Course Number

Course Title

Description and prerequisites

Semester Taught

Credits

NR 2220   

General Ecology

Study of the interrelationships among organisms, humans, and their environments, addressing where and how organisms live.  Adaption, population growth, species interactions, biodiversity, and ecosystem function are explored for a wide variety of organisms and ecosystems.  Study of the interrelationships among organisms, humans, and their environments.

Fall and Spring

3

WATS 1020

Watershed Sciences Professional Orientation

Introduction and orientation to natural resource/ environmental disciplines and related professional careers for Watershed Sciences majors. Discussion of education, curricula, faculty, professional societies, and employment opportunities.

Fall

1

WATS 1200

Biodiversity: Its Conservation and Future

Today, species extinctions are occurring at an unprecedented rate. People in developed countries are concerned with this loss. Solving this problem requires knowledge of what determines biodiversity, how it is being threatened, and how its loss can be countered.

Spring

3

WATS 2250

Introductory Internship/Co-op

Introductory-level educational experience in internship/cooperative education position approved by department.

Fall, Spring and Summer

1-3

WATS 3000

Oceanography

Examines fundamental interrelationships between physical environment of the oceans and the life forms they support. Suitable for non-biologists.

Spring

3

WATS 3100

Fish Diversity and Conservation

Systematics, physiology, ecology, evolution and conservation of major groups of marine and freshwater fishes. Stresses functional morphology, physiological ecology, and community interactions explaining fish abundance and distribution.

Fall

3

WATS 3110

Fish Diversity Laboratory

Focuses on field collection, identification, and habitat relationships of freshwater fishes in North America. 

Fall

1

WATS 3600

Geomorphology

Geomorphic processes, origin of landforms and surficial deposits. Emphasizes fluvial and hillslope landscape elements, and surficial geologic mapping. Three one-hour lectures and one three-hour lab per week.

Fall

4

WATS 3700

Fundamentals of Watershed Science

Study of water movement, hillslope processes, and nutrient movement in catchments, and its relevance to the properties, land use and management of watershed as natural resource units.

Spring

3

WATS 3820

Climate Change

Emphasizes physical basis of climate (climate dynamics) as well as the mechanisms and processes for its fluctuations on sub-seasonal to interannual time scales (climate variations), and on regional to hemispheric/global time scales. 

Spring

3

WATS 4250

Advanced Internship/Co-op

Internship/cooperative education work experience; increased complexity to help student gain a more professional level of experience.

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-9

WATS 4490

Small Watershed Hydrology

Detailed exploration of concepts of hydrologic processes in small, wildland watersheds. Concentrates on recent research findings concerning examining key hydrological processes. Particular attention paid to study of partitioning of water in the hydrologic cycle, sources for runoff generation, snow and snowmelt, and erosion. Features process modeling and parameter estimation techniques as related to wildland systems.

Fall

(taught alternate years)

4

WATS 4500 

Limnology: Ecology of Inland Waters

Ecosystem analysis of physical, chemical, and biological interactions in lakes and streams. Application of these concepts for managing aquatic system. 

Spring

3

WATS 4510

Aquatic Ecology Practicum

Integration of limnological theory and methods of conducting field and laboratory analyses of physical, chemical, and biological parameters. Students will design and conduct their own research project within the framework of a general water quality or fishery issue addressed by the class. Development of analytical, statistical, and writing skills.

Field trips required.

Fall

3

WATS 4530

Water Quality and Pollution

Reviews biological and social problems caused by point and nonpoint source water pollution; toxicology; abiotoc and biotic water quality parameters; and use criteria of the Clean Water Act. Graduate level class will require additional readings of the peer-reviewed literature and an additional Each graduate student will be responsible for making a presentation at the beginning of class and leading the discussion.

Fall

3

WATS 4650

Principles in Fishery Management

Emphasizes management of fish populations within context of community and ecosystem dynamics. Stresses use of simulation models to assess effects of growth, recruitment, and mortality on age-structured populations.

Spring

3

WATS 4750

Fundamentals of Remote Sensing

Develops the scientific principles behind remote sensing. Examines the basic physics of electromagnetic radiation and the interactions of radiations with the surface and the atmosphere.

Fall

3

WATS 4930

Geographic Information Systems

Examines structure and operation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Explores design, theory and implementation of GIS software, digitizing, fundamentals of vector and raster GIS processing, georeferencing, map accuracy, and site-location.

