerging field of water include lobbyists, community planners, public and tribal liaisons, and policy makers, to name a few. This option also prepares students for continued education in water law.
NOTE: Students in the Water Law and Policy Option should select AECN 357 Natural Resource and Environmental Law and NRES 323 Natural Resources Policy under the Law Policy, and Management cluster of the Water Science Core.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| AECN 265 / NREE 265 | Resource and Environmental Economics I | 3 |
| AECN 456 / NREE 456 | Environmental Law | 3 |
| AECN 457 / NREE 457 / WATS 457 | Water Law | 3 |
| CRPL 470 | Environmental Planning and Policy | 3 |
| or CRPL 472 | Hazard Mitigation Planning | |
| NRES 444 / GRAS 444 / RNGE 444 / PLAS 444 | Ecosystem Monitoring and Assessment | 3 |
| Choose one course from the following: | 3 | |
| Principles of Macroeconomics | ||
| Principles of Microeconomics | ||
| Public Policy: Concepts and Processes | ||
| Conflict and Conflict Resolution | ||
| Environmental Sociology | ||
| Electives | 3 | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 21 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 21 | |
Water Quality Option
This option trains students with a desire to pursue a career examining water chemistry or quality within lakes, streams, rivers, and groundwater. This option is designed for students considering careers as water quality specialists, research scientists, laboratory and field technicians, water or environmental chemists, and many more.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| CHEM 110A & CHEM 110L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| CHEM 251 | Organic Chemistry I | 3-4 |
| or CHEM 221A & CHEM 221L | Elementary Quantitative Analysis and Elementary Quantitative Analysis Laboratory | |
| GEOL 418 / WATS 418 / NRES 419 | Chemistry of Natural Waters | 3 |
| NRES 475 / AGST 475 / CIVE 475 / CRPL 475 / GEOL 475 / PLAS 475 / POLS 475 / SOIL 475 / WATS 475 | Water Quality Strategy | 3 |
| SOIL 361 / GEOL 361 / NRES 361 / PLAS 361 / WATS 361 | Soils, Environment and Water Quality | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 16-17 | |
| Electives | ||
| Select two of the following: | 6-8 | |
| Microbiology | ||
| Surface Water Hydrology | ||
| Biogeochemical Cycles | ||
| Water in Geosciences | ||
| Soils, Water, and Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Wetlands | ||
| Lake and Reservoir Restoration | ||
| Groundwater Geology | ||
| Calculus II | ||
| General Physics II | ||
| Introduction to Statistics II | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Stream and River Ecology | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6-8 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 22-25 | |
Watershed Management Option
Watershed Management Option is the management of the water, land, and biological resources to achieve the desired outcome of the water quality and water quantity. This option is designed for students considering careers as water resource managers working for local, state, and federal agencies and private consultants.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Option Requirements | ||
| AECN 357 / NREE 357 | Natural Resource and Environmental Law | 3 |
| CHEM 110A & CHEM 110L | General Chemistry II and General Chemistry II Laboratory | 4 |
| NRES 488 / GEOL 488 | Groundwater Geology | 3 |
| WATS 361 / GEOL 361 / NRES 361 / PLAS 361 / SOIL 361 | Soils, Environment and Water Quality | 3 |
| WATS 452 / AGST 452 / PLAS 452 | Irrigation Systems Management | 3 |
| WATS 459 / BIOS 459 / NRES 459 | Limnology | 4 |
| or WATS 481 / BIOS 481 / NRES 481 | Stream and River Ecology | |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 20 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 20 | |
Requirements for Minor Offered by Department
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| WATS 281 / GEOG 281 / NRES 281 | Introduction to Water Science | 3 |
| WATS 354 / AGST 354 / SOIL 354 | Soil Conservation and Watershed Management | 3 |
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 6 | |
| Advanced Courses | ||
| Law, Policy and Management | ||
| Select at least one of the following: | 3-6 | |
| Resource and Environmental Economics I | ||
| Natural Resource and Environmental Law | ||
| Water Law | ||
| Environmental Planning and Policy | ||
| Natural Resources Policy | ||
| Resource and Environmental Economics II | ||
| Water Quality Strategy | ||
| Water Resources Seminar | ||
| Science and Technology | ||
| Select at least two of the following: | 6-9 | |
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling | ||
| Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling Laboratory | ||
| Soils, Water, and Environmental Chemistry | ||
| Hydrology | ||
| Fisheries Science and Fisheries Science Lab | ||
| Groundwater Geology | ||
| Soils, Environment and Water Quality | ||
| Microclimate: The Biological Environment | ||
| Chemistry of Natural Waters | ||
| Irrigation Systems Management | ||
| Limnology | ||
| Wetlands | ||
| Stream and River Ecology | ||
| Water Resources Seminar | ||
| Credit Hours Subtotal: | 12 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 18 | |
Prerequisites: High school chemistry or one semester college chemistry; one course in geology or physical geography or soil.
