Environmental Science BS - Hydrology

California State University - Chico

Hydrology is the science of water movement, composition, and distribution on earth. In our department, students learn the theoretical basis for the physical processes of precipitation, streamflow, evaporation, infiltration, subsurface flow, and hydrological storage within the context of the most current techniques and software used by practitioners. These processes govern water quantity and quality in creeks, soils, vegetation, and aquifers that are critical to sustainable water use in California and water-limited regions globally. Outdoor experiential learning is a central component to our courses on water resources management, field methods, and water quality. Hydrologists also integrate knowledge from ecology and advanced physics in ecohydrology and environmental fluid mechanics courses. Class projects have included feasibility studies for communities with limited water resources, inventories of water composition at Lassen Volcanic National Park, and performance assessments of green infrastructure for urban storm runoff remediation.