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Erin Wilson

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In order to access this course without a fee, please follow the below steps:

1. Click the blue ‘Enroll’ button

2. At the bottom of the pop-up window, click the ‘Audit the course’ option

3. For more information on auditing a course, please see details in this Learner Help Center article: https://www.coursera.support/s/article/209818613-Enrollment-options?language=en_US

In this course, spread over ten modules, participants will learn about:

• the water cycle

• hydrology

• groundwater models

• human impacts on freshwater ecosystems

• water governance

• water law

• the economics of water infrastructure

• scenario planning and municipal water

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What's inside

Syllabus

The Water Cycle
Surface Water
Groundwater
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Course Completion

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Examines water governance, a highly relevant topic in environmental policy and management
Taught by Erin Wilson, who are recognized for their expertise in water resources management
Covers the water cycle, a fundamental topic in hydrology
Provides hands-on experience with groundwater models, which are essential for water resource planning
Addresses current challenges in water management, such as human impacts and climate change
Offers a comprehensive study of water infrastructure economics, which is crucial for decision-making

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Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Water Cycle with these activities:
Review basic hydrology concepts
Reinforce foundational knowledge in hydrology, enhancing understanding of subsequent course content.
Browse courses on Hydrology
Show steps
  • Review notes from previous hydrology courses or textbooks.
  • Solve practice problems or complete online quizzes on hydrology principles.
Review 'A River Runs Through It' by Norman Maclean
Explore the water cycle and hydrology through the lens of a fictional narrative.
View The Bitter Roots on Amazon
Show steps
  • Read the book.
  • Identify the key concepts related to the water cycle and hydrology.
  • Write a summary of the book, highlighting the role of water in the story.
Collect and organize course materials
Promote early engagement with course materials, building a solid foundation for learning.
Show steps
  • Gather notes and assignments from previous semesters (if available).
  • Create a dedicated folder or notebook for the course.
  • Organize materials by module or topic.
Eight other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all 11 activities
Review the water cycle and hydrology concepts
Strengthen your foundation in water cycle and hydrology before starting the course.
Browse courses on Water Cycle
Show steps
  • Review your notes and textbooks on water cycle and hydrology.
  • Take practice quizzes or tests to assess your understanding.
Compile a notebook of key concepts and resources
Create a personalized reference guide for the course.
Show steps
  • Gather notes, assignments, and resources related to the course.
  • Organize the materials into a notebook or binder.
  • Review the notebook regularly to reinforce your learning.
Join a study group to discuss the course material
Engage with fellow students to deepen your understanding of the material.
Show steps
  • Find a study group or create your own.
  • Meet regularly to discuss the course material.
  • Prepare questions and share insights with your group members.
Write a summary of the water cycle
Reinforce understanding of a key concept by summarizing it in writing.
Browse courses on Water Cycle
Show steps
  • Gather information about the water cycle from lecture notes, textbooks, or online resources.
  • Organize the information into a coherent outline.
  • Write a clear and concise summary of the water cycle, including its processes and components.
Solve practice problems on groundwater modeling
Reinforce your understanding of groundwater modeling techniques through practice.
Browse courses on Groundwater Models
Show steps
  • Review the concepts of groundwater modeling.
  • Find practice problems on groundwater modeling.
  • Solve the practice problems.
  • Check your answers and identify areas for improvement.
Follow tutorials on scenario planning for municipal water systems
Gain hands-on experience in scenario planning for municipal water systems.
Browse courses on Water Governance
Show steps
  • Find tutorials on scenario planning for municipal water systems.
  • Follow the tutorials and complete the exercises.
  • Apply the techniques you learned to a real-world case study.
Write an essay on the impact of water scarcity on human populations
Apply your understanding of water governance and law to analyze the societal implications of water scarcity.
Show steps
  • Research the topic of water scarcity and its impact on human populations.
  • Develop an outline for your essay.
  • Write the first draft of your essay.
  • Revise and edit your essay.
Volunteer to tutor students in a related topic
Strengthen your understanding by teaching others.
Show steps
  • Find a tutoring opportunity at your school or community center.
  • Prepare lesson plans and materials to support your students.
  • Tutor students regularly and provide them with feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete The Water Cycle will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Water Resources Engineer
Water Resources Engineers design and manage water systems to meet the needs of communities, businesses, and the environment. They may work on projects such as dams, reservoirs, and water treatment plants. This course can help Water Resources Engineers gain a comprehensive understanding of the water cycle, hydrology, and other relevant topics.
Hydrologist
Hydrologists study the movement, distribution, and quality of water on Earth. They may work in fields such as water resources management, environmental protection, and climate change research. This course can help Hydrologists develop a strong foundation in hydrology and related topics, which are essential for their work.
Hydrogeologist
Hydrogeologists study groundwater and its interaction with the environment. They may work on projects such as groundwater contamination remediation, aquifer management, and groundwater resource development. This course can help Hydrogeologists develop a strong foundation in hydrogeology and related topics, which are essential to their work.
Water Resource Manager
Water Resource Managers oversee the planning, development, and management of water resources. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course can help Water Resource Managers gain a comprehensive understanding of water resource management principles and practices, which are essential to their work.
Water Law Attorney
Water Law Attorneys specialize in legal issues related to water resources. They may represent clients in water rights disputes, environmental litigation, and other water-related matters. This course can help Water Law Attorneys gain a deeper understanding of water law and related concepts, which are essential to their practice.
Environmental Scientist
Environmental Scientists study the environment and its components, including water. They may work on projects such as pollution control, climate change mitigation, and ecosystem restoration. This course will provide Environmental Scientists with valuable insights into the water cycle and related concepts, which are essential to their research and work.
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Water Treatment Plant Operators oversee the operation and maintenance of water treatment plants. They ensure that water is safe and clean for drinking and other uses. This course can help Water Treatment Plant Operators develop