Summary: Hands-on study and discussion of the basic
physical principles of the water cycle (evaporation,
condensation, precipitation, runoff, and subsurface flow),
interaction with the biosphere (evapotranspiration,
hydrological/ecological feedbacks), as well as environmentally
relevant applications based on case studies. Special focus on
the Northeast, the arid Southwest, and the developing world.
Coverage of contemporary global water quantity and quality
issues, sustainable development, and climate change. Classes
will be split between lectures and hands-on investigations.
Prerequisites: one year college science or math;
EESC V 2100 (Climate) or permission of the instructor;
familiarity with MS Excel or other spreadsheet software.
Credits: 3 points.
Hours: Tue, Thu from 12:10 to 2:00 pm, in 530
Altschul Hall.
Format: Lecture, assigned readings, demonstrations
in class, hands-on exercises, problem sets (often requiring use
of a computer, WWW, MS Excel), and one mandatory weekend field
trip, 4/14 - 4/15/2012
