**The Watershed Science Program at CSU will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary in March 2008. Read more . . . 

The management, use, and stewardship of fresh water resources is an increasingly important and complex challenge in Colorado and worldwide. Watershed Science is the interdisciplinary study of the physical, chemical, and biological factors that affect the quantity, quality, and flux of water. Such hydrologic changes have important implications for other natural resources that depend on water.

The Watershed Science Program at Colorado State University has long been recognized as one of the premier programs in the world. 

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Major in Watershed Science: Course Requirements...checksheet

It can easily be argued that water is our most important natural resource. Watershed Science is the interdisciplinary study of the natural processes of human activities that affect water resources on a watershed scale. The program requires a solid grounding in the physical and natural sciences before undertaking upper-division courses in topics such as land-use hydrology, land use and water quality, and watershed analysis. Upper-level undergraduates are generally able to obtain summer jobs in watershed science. Many also obtain work-study or part-time positions while they complete their degrees.

Upon graduation students will demonstrate:

• Understanding of the key concepts in watershed science, a familiarity and understanding of commonly used models, and an ability to analyze complex data. Performance standards include the following
  • knowledge and ability to collect, analyze and evaluate meteroligical, hydrological and water quality data
  • knowledge of surface water hydrology, including the ability to quanitfy a design storm, development of a water balance, and use of runoff prediction tools
  • knowledge of erosion processes and sediment pond design
  • knowledge and use of conceptual, empirical, and physically-based models
  • knowledge of water quality monitoring programs to assess influences of land use activities
• Ability to prepare comprehensive and technical reports and orally present the results of their work. Students will develop the following skills: 1) organization of a presentation; 2) ability to clearly communicate technical content; 3) use of quality graphics and technology; 4) confidence and delivery in the oral presentation.

Minor in Watershed Science: Course Requirements...checksheet

The Watershed Science minor is open to all majors at Colorado State. While it has sufficient flexibility to be applied to a variety of subject areas, the minor is especially tailored to those majors within the College of Natural Resources. The minor provides a basic understanding of the discipline and is complementary to a wide variety of other majors such as geology, forestry, range, soils, fishery and wildlife, biology, and engineering. The minor in Watershed Science provides an opportunity to obtain a background in watershed science to complement other majors.

Career Opportunities

Completion of the undergraduate degree qualifies the student for the federal hydrologist job series as well as a wide variety of careers in hydrology, watershed, and water resources management. Employment opportunities include consulting firms, governmental bodies at the local, regional and national levels, internatinoal development and resource management agencies, and private industry.

The Watershed Science major is broad-based, allowing students to obtain a sound academic and practical basis for professional careers. The professional orientation of the major is reflected in the success of our graduates in obtaining positions in resources industries, environmental consulting firms, government resource management, and regulatory agencies, including the Forest Service, Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Many students use this academic preparation to enter graduate school or other professional degree programs.

Examples of possible careers include, but are not limited to: watershed scientist, hydrologist, environmental consultant, water quality analyst, watershed manager, watershed analyst, land use specialist, water conservation specialist and more.

Warner College of Natural Resources maintains a Career Office available to students.