Proposal for a
Certificate in Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology
Submitted by Dr.
Michael O’Driscoll on behalf of the Dept. of Geological Sciences
Proposal for a
Certificate in Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology
1.
Educational objectives:
The
Certificate in Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology program provides students
with field, technical, and analytical skills that prepare them for successful
careers in hydro- and environmental geology. In classroom, lab, and field
studies students will learn how to collect environmental field data, water and
sediment sampling techniques, hydrologic measurement techniques, chemical
analyses, scientific writing, data presentation, data analysis, and
problem-solving skills.
2.
Admission standards and academic retention standards
for the successful completion of the program:
For admission to the Certificate in Hydrogeology and
Environmental Geology program the applicant must have a baccalaureate degree
from an institution accredited by a regional association and have either an
overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale on all undergraduate work or a GPA of 3.0 on
a 4.0 scale in either the undergraduate major work or work taken during senior
year. A satisfactory standardized test score is also required.
For retention students must comply with the following:
In
order to remain in good academic standing, graduate students must maintain a
minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 once they have a total of 9 credit hours
attempted. Students who fail to meet the program’s criteria may be placed on
probation or dismissed from the program.
3. Proposed course sequence and course
descriptions:
Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology (9 or more
credits)
GEOL 5150, The Geologic
Component of Environmental Science (3) Fall
GEOL 5700, Geohydrology of Drainage Basins (3) Fall
GEOL 5710, Ground Water
Hydrology (3) Fall
GEOL 6705, Seminar in Geology
(Groundwater Modeling) (3) Sp
GEOL 7920, Advanced Surface
Water / Groundwater Hydrology (4) Sp
Geochemical Processes (3 or more credits)
GEOL 5450, Introduction to
Aqueous Geochemistry (3) Fall
GEOL 7930, Biogeochemical Processes
(3) Sp
Geological Characterization and Quantitative Analysis
(3 or more credits)
GEOL 6250, Stratigraphic Analysis (3) Sp
GEOL 6550, Principles of Geophysics (3) Sp
GEOL 6950, Geological Data
Analysis (3) Sp
GEOL 7910, Sediment Transport
and Depositional Processes (4) Fall
GEOL 6705, Seminar in Geology
(Remote Sensing) (3) Sp
Or 3 s.h.
elective chosen in consultation with the certificate coordinator
Course
Descriptions:
GEOL 5150.
The Geologic Component of Environmental Science (3)
Basic geologic knowledge and
insights that support sound, rational, and science-based environmental
decisions and policies in regard to land and water use. Topics include
pollution abatement, clean up, and prevention; resource extraction, use, and
conservation; and hazardous geologic processes.
GEOL 5450 -
Introduction to Aqueous Geochemistry (3)
An introduction to the
application of chemical principles to studying the distribution of elements at
the Earth's surface especially with regards to their transportation in aqueous
solutions. Topics include the fundamental principles governing chemical equilibria between earth materials and aqueous solutions,
and their application to the study of weathering, groundwater and surface-water
chemistry, and distribution of stable isotopes.
GEOL 5700, 5701
- Geohydrology of Drainage Basins (3,0)
A study of drainage basin
geology and hydrology with emphasis on quantitative analysis, evaporation, streamflow, and hydrologic parameters of surface water and
ground water basins.
GEOL 5710, 5711
- Ground Water Hydrology (3,0)
Origin, occurrence, movement,
quality, regional analysis, and management of ground water. Interrelationship
of ground and surface water. Lab emphasis on aquifer test data collection and
interpretation.
GEOL 6250 - Stratigraphic Analysis (3)
The interpretation of stratified sedimentary rocks. Emphasis on principles and
methodology.
GEOL 6550, 6551
- Principles of Geophysics (3,0)
Includes topics from
seismology, gravity, rock magnetism, and heat flow, as applied to the whole
earth. The relationships between large scale features of the earth and their
geophysical characteristics are emphasized. The laboratory is an introduction
to geophysical instrumentation, data processing, and interpretation.
GEOL 6705 -
Seminar in Geology (Groundwater Modeling) (3) – Proposed
GEOL 6705 -
Seminar in Geology (Remote Sensing) (3) – Proposed
GEOL 6950-
Geological Data Analysis (3)
Discussion and implementation
of various methods of geological data analysis. Emphasis on methods most
applicable to research topics in geology. Topics include data collection and
project design, box models, and uni- and multivariate
analysis of geological data, and time-series analysis.
GEOL 7910 - Sediment Transport and Depositional
Processes (4)
Examines
processes involved in transport and deposition of sediment. Focus on
fundamental principles and how they apply to active processes, recent sediment,
and environmental applications.
