Watershed Studies

Be a changemaker in environmental conservation.

Watershed Studies Minor

Understanding the delicate balance between land, water and communities is key to a sustainable future. 体育买球’s watershed studies minor empowers you to face this crucial challenge with actionable solutions to be a changemaker in environmental conservation.

Explore diverse topics like water studies, restoration ecology, policy and practical field skills in this interdisciplinary program. Gain a deep understanding of watersheds and their complex challenges in collaborative learning and hands-on experiences. Work with theFreshwater Research Institute (FRI)andCenter for Environmental Education and Research (CEER)at on-campus restoration sites to translate theory into practice through real-world projects.

Learn to bridge the gap between science, policy and practical skills, equipping you with a versatile toolkit for tackling pressing environmental issues. Nestled within the Chesapeake Bay watershed, this program offers unparalleled access to experiential learning opportunities and internships as a launchpad for impactful careers in watershed conservation and restoration.

Experience science in the field

Hands-On Learning and Research

体育买球 University’s CEER Field Station is an 87-acre living lab where students bring ideas to life. Through fieldwork and lab studies, you’ll explore geophysics, monitor water tables and work with solar arrays and climate stations. These experiences give you the skills and knowledge to tackle real-world challenges in your career and beyond.

Explore the Ceer field Station

Aerial view of a rural landscape featuring a large red barn with a white roof, surrounded by lush green fields. A paved road runs alongside the barn. In the background, a field with rows of solar panels is visible. Trees and greenery are scattered throughout.

100%

of watershed studies students gain professional experience through internships

Top 500

most environmentally responsible U.S. colleges

The Princeton Review

100%

of students receive financial aid through academic merit scholarships and need-based grants

97%

体育买球 students study abroad

$1.2m

in recent National Science Foundation funding for scholarships, summer research funding and major instrumentation

Explore Your Studies

Program Resources

When you enroll at 体育买球, you’ll be paired with an advisor and application tool to guide you in your course planning and scheduling. The following is an excerpt from thecomplete course catalog. Enrolled students follow the requirements of the course catalog for the academic year in which they declare each major and/or minor and consult with their advisor(s).

Minor in Watershed Studies

Learning Goals

Possess in-depth knowledge for assessing and improving the health of watersheds.
Acquire skills applicable to watershed research, restoration, and management, such as fieldwork, grant writing, mapping, and project management.
Demonstrate an understanding of the interdisciplinary approach needed to achieve successful outcomes for watersheds.

The minor in watershed studies requires students to complete a minimum of 21 semester hours. Student must complete the following courses with a grade of C- or higher:

5 Required courses:

4 EENV-220 Water Resources
1 WTST-200 Watershed Studies Colloquium

4 Choose from:

4 COL-408 Aquatic Ecology and ECOL-409 Aquatic Ecology Laboratory
4 ECOL-560 Interdisciplinary Explorations in Ecology when the topic is Restoration Ecology
4 EENV-313 体育买球 River
4 ENST-301 Current Topics in Environmental Studies

4 Choose from:

4 ENST-335 Environmental Laws and Regulations
4 POLI-212 Introduction to Public Policy
4 POLI-215 Law and Politics
4 POLI-351 Public Administration
4 PPOL-352 Environmental Policy

4 Choose from:

4 ENGL-299 Professional & Civic Writing
4 EENV-360 Geographic Information Systems

4 Choose from:

4 MGMT-240 Principles of Management
4 POLI-355 Non-Profit Management

0-4 Internship

Students must complete an internship, which may or may not be taken for credit. WTST-400 is recommended but other internships may be considered. All internships require approval by the Program Coordinator.

Double-counting Restriction for Interdisciplinary Minors

Only 8 semester hours of this minor may be double counted toward the student’s major or another minor.

WTST 200

Watershed Studies Colloquium

This course provides students in the Watershed Studies minor with an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge of the discipline to the professional work environment. Prerequisites: Program coordinator’s approval, acceptance by the organization, completion of the Internship Student Learning Contract. Graded on a S/U basis. 0-4 SH.

WTST 400

Watershed Studies Internship

0-4

Students Study Fish to Detect Local Stream Health

Students interning with 体育买球’s Freshwater Research Institute work on exciting projects in the remote forests of northern Pennsylvania, like studying fish and aquatic insects to determine the health of small streams.

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