Water Resource Management, M.S. - Continuing & Global Education
Requirements
Master of Science in Water Resource Management
Degree Requirements
The M.S. in Water Resources Management is an online degree program offered through
the Division of Continuing and Global Education. Classes within the degree program
can only be taken after qualifying for admission to the M.S. degree program. In addition
to meeting the requirements for a classified graduate student standing set forth by
the university's Division of Graduate Studies, students must complete the predetermined
courses in a predetermined sequence over the five-semester period.
The M.S. in Water Resource Management was developed to meet the growing demand for
advanced knowledge in water resources and their use in the urban, industrial, and
agricultural environment. The degree includes political and policy aspects of water
use as well as an understanding of the economics involved. The program of study will
rely upon the use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to assemble and analyze
databases describing water availability, use, and reclamation. The student will also
gain a proficiency in water management that relies on spatial visualizations and basic
modeling skills used to track the natural variability of water supplies and water-use
forecasting. Each student will acquire a deep understanding of the physical processes
of water delivery and storage along with the management of these water resources.
The aim and goal of the M.S. degree in Water Resource Management is to introduce the
student to a systematic understanding of how water is delivered to the terrestrial
environment from our climate system, follow it through its storage and use. Water
moves through the natural and manmade environment where it is monitored, pumped, and
applied to urban and agricultural systems. Once used, it then must be treated as effluent
and returned to the natural environment. The student is expected to integrate the
effects of changes in water availability in terms of supply and also the effect on
its economics and the politics surrounding these changes.
The M.S. in Water Resource Management consists of eight courses, an internship with
150 hours working in a professional environment, and a culminating project course
(Water Resource Management Project) for a total of 30 units of graduate level academic
credit. Each of the classes will be taught entirely online with instructors using
a variety of delivery styles and methods to interact with the students. The desired
design is to complete the program as a cohort (i.e., lock-step program). Courses are
based on the concepts learned[ in previous courses and students must enroll in courses
in the chronological order listed below. Successful completion of all courses is required
to earn the M.S. in Water Resources Management.
The students are required to complete a "Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems
(GIS)" class that will instruct them on the basics of ArcGIS software prior to the
programs initiation. This prerequisite can be satisfied by taking EES 211 (offered
through Continuing and Global Education), baccalaureate GIS classes, or technical
classes offered through ESRI or other GIS software companies. GIS will be used in
many of the assignments throughout the program.
Formal admission to Fresno State through CSU mentor is required for participation
in the M.S. in Water Resource Management with the exception of graduate students who
are currently admitted to the university. All candidates interested shall meet the
university admission requirements including the following criteria. Applicants will
qualify if they already hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of
higher education and hold a 3.0 or higher grade point average (GPA calculated from
the last 60 unites from an accredited institution)
Core Classes (24 units)
EES 212, 264, 265, 266, 267, 268, 269, 270
Internship (3 units)
EES 263
Final Project (3 units)
EES 298
Total (30 units)
Faculty
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For more on the faculty, see the faculty pages.
The faculty pages are updated by the department or program.