The course investigates ancient and modern water supplies, studies surface and underground watersheds, evaluates risks to water quantity, quality and distribution systems, reviews water law and regulation, and reflects on the role of water resources in war and terror, food and transport, scenery and beauty.

Study of geomorphic processes, relating topographic features to underlying rocks and structures and to processes of erosion, deposition, and earth movements. Lectures and laboratory supplemented by short field trips and field research. A day-long field trip over the weekend may be required.

Hydrologic problems are analyzed by organizing information into a water budget and then quantifying the variables in the water budget equation. Common hydrologic variables include precipitation, evaporation, transpiration, stream flow, infiltration and groundwater. Groundwater and surface water dynamics are taught. Lectures supplemented by field work and lab measurements.