Bachelor of Science in Water Science (STEM) Shorelight Group - University of Wisconsin-Green Bay, USA

The UW-Green Bay Water Science program is an integrated program designed to provide students with the tools necessary to solve the water related challenges of today and tomorrow. Students may complete program requirements in four years. The curriculum is interdisciplinary, with a core set of courses drawn from geoscience, chemistry, environmental science, biology, physics, math and statistics, and public and environmental affairs. In addition, a diverse set of elective courses allow students to focus on subdisciplines in water science that can meet their career needs and interests. The major requirements are comprised of 71 credits, which include 33 credits of supporting courses, 22 credits of upper level core courses, and 16 credits of upper level electives. The comprehensive major has a principal focus on water’s role in natural processes in Earth’s systems. These skills include a solid understanding of the chemistry, surface water hydrology, groundwater, and biology of freshwater systems. UW-Green Bay Water Science majors have opportunities to work as research assistants on faculty projects, develop internships, or to conduct their own independent projects. UW-Green Bay faculty members are very active in research on water and wastewater treatment, runoff pollution, stream hydrology, groundwater quantity and quality, limnology, and aquatic ecology.

Student Learning Outcomes and Program Objectives

• Students will be able to describe the role water plays in the lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, atmosphere, and biosphere, with emphasis on interactions between these reservoirs.
• Students will apply the scientific method to investigations of hydrologic processes, Earth systems, and interactions among the various physical and biological realms utilizing standard scientific field and laboratory methods.
• Students will demonstrate an understanding of the hydrology of streams and lake systems and the role water has in landscape?forming processes that act on the Earth's surface.
• Students will be able to describe the processes of and importance of groundwater flow and aquifer systems.
• Students will be able to compare chemical interactions that occur in various hydrologic settings and their importance to water resources, geological and biological systems, and water/wastewater treatment.
• Students will be able to describe the role water plays in atmospheric systems and the climate system.
• Students will be able to describe the interactions between water systems and ecosystems.
• Students will be able to describe the challenges of maintaining surface and ground water quality.
• Students will apply their knowledge base and research skills to current issues pertaining to water resources, management, and remediation, with emphasis on related economic, social, and public policy dimensions.
• Students will analyze, interpret, and report on laboratory and field findings using appropriate statistical techniques and computer applications.