Fall

4

WATS 4950

Special Topics

Individual study and research upon selected fisheries and wildlife problems.

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-3

WATS 4960

Directed Readings

Provides one-on-one interaction between student and instructor.

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-3

WATS 4970

Undergraduate Research

Individual or team research.

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-3

WATS 4980

Watershed Sciences Departmental Seminar

Exposes student to new developments in research and management in the fields of watershed sciences. Features participation by students, faculty, and guest lecturers. Graduate students should register for only one semester each year, but attend all year. Undergraduate students are only required to register once. Graduate students will participate in an additional reading and discussion group for the seminars. Graded Pass/Fail only.

Fall, Spring

1

WATS 5150

Fluvial Geomorphology

Focuses on physical processes in streams that control their shape, plan form, slope, bed material, and distribution of channel bars. Emphasizes field analysis of these topics, and application of geomorphology to aquatic ecology and environment restoration.

Fall

4

WATS 5170

Fluvial Geomorphology Lab

Field analysis focuses on physical processes in streams which control their shape, plan form, slope, bed material, and distribution of channel bars. Application of geomorphology to aquatic ecology and environmental restoration.

Fall

2

WATS 5200

Fish Habitat Relationships in Managed Forests

Examines biological and social factors influencing aquatic ecosystems and fish habitats within the context of forest management. Analyzes ecological relationships of fish habitats within forest ecosystem, and how these are influenced by forest management practices. Provides examples of forest habitat issues in major regions of North America, illustrating that both biological and social factors must be considered in developing management strategies and programs.

Spring

3

WATS 5250 (d6250)

Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces

Basic principles of radiation and remote sensing. Techniques for ground-based measurements of reflected and emitted radiation, as well as ancillary data collection to support airborne and satellite remote sensing studies in agriculture, geography, and hydrology.

Spring

4

WATS 5330 (d6330)

Large River Management

Focuses on constituencies participating in modern managements of large river basins, including water developers, irrigators, municipalities, power consumers, recreationists, environmentalists, and scientists. Primary samples drawn from Colorado, Columbia, Rio Grande, and Missouri river basins.

Spring

3

*** WATS 5490 (d4490)

Small Watershed Hydrology

Detailed exploration of concepts of hydrologic processes in small, wildland watersheds. Concentrates on recent research findings concerning examining key hydrological processes. Particular attention paid to study of partitioning of water in the hydrologic cycle, sources for runoff generation, snow and snowmelt, and erosion. Features process modeling and parameter estimation techniques as related to wildland systems. Additional oral and written assignments required written for graduate students.

Fall

4

WATS 5550

Freshwater Invertebrates

Ecology, collection, and systematics of freshwater aquatic invertebrates. Focuses on insects, but also covers crustaceans, molluscs, and annelids. Several weekend field trips and a collection are required.

Spring

3

* WATS 5600

Surface Hydrologic Field Methods

Hydrologic concepts and terminology taught through collection, analysis, and interpretation of hydrologic data. Emphasizes principles and practice of several hydrologic measurments and water sampling in natural and manmade environments.

Spring

(taught alternate years)

3

WATS 5640 (d7640)

Riparian Ecology and Management

Explores structure and function of riparian ecosystems and management options for maintaining sustainable ecological function.

Spring

3

WATS 5660

Watershed and Stream Restoration

Overview of the current theory and practice of watershed and streams. Emphasizes field visits with restoration projects and specialists. 

Currently taught as a summer short course

2 and 3 credits sections

WATS 5670

Watershed and Stream Restoration Practicum

Capstone experience. Development of a restoration plan for a site, involving site planning and design.

Spring

2

* WATS 5680 (d6680)

Paleoclimatology

Covers climate through the past four billion years of geologic time. Explores driving forces behind climate changes. Examines data and methods used in paleoclimate research. Includes discussion of literature and stresses local paleoclimate records. Three lectures per week, along with field trips.

Spring

(taught alternate years)

3

WATS 5760 (d6760)

Remote Sensing: Modeling and Analysis

Advanced techniques in the analysis in the analysis of the earth's surface using remotely-sensed imagery and data in a digital format. Projects employ and/or develop research models.

Spring

3

WATS 5930 (6930)

Geographic Information Analysis

Techniques of geographic information system, data structures, data input and output, and data manipulation and analysis.

Spring

4

** WATS 6120 (d7120)

Aquatic Production Biology

Reviews current literature on bacterial, algal, invertebrate, and fish production in lakes, rivers, and the sea. Particular emphasis is placed on whole-ecosystem productivity studies.

