NSCI 527 - Water: Environmental Science

Central to all ecosystems, water is essential to life as we know it. It shapes our planet on every level, from the chemical properties of the H₂O molecule to its central role in global climate. Poised to be to the 21^st century what oil was to the 20^th, water is also a critical environmental issue. Where do we find it? Is it safe to consume? Who has access to it? How can we manage this precious resource to provide an adequate supply to all the species that depend upon it? This course will focus on why water is such a critical resource, the effect of human consumption on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, and the social, economic, and environmental implications of water management.

The course begins with an overview of the role of water as a key component of planetary systems, the many ways humans use water and the cumulative effects of human activity on Earth’s freshwater supply. It describes the link between water and biodiversity and the services that freshwater ecosystems provide, with a particular focus on wetlands. It considers how this finite resource is distributed across the planet, moves on to the effect of water quality on human health and concludes with an overview of the key challenges that affect water management on a global scale.

During each week of the course, case studies provide learners with in-depth, real-world and diverse exposure to these issues. They also provide opportunities for rich discussion. The studies include the history and hydrology of the Colorado River and the tradeoffs of water management; the livelihoods that revolve around the Mekong River and its fertile delta; the clean-up of wastewater through constructed wetlands in Augusta, Georgia; water supply and management in the New York City watershed; and the complexity of sharing water resources among the eight countries that share southern Africa’s Zambezi River Basin. Offered online by the American Museum of Natural History. For more information about this course and associated fees, please contact the College of Graduate Studies.