Hydrogeology Minor (16 Credits, 9 unique to minor)

Interdisciplinary, quantitative science encompassing aspects of geology, physics, chemistry, and mathematics. Study of the occurrence, distribution, and transport of groundwater, its natural chemical evolution, and the behavior of contaminants in groundwater. Contemporary hydrogeologic problems range from water supply to land subsidence to groundwater protection and contamination.

• EES 336 Applied Hydrogeochemistry  
• EES 422 Groundwater Hydrology        
• MAT 244 Calculus II with Technology
• CHE 216 Organic Chemistry  or CHE 322 Physical Chemistry    

 Minor Electives (Choose 1)

• EES 436 Introduction to Contaminant Hydrogeology  
• EES 457 Instrumental Methods in Environmental Earth Science
• EES 460 Special Topics in Earth Science
• EES 480 Independent Study    
• EES 491 Internship

Understanding Hydrology

Hydrology is the study of the occurrence and distribution of water on the earth both above and below ground, and the chemical and biological processes that determine water quality. Hydrology is an interdisciplinary science encompassing aspects of geology, chemistry, physics, and biology.

Water resources is the study of water use, and water resources management maintains and protects water supplies. Water resources is an interdisciplinary field of study encompassing aspects of hydrology, political science, economics, health science, sociology, and history.

Contemporary water issues range from water supply to flood hazards to wetland protection/renovation to stream, lake, and groundwater pollution.

The Environmental Earth Science Department offers formal courses in hydrology and water resources, student research and internship opportunities, as well as, this minor in Hydrogeology.

Hydrology Field Laboratory

The Eastern Arboretum, an on-campus forested/wetland area, provides a natural field laboratory that is readily accessible for hydrologic investigations. The Arboretum is located in a stream valley and encompasses a small perennial stream and pond. The arboretum is instrumented with 11 water-table wells-six wells are located along a transect across the stream valley and five wells are located around the pond.

Research/Internship Opportunities and the Annual Hydrogeology Award

Additional research sites are located around the state. Students conducting independent research are encouraged to present their results at regional conferences as well as the Eastern Student Research Conference in Arts and Sciences. External internships and cooperative learning experiences are available through environmental consulting firms, environmental laboratories, the CT Department of Environmental Protection, regional offices of the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and non-governmental organizations. Outstanding hydrology students are eligible to receive the Hydrogeology Award.

Laboratory Facilities

The Hydrology/Water Resources Program relies on three laboratory facilities in addition to field sites.

• The Physical Hydrology Laboratory is equipped for determining the physical characteristics of geologic materials, such as particle size distribution, permeability, and resistivity.
• The Hydrogeochemistry Laboratory is equipped for determining inorganic and microbiological constituents in water samples collected from field sites.
• The EES Computer Laboratory has state-of-the-art software for interpreting hydrologic data and for computer modeling of hydrologic systems.