GEOL 7920, 7921
- Advanced Surface Water/Groundwater Hydrology (4,0)
Advanced hydrologic topics
with an emphasis on computer applications and modeling. Evaluates steady-state
and nonsteady-state models and applied aspects of
hydrology related to management of water resources.
GEOL 7930- Biogeochemical
Processes (3)
Overview of life’s effects on
chemistry of Earth’s surface. Examines interactions between atmosphere, land
surface, and oceans. Biotic mechanisms in these habitats followed by synthesis
of global cycles of biologically relevant elements (C, N, O, P, and S).
4. Catalog
copy for the certificate program:
Certificate in Hydrogeology and Environmental Geology
The Certificate in Hydrogeology
and Environmental Geology program prepares students for employment and future
studies in the environmental field. This post-baccalaureate program provides
students with experience in water and soil sampling techniques, hydrologic
measurement techniques, chemical analyses, scientific writing, data presentation,
and data analysis. Trained environmental professionals are necessary to solve
problems concerning drinking water supplies, wastewater treatment, water
resources availability, subsurface contaminant transport, stream habitat and
water quality assessment, the effects of climate and land-use change on water
and wetland resources, and many other environmental issues. Employment
opportunities may include work dealing with: environmental regulations, hydrogeologic investigation, wetland mitigation, flood prediction,
pollution abatement and bioremediation, and environmental site audits.
Coursework includes a minimum
of fifteen s.h. in the Geological Sciences. The
certificate requires completion of 9 s.h. in Hydrogeology
and Environmental Geology (3 of the following courses: GEOL 5150, 5700, 5710,
6705, 7920), 3 s.h. in Geochemical Processes (GEOL
5450 or 7930), and 3 s.h. in Geological
Characterization and Quantitative Analysis (GEOL 6250, 6550, 6705, 6950, 7910
or a 3 s.h. elective). A list of the appropriate courses is available from the certificate
coordinator. The certificate is open to degree and nondegree
graduate students.
5. Statement
of how the proposed course sequences associated with the certificate will meet
the stated educational objectives:
Coursework focused on Hydrogeology and Environmental
Geology will help students to obtain
the geologic knowledge to address land and water use
issues and to quantify surface water and
ground water fluxes through the environment. Skills
and techniques covered include field data
collection, water and soil sampling techniques,
hydrologic measurement techniques,
scientific writing, data analysis, and data
presentation. Courses in Geochemical Processes will
help students learn basic chemical concentration units,
conversions, and geochemical
concepts and processes important to collecting and
analyzing surface water and ground water
samples for water quality and for the interpretation
of water quality data. Skills and techniques
covered include field data collection skills, water
sampling, chemical analyses techniques,
scientific writing, data analysis, and data presentation.
The Geological Characterization and
Quantitative Analysis coursework will help the
students to learn basic concepts and processes
important to understanding surface and subsurface
geological characterization, and collecting and
analyzing geological data. Skills and techniques
covered include field data collection skills,
scientific writing, mapping, data analysis, and data presentation.
6. Statement
of the need for the proposed program and the basis for such a need, supported
by either externally or internally derived data:
7. Faculty associated with or contributing to the
certificate program, either by teaching one or more of the courses associated
with the program or participating in the design of the course sequence: Dr. M. O’Driscoll, Dr. R. Spruill, Dr. T. Woods, Dr.
D. Mallinson, Dr. S. Mitra, Dr. A. Manda, Dr. C. Rigsby, Dr. E. Horsman, Dr. A.
Heimann-Rios, Dr. D.R. Corbett, Dr. J.P. Walsh, Dr. E. Leorri, Dr. S. Culver,
Dr. D. Neal, Dr. R. Mulligan, Dr. S. Harper, and Dr. R. Miller.
8. Dr. M.A. O’Driscoll will be designated as the
coordinator of the program for purposes of communication with the
9. The proposed program contains no new courses, no
new faculty, no additional costs, and maintains admissions and academic
standing requirements of the MS program.
10. The certificate does not qualify for a professional
license but prepares graduates for the
Professional Geologist exam (ASBOG) and the Professional Hydrologist
exam (AIH).
Michael A. O’Driscoll
Ph: 252.328.5578 · odriscollm@ecu.edu
Education
The
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Appointments
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Hygenix, Inc. -
Recent Publications
O’Driscoll, M.A., Johnson,
P.K., and Mallinson, D.J. 2010. Geological controls and effects of floodplain asymmetry on
river-groundwater interactions in the southeastern Coastal Plain,
O’Driscoll, M.A., and DeWalle, D.R. 2010. Seeps regulate stream nitrate
concentration in a forested Appalachian
catchment. Journal of Environmental Quality 39: 1-12.