Spring

2

WATS 6150 (d5150)

Fluvial Geomorphology

Focuses on physical processes in streams that control their shape, plan form, slope bed material, and distribution of channel bars. Emphasizes field analysis of these topics and application of geomorphology to aquatic ecology and environmental restoration.

Fall

4

** WATS 6160 (d6150)

Hillslope and Landscape Geomorphology

Includes basics of hillslope weathering, transport and hydrologic processes. Surveys classic and recent literature on hill-slope scale and land-scape scale geomorphic research. Three lectures and several Saturday field trips. 

Spring

3

WATS 6170 (d5170)

Fluvial Geomorphology Lab

Field analysis focuses on physical processes in streams which control their shape, plan form, slope, bed material, and distribution of channel bars. Application of geomorphology to aquatic ecology and environmental restoration. 

Fall

2

*** WATS 6200

Watershed Analysis

Watershed analysis is a procedure used to characterize the human, aquatic, riparian, and upland features, conditions, processes and interactions within a watershed. It is ecosystem analysis at the watershed level and provides a systematic way to understand and organize system information for the purpose of understanding the consequences of management actions before implementation.

Spring - Alternate years

2

**WATS 6230 (d7230)

Fish Ecology

Reviews current literature on physiological, behavioral, population and community ecology of fishes. Particular emphasis placed on current literature relevant to management of sport and endangered fresh water species. 

Spring

2

WATS 6240

Graduate Internship/Co-op

Graduate-level educational experience in internship/cooperative education position approved by department.

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-9

WATS 6250 (d5250)

Remote Sensing of Land Surfaces

Basic principles of radiation and remote sensing. Techniques for ground-based measurements of reflected and emitted radiation, as well as ancillary data collection to support airborne and satellite remote sensing studies in agriculture, geography, and hydrology. 

Spring

4

WATS 6330 (d5330)

Large River Management

Focuses on the scientific basis of river management and the constituencies participating in modern management of large rivers, including water developers, irrigators, municipalities, power consumers, recreationists, environmentalists, and scientists. Primary examples drawn from Colorado, Columbia, Rio Grande, and Missouri river basins.

Spring

3

**WATS 6520

Applied Hydraulics

Basic fluid mechanics applied to wildland watershed systems and directed at non-engineering students. Explores nature of fluid state, fluid motion, and steady uniform and varied flow in open channels, under both subcritical and supercritical conditions. Surveys concepts of boundary layers, turbulence, convection, dispersal, and wave formation in unsteady flows. Emphasizes problem formulation and solving. 

Spring

3

WATS 6530 (d4530)

Water Quality and Pollution

Reviews biological and social problems caused by point and nonpoint source water pollution; toxicology; abiotic and biotic water quality parameters; and use of Clean Water Act. Graduate level class will require additional readings of the peer-reviewed literature and an additional class-meeting to have in-depth discussions of those readings. Each graduate student will be responsible for making a presentation at the beginning of class, and leading the discussion.  

Fall

3

WATS 6550

Assessment of Abundance and Related Parameters for Biological Populations

Students learn to estimate population abundance and associated error bounds using mark-recapture, area-swept, declining catch, line-transect, and other techniques. Emphasizes sampling design considerations to match objectives of an assessment to appropriate/feasible level of accuracy and precision.

Spring

3

WATS 6600 (d5600)

Surface Hydrologic Field Methods  

Study of physical elements of the water cycle, surface hydrological processes, and watershed responses. Explores basic hydrologic concepts and terminology, as well as collection, analysis, and presentation of hydrologic data. Includes field laboratory.

Spring

3

WATS 6650 (d4650)

Principles of Fishery Management

Emphasizes management of fish populations within context of community and ecosystem dynamics. Stresses use of simulation models to assess effects of growth, recruitment, and mortality on age-structured populations.

Spring

3

* WATS 6680 (d5680)

Paleoclimatology

Covers climate through the past four billion years of geologic time. Explores driving forces behind climate changes. Examines data and methods used in paleoclimate research. Includes discussion of literature and stresses local paleoclimate records. Three lectures per week along with field trips. 

Spring

3

WATS 6740 (d4750)

Fundamentals of Remote Sensing

Develops the scientific principles behind remote sensing. Examines the basic physics of electromagnetic radiation and the interactions of radiations with the surface and the atmosphere.

