Geography - GEOG 217

Course Description

This course is a survey of water resources which includes a study of the occurrence, movement, and behavior of water in the hydrologic cycle. Discussions on the ways in which these resources can be contaminated and remediated will be held. The course includes a study of watershed management, which is a holistic, integrated method of managing all water resources located within a naturally occurring watershed. Data and hydrologic studies completed for the Rouge River Watershed provide a model for watershed management. The course offers demonstrations of hydrologic computer models and limited field experience.

Prerequisites

(A requirement that must be completed before taking this course.)

Course Competencies

Upon successful completion of the course, the student should be able to:

• Explain the unique properties of water, including thermal properties, viscosity, surface tension, capillarity, and electrical properties.
• Explain how humans have modified the components of the hydrologic cycle.
• Explain the physical connection between surface water and groundwater.
• Explain basic concepts of hydrogeology and the hydrogeologic profile.
• Complete a habitat assessment for a stream.
• Examine sources of contamination for both surface water and groundwater.
• Conduct water quality tests, including pH, nitrates, coliform, phosphates, temperature, and turbidity, for a local stream.
• Examine the value of water resources, and the need for both protection and conservation of these resources.
• Apply principles of watershed management analysis to the study of the Rouge River Watershed.
• Explain processes of fluvial erosion, transportation, and deposition.

Course Schedule

Currently no sections of this class are being offered.