Description: Survey of the water science from the perspective of both natural and social sciences. Water budget, precipitation, evapotranspiration, runoff and stream flow, groundwater, water quality parameters, economics of water, water policy, water law and water politics.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Permission and advanced approval of plan or work.
Description: Student participation in water science applications. May include participation in water resource management, water measurement, water quality monitoring, water supply, water administration; research in laboratories, green houses and fields; or preparation of educational materials.
| Credit Hours: | 1-5 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 5 |
| Max credits per degree: | 12 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1-5
ACE:
Description: Watershed hydrology, soil erosion, erosion control, water management, and land surveying and mapping. Includes rainfall-runoff relationships; determination of watershed characteristics; terraces, waterways, vegetative filters, and residue management; ponds, wetlands, non-point source pollution control, and water conservation; profile and topographic surveying.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | FALL |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: PLAS/SOIL 153; MATH 102 or 103; two semesters chemistry (CHEM 105A and 105L, CHEM 106A and 106L, CHEM 109A and 109L, CHEM 110A and 110L) and WATS/GEOG/NRES 281
Description: Chemical and physical processes that influence the fate and transport of contaminants (inorganic, organic, microbial) in soil-water environments. Extent, fate, mitigation and impact of various sources of pollution. Remedial technologies used for environmental restoration of contaminated environments.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Junior standing, MATH 106 or equivalent, 5 hrs physics, major in any of the physical or biological sciences or engineering.
Description: Physical factors that create the biological environment. Radiation and energy balances of earth's surfaces, terrestrial and marine. Temperature, humidity, and wind regimes near the surface. Control of the physical environment through irrigation, windbreaks, frost protection, manipulation of light, and radiation. Applications to air pollution research. Instruments for measuring environmental conditions and remote sensing of the environment.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Principles of water chemistry and their use in precipitation, surface water, and groundwater studies. Groundwater applications used to determine the time and source of groundwater recharge, estimate groundwater residence time, identify aquifer mineralogy, examine the degree of mixing between waters of various sources and evaluate what types of biological and chemical processes have occurred during the water's journey through the aquifer system.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $25 |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
PLAS/SOIL 153 recommended.
Description: Irrigation management and the selection, evaluation, and improvement of irrigation systems. Includes soil-water measurement, crop water use, irrigation scheduling, irrigation efficiency, measurement of water flow, irrigation systems, groundwater and wells, pumping systems, applying chemicals with irrigation systems, and environmental and water resource considerations.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | FALL |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: AECN/NREE 357.
Description: Environmental impact review; public trust doctrine; endangered species; land use controls; wetlands regulation; surface and ground water rights; Indian and federal water rights; impact of water quality regulations on water allocation.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Description: Physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in fresh water. Organisms occurring in fresh water and their ecology; biological productivity of water and its causative factors; eutroplication and its effects.
| Credit Hours: | 4 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 4 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | SPRING |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $25 |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 10 Integrated Product |
Credit Hours:4
ACE:ACE 10 Integrated Product
Description: Principles of soil physics. Movement of water, air, heat, and solutes in soils. Water retention and movement, including infiltration and field water regime. Movement of chemicals in soils.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: MATH 104 and one course in statistics.
Description: Application of resource economics concepts and empirical tools to resource management problems. Public policy issues involving environmental quality, land and water management.
This course is a prerequisite for: AECN 868
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: CHEM 109A and 109L and CHEM 110A and 110L, or CHEM 105A and 105L and CHEM 106A and 106L; Junior or Senior Standing.
Offered even-numbered calendar years.
