Mar 28, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2021-2022 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2021-2022 [Archived Catalog]

Hydrogeology


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Outcomes of the Undergraduate Curriculum

Students who successfully complete this program will be able to demonstrate:

  • knowledge of science (physics, chemistry, geology, biology) and mathematics (calculus) needed to understand natural systems at a fundamental level.
  • in-depth knowledge in one particular field of science (i.e. geology, biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, or computer science) that is sufficient to allow meaningful study and insight into problems affecting natural systems.
  • an appreciation for Earth Systems, in particular, knowledge of their interconnectedness and their natural and human-induced changes through time (Earth Systems include the oceans, atmosphere, solid Earth and sub-systems thereof).
  • an appreciation for and knowledge of the societal context of science and the far-reaching impact of solid-Earth issues in society.
  • an awareness of potential career paths for scientifically trained individuals in the solid-Earth sector.
  • scientific background knowledge needed to pursue a career in the solid-Earth sector or graduate studies in a related field.

The program shown below requires a total of 124 credit hours. The program leads to a B.S. in Hydrogeology.

First Year


Fall


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Second Year


Fall


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • CSCI XXXX  Computer Science Elective Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 2 below)

Spring


  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Third Year


The Arch Summer Semester*


*For students who have applied for and been granted an exception, please see your advisor for course exemptions. For listing of the exception process go to: http://info.rpi.edu/arch/students/#ExceptionProcess.

  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 8
  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Fall or Spring


  • Elective Credit Hours: 8
  • Biology Requirement Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 1 below)

Fourth Year


Fall


  • Free Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • Culminating Experience Credit Hours: 4
    (See footnote 3 below)
  • Electives Credit Hours: 8

Electives


A total of 30 credit hours of free electives is required. These electives should be designed to provide a depth of understanding in a subdiscipline of hydrogeology (e.g., geology, mathematics, chemistry, physics, biology, computer science, engineering, etc.). A limited list of suggested courses for free electives includes the following:

Footnotes


  1. Biology Requirement (choose one):
    • BIOL 1010 or an approved alternate life sciences course.
    • ERTH 2160 - Introduction to Geobiology (permission required)
  2. CSCI 4350 Data Science (3 credits) recommended. It is highly recommended that students take this course during the fall term of the second year.
  3. The culminating experience will be associated with earning 4 academic credits in a URP project, Independent Study, or Out of Classroom Experience (e.g., as a co-op or intern).
  4. Required only for students who were exempted from The Arch.

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