O’Driscoll, M., Soban, J., and
Hardison, E.C., O’Driscoll,
M.A., DeLoatch, J.P., Howard, R.J. and Brinson, M.M.
2009. Urban land-use, channel
incision, and riparian water table decline along Inner Coastal Plain streams,
O’Driscoll, M.A. and Parizek, R.R. 2008. Geological controls on seasonal pool hydroperiod in a karst setting. Wetlands, 28 (4):1004–1017.
O’Driscoll, M.A.
and DeWalle, D.R. 2008. Groundwater seepage and
dissolved organic carbon flux in an
Appalachian catchment. In: Riparian
Ecosystems and Buffers: Working at the Water’s
Edge. American Water Resources Association 2008 Summer Specialty Conference Proceedings,
O’Driscoll, M.A.
and DeWalle, D.R. 2006. Stream-air temperature
relations to classify stream-
ground water interactions in a karst
setting, central Pennsylvania, USA. Journal of Hydrology
329:140-153.
O’Driscoll, M.A.,
S.R. Riggs, D.V. Ames, M. M. Brinson, D.R. Corbett, and D. J. Mallinson. 2006. Geomorphic, Ecologic, and
Hydrologic Dynamics of Merchants Millpond, North Carolina . In “Hydrology and Management of Forested
Wetlands." Proceedings of The ASABE
International Conference on Hydrology and Management of Forested Wetlands.
DeWalle, D.R., Buda, A.R., Eismeier,
J.A., Sharpe, W.E., Swistock, B.R., Craig, P.L., and O’Driscoll, M.A. 2005. Nitrogen cycling on
five headwater forested catchments in mid- Appalachians
of Pennsylvania. In: Dynamics and Biogeochemistry of River Corridors and Wetlands (IAHS-294). Eds:
Heathwaite, L., Webb, B., Rosenberry,
D., Weaver, D., and Hayashi, M.
International Association of Hydrological Sciences,
O’Driscoll, M.A.,
DeWalle, D.R., McGuire, K.J. and Gburek,
W.J. 2005. Seasonal 18O variations and
ground water recharge for three landscape types in central
Synergistic Activities
O’Driscoll, M.A. 2008. Ground
water and surface water: One indivisible resource. Currents, Fall 2008, p. 7.
O’Driscoll, M.A. 2008.
Streams and sprawl: Urbanization and channel enlargement in the Coastal
Plain.
O’Driscoll, M.A. 2008.
Land-use effects on Coastal Plain floodplain function.
Culver, S., Bin, O., Brewer,
J., Christian, R., Corbett, D., Curtis, S., Edwards, B., King, L., Long, P., Mallinson, D., Novick, L., O'Driscoll, M., Riggs, S., and Rummel, J. 2008. Global Warming
and Coastal
O’Driscoll, M., Hardison, E.,
Rheinhardt, R., and Brinson, M. 2008. Developing
Reference Data to Identify and
Calibrate Indicators of Riparian Ecosystem Condition in Urban Coastal Plain Landscapes in
Professional
Societies
Geological Society of
America, American Water Resources Association, North Carolina Water Resources
Association, American Geophysical Union, National Ground Water Association,
International Association of Hydrological Sciences, Society of Wetland
Scientists, Soil Science Society of America.
Current Funded Grants
Ribbon of Hope Program, ReachUp Science Outreach, GlaxoSmithKline Foundation. Miles, R. O’Driscoll, M., Overton, A., and Morehead, A. ($25,000)
Building Capacity to Investigate the Link between Wastewater, Groundwater Contamination, and Human Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
O’Driscoll, M., Humphrey, C., and Kelly, T. ($90,934)
Graduate Students
graduated
Charles Humphrey (PhD-2009), David Harnsberger (MS-2009), John DeLoatch (MS-2009), Heather Hutchinson (MS-2007), Jason Soban (MS-2007), and Kolt Johnson (MS-2007).
in progress
Robert Howard (MS), Keaton Henry (MS), and Shawn Thieme (MS).
11. The
Classification of Instructional Program (CIP) title and six-digit code:
Hydrology and Water Resources Science.
(NEW) A program that focuses on the scientific of study of the
occurrence, circulation, distribution, chemical and physical properties, and
environmental interaction of surface and subsurface waters, including
groundwater. Includes instruction in geophysics, thermodynamics, fluid
mechanics, chemical physics, geomorphology, mathematical modeling, hydrologic
analysis, continental water processes, global water balance, and
environmental science. |
12. The minimum number of weeks required for a
student to complete this certificate is 30 weeks.