Description: Physical, chemical and biological processes that occur in wetlands; the hydrology and soils of wetland systems; organisms occurring in wetlands and their ecology wetland creation, delineation, management and ecotoxicology.
| Credit Hours: | 4 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 4 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $40 |
Credit Hours:4
ACE:
Description: Emphasis on applied soil physics. Discussion of theoretical principles followed by field and laboratory exercises and applications. Fluxes of water, solutes, air, and heat through the soil. Emphasis on water infiltration, water retention, other soil hydraulic properties. Components of soil water balance. Management of soil water.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Offered: | FALL |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: Senior standing.
Capstone course.
Description: Holistic approach to the selection and analysis of planning strategies for protecting water quality from nonpoint sources of contamination. Introduction to the use of methods of analyzing the impact of strategies on whole systems and subsystems; for selecting strategies; and for evaluating present strategies.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 10 Integrated Product |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:ACE 10 Integrated Product
Offered spring semester of even-numbered calendar years.
Description: Interaction between earth's climate and the hydrologic cycle. Energy and water fluxes at the land-atmosphere interface. Atmospheric moisture transport, precipitation, evaporation, snowmelt, and runoff. Impacts of climate variability and change on the hydrologic cycle.
| Credit Hours: | 3 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 3 |
| Max credits per degree: | 3 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:3
ACE:
Prerequisites: NRES 222 or equivalent
Description: Fundamental physical drivers operating in stream and river ecosystems and how those vary in space and time. Major classes of organisms associated with stream ecosystems and their functional roles. Fundamental controls on biotic diversity in stream and river ecosystems and its variance. Major aspects of stream ecosystem function including energy flow and nutrient cycling. Ecosystem services provided by stream and river ecosystems and causes and consequences of human impacts on streams and rivers. Underlying principles of bioassessment and current methods of stream restoration.
| Credit Hours: | 4 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 4 |
| Max credits per degree: | 4 |
| Grading Option: | Graded |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $20 |
Credit Hours:4
ACE:
Prerequisites: Junior or above standing
Description: Seminar on current water resources research and issues in Nebraska and the region.
| Credit Hours: | 1 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 1 |
| Max credits per degree: | 1 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1
ACE:
Prerequisites: 15 hours in water science or closely related areas.
Description: Individual or group projects in research, literature review, or extension of course work under the supervision and evaluation of a water science faculty member.
| Credit Hours: | 1-5 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 5 |
| Max credits per degree: | 12 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
Credit Hours:1-5
ACE:
Prerequisites: Senior standing
Description: Work as individual or as a team member to develop solutions to water resource problems. Problem involves multi-disciplinary features. Requires independent research, proposal preparation and presentation.
This course is a prerequisite for: WATS 498B
| Credit Hours: | 2 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 2 |
| Max credits per degree: | 2 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $30 |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 10 Integrated Product |
Credit Hours:2
ACE:ACE 10 Integrated Product
Prerequisites: WATS 498A
Description: Continuation of WATS 498A. Carry out proposal and present findings orally and in writing.
| Credit Hours: | 2 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 2 |
| Max credits per degree: | 2 |
| Grading Option: | Graded with Option |
| Course and Laboratory Fee: | $30 |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 10 Integrated Product |
Credit Hours:2
ACE:ACE 10 Integrated Product
Prerequisites: Admission to the University Honors Program and permission
AGRI 299H recommended
Description: Conduct a scholarly research project and write a University Honors Program or undergraduate thesis.
| Credit Hours: | 3-6 |
|---|---|
| Max credits per semester: | 6 |
| Max credits per degree: | 6 |
| Grading Option: | Graded |
| ACE Outcomes: | ACE 10 Integrated Product |
Credit Hours:3-6
ACE:ACE 10 Integrated Product
PLEASE NOTE
This document represents a sample 4-year plan for degree completion with this major. Actual course selection and sequence may vary and should be discussed individually with your college or department academic advisor. Advisors also can help you plan other experiences to enrich your undergraduate education such as internships, education abroad, undergraduate research, learning communities, and service learning and community-based learning.
Water Science - Aquatic Ecology
Critical - Performance Measure: 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
Water Science - Hydrology
Critical - Performance Measure: 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
Water Science - Watershed Management
Critical - Performance Measure: 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
Water Science - Water Law & Policy
Critical - Performance Measure: 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***
Water Science - Water Quality
Critical - Performance Measure: 2.00 GPA required for graduation.
- ***Total Credits Applying Toward 120 Total Hours***