Water Resources Science Ph.D.

Take WRS 8100 Interdisciplinary Seminar in Water Resources for 0.5 credits. This course is available through UMTC course registration only.

Select in consultation with advisor. Other courses can be selected with advisor approval.

The science of inland waters, or "limnology," includes the study of streams, lakes, ponds, and wetlands. While Lake Superior falls into this category, the style of research, particularly the nature of sampling and the scale of the processes investigated, makes study of Lake Superior and other Great Lakes more akin to oceanography than to classical limnology. A program that focuses on the study of both limnology and oceanography strengthens understanding of both systems, through comparative studies and by fostering interaction between groups that focus more strongly on one or the other system. Limnology and oceanography are by necessity interdisciplinary fields, with major components contributed by biological, geological, physical, and chemical sciences. This track within the cross-campus interdisciplinary WRS program provides comprehensive training in limnology and oceanography. As is the case for the WRS graduate program as a whole, the limnology and oceanography program includes a set of core courses plus electives in the subfield of limnology and oceanography. The goal of the program is to produce scientists with strong technical skills in aquatic science and a broad understanding of limnology and oceanography. Faculty on both Twin Cities and Duluth campuses participate in the limnology and oceanography track.

PhD students pursuing this track must have at least two members of the limnology and oceanography track faculty on their committee including the advisor.