Fall

3

* WATS 6760 (d5760)

Remote Sensing: Modeling and Analysis

Advanced techniques in the analysis of earth's surface using remotely sensed imagery and data in a digital format. Projects employ and/or develop research models.  

Spring,

3

# WATS 6800 (d4980, 7800)

Watershed Sciences Departmental Seminar

Exposes student to new developments in research and management in the fields of watershed sciences. Features participation by students, faculty, and guest lecturers. Graduate students should register for only one semester each year, but attend all year. Undergraduate students are only required to register once. Graduate students will participate in an additional reading and discussion group for the seminars. Graded Pass/Fail only.

Fall, Spring

1

WATS 6820

Stream Ecology

Explores structure, function , and dynamics of flowing water ecosystems. 

Fall

3

# WATS 6870

Ecology Seminar

The Ecology Center schedules regular seminars throughout the school year with ecological scientists from other institutions participating. Ecology majors are required to attend a minimum of 10 such lectures. Students should register for fall semester, but attend through spring semester.

Fall, Spring

1

# WATS 6900

Graduate Special Topics

Offers credit for special assignments, reading, and seminars beyond regularly scheduled courses.

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-6

# WATS 6910

Directed Study

Offers credit for special assignments, reading, and seminars beyond regularly scheduled courses.

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-6

WATS 6920 (d4930)

Geographic Information Systems

Examines structure and operation of Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Explores design, theory and implementation of GIS software, digitizing, fundamentals of vector and raster GIS processing, georeferencing, map accuracy, and site-location.

Fall

4

WATS 6930 (5930)

Geographic Information Analysis

Techniques of geographic information systems, data structures, data input and output, and data manipulation and analysis.

Spring

4

WATS 6940

Snow Hydrology

Focuses on snow science, including atmostpheric formation, precipitation, distribution on the landscape, metamorphosis prior to melt, and snow pack melt dynamics. Also covers related issues, such as snow melt modeling, remote sensing, water supply, and biogeochemical cycling. 

Spring

3

WATS 6960 (6300)

Graduate General Ecology

General concepts, history, and issues in all major areas of the science of ecology including: environmental biophysics; and physiological, behavioral, evolutionary, community, ecosystem, and applied ecology in both terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Fall

5

# WATS 6970

Thesis Research

Offers credit for field or laboratory research at master's level.

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-12

# WATS 6990

Continuing Graduate Advisement

Offers credit for students currently enrolled in a master's program, who are not currently taking classes. Students may be conducting research or waiting for final approval from School of Graduate Studies.  

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-9

* WATS 7120 (d6120)

Riparian Ecology and Management

Reviews current literature on bacterial, algal, invertebrate, and fish production in lakes, rivers, and the sea. Particular emphasis is placed on whole-ecosystem productivity studies.

Spring

2

WATS 7230 (d6230)

Fish Ecology

Reviews current literature on physiological, behavioral, population and community ecology of fishes. Particular emphasis placed on current literature relevant to management of sport and endangered fresh water species.

Spring

2

WATS 7640 (d5640)

Riparian Ecology and Management

Explores structure and function of riparian ecosystems and management options for maintaining sustainable ecological function. 

Spring

3

* WATS 7750 (d5750)

Advanced Conservation Biology

Examines cases and consequences of population and species declines, including activities such as habitat fragmentation and introduction of exotic species, as well as natural causes due to genetics and demography.

Spring

3

# WATS 7800 (d6800)

Watershed Sciences Departmental Seminar

Exposes student to new developments in research and management in the fields of watershed sciences. Features participation by students, faculty, and guest lecturers. Graduate students should register for only one semester each year, but attend all year. Undergraduate students are only required to register once. Graduate students will participate in an additional reading and discussion group for the seminars. Graded Pass/Fail only.

Fall, Spring

1

WATS 7820 (d 6820)

Population Ecology

Explores structure, function , and dynamics of flowing water ecosystems. 

Fall

3

# WATS 7900

Graduate Special Topics

Offers credit for special assignments, reading, and seminars beyond regularly scheduled courses.

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-6

WATS 7910

Directed Study

Offers credit for special assignments, reading, and seminars beyond regularly scheduled courses.

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-12

WATS 7970

Dissertation Research

Offers credit for field or laboratory research at doctoral level.

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-12

WATS 7990

Continuing Graduate Advisement

Offers credit for students currently enrolled in a doctoral program, who are not currently taking classes. Students may be conducting research or waiting for final approval from School of Graduate Studies.

Fall, Spring, Summer

1-9