How to design your academic path
September 28, 2018
Let us help you discover all the ways you can design your own academic path at CSU.
Watershed Science and Sustainability Major
Explore your passion for preserving the outdoors through the most-important resource on earth.
At a glance
Water impacts every aspect of life from environmental stability to global political issues. The Watershed Science major is designed to give you a broad, scientific foundation in the study of water, how it moves across the land, and how different human activities affect water. You’ll come out with an array of job possibilities in the public and private sector, as well as skills to help preserve and protect earth’s most-important resource. The program capitalizes on its proximity to the Rocky Mountains, High Plains, and basins of Colorado to give students unique educational opportunities in outdoor laboratories.
| Degree type | Bachelor of Science | |||
| Format | On campus | |||
| Part of | Warner College of Natural Resources | |||
| Competitive major? | No | |||
| Accelerated option? | No |
Not sure if this is the right major for you?
See all of them!
See all of them!
Concentrations
A concentration allows you to specialize in a certain area within your major, offering a depth of information and hands-on experiences that you may not otherwise get. Many students in this major will concentrate in one area to work in a specific field after college, as well as find mentors and internships before they even graduate.
Watershed Data
You’ll focus on fusing data science skills and techniques with deep knowledge of the physical, chemical, social, and biological factors that affect the quantity and quality of water as it moves through ecosystems. You’ll learn through field, laboratory, and classroom research – in both watershed and data science courses, and graduate with a Minor in Applied Data Science in addition to your major.
Watershed Science
You’ll focus on the physical, chemical, social, and biological factors that affect the quantity, quality, and flux of water through field, laboratory, and classroom research and study. You’ll begin with core courses that build a strong foundation in the physical and natural sciences, then move on to coursework in land use and snow hydrology, water quality, and watershed problem analysis.
Watershed Sustainability
You’ll explore on how human systems interact with the physical, chemical, and biological processes in watersheds. You’ll combine foundational science courses with a classes in sociology and economics, then move on to classes on water resources, water economics, and sustainability.
Some Career Options
Graduating with your Watershed Science and Sustainability degree will ensure you have both foundational and specialized science knowledge that can carry you into fields in business, preservation and restoration, international water systems, government consulting, and more.
- Watershed Scientist
- Hydrologist
- Water Quality Analyst
- Watershed Manager
- Environmental Consultant
- Watershed Use Specialist
- Water Conservation Specialist
Related CSU graduate programs
Tour and info session options
Tours may be available as part of Admissions tours and info sessions, offered throughout the year.
For additional opportunities, please reach out to:
Carmyn Ginnetti at carmyn.ginnetti@colostate.edu
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Explore even more
Want a more in-depth look at this major? Take a look at the program website to learn more.