Always complicated, the issue of water is becoming even more complex and controversial as world population increases and climate changes. The water resources concentration gives you the problem-solving skills needed in this increasingly important field. You’ll learn about biological and physical aspects of water in the environment through courses including wetland ecology and management, stream ecology, groundwater-flow and water-quality modeling, and fisheries management.
You’ll develop a wide range of skills, including modeling, pollution prevention, watershed assessment, wetland restoration, and wastewater treatment. You’ll add training in environmental management and policy to ensure that you can translate your science to the public and policymakers. Graduate well-positioned for careers with government, nonprofit organizations, consulting firms, industry-based departments of environmental management at international or national levels, or fast-growing and often innovative state and municipal organizations.
Water Resources
14
MSES STUDENTS FOCUSED ON WATER RESOURCES, FALL '18
1:3
FACULTY: STUDENT RATIO
90.4%
SPEA PLACEMENT RATE
A strong skill base
You'll begin by mastering the fundamentals reflected in the MSES program's core competencies. Your Environmental Science core courses (15 credit hours) will give you well-developed knowledge of environmental science and management, along with strong analytical skills. Along with the core sciences classes all MSES students are required to take two courses (6 credit hours) of Economics, Policy and Law as well as one course (3 credit hours) of Tool Skills. These 24 credit hours will ensure that you have well developed science background, along with the tools and skills to apply that knowledge in the real world.
Add in-depth knowledge and detail
The water resources concentration emphasizes scientific principles of water quantity and quality. Courses provide information and problem-solving skills using biological, chemical, and physical descriptions of water in the environment. MSES students choosing the Water Resources concentration are required to take three course (9 credit hours) from the Water Resource core (at least one course in both the Physical and Chemical Aspects of Water and in the Ecological Aspects of Water area) and three course (9 credit hours) from Water Resources Electives.
- Required courses
Water Resources Core (9 credit hours)
Physical and Chemical Aspects of Water (at least one course)- Water Quality Modeling (E 502)
- Aquatic Chemistry (E 539)
- Groundwater Flow Modeling (E 554)
- Watershed Hydrology (E 555)
- Physical Hydrology (GEOG-G 551)*
- Methods in Analytical Geochemistry (GEOL-G 544)*
- Surface water Hydrology (GEOL-G 550)*
*Please work with an advisor when taking courses outside of SPEA.
Ecological Aspects of Waters (at least one course)- Wetlands Ecology and Management (E 540)
- Subsurface Microbiology and Bioremediation (E 544)
- Stream Ecology (E 546)
- Limnology (E 556)
- Personalize your program
- Water Resources Electives (9 credit hours)
- Fisheries & Wildlife Management (E 460)
- Fisheries & Wildlife Management Laboratory (E 461)
- Restoration Ecology (E 534)
- Lake and Watershed Management (E 545)
- BMP Design for Healthy Urban Watersheds (E 555)
- Conservation Biology (E 557)
- Climate-Change Impacts on Natural Resources (E 591 / R 591)
- Add a dual concentration
Combining your MSES degree with the MPA can offer you unique advantages in pursuing a particular career. Integrating science and policy for better leadership. Our faculty will work to accommodate your specialized professional interests and help you design a program that is best or you.
Experiential learning that makes an impact
The O’Neill MSES program offers far more than traditional lectures and lessons. You'll benefit from experiential leaning, typically through an approved internship. What's more, your concentration's course work will culminate in a project-oriented course—an O’Neill Capstone—that lets you apply the knowledge you gained throughout the program, gaining practical career experience before you graduate.
Current and past placements and internships
O’Neill’s dedicated Career Hub will assist you as you seek an internship or post-graduate employment, and our alumni community is an excellent lead source.
- Some of O’Neill’s current and past placements and internships:
- Center for Biological Diversity
- National Oceanic Administration
- That Nature Conservancy
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- Union of Concerned Scientist
- Ruby Canyon Engineering
- Tennessee Valley Authority
- Indiana DNR
- North Carolina coastal Federation
- Wood River Land Trust
Check out the CDO’s Explore Careers & Outcome page.
Gain real-world experience while still in school
You can join the O’Neill Environmental Management & Sustainable Development Association, one of many professional student organizations that offer networking and current information on events in the industry.
Learn from faculty with expertise and experience in water resources
 Ashley Clark |
afbowers@indiana.edu |
|
 Kimberly A. Novick |
knovick@indiana.edu |
|
 Flynn Picardal |
picardal@indiana.edu |
|
 Todd V. Royer |
troyer@indiana.edu |
|
 Adam S. Ward |
adamward@indiana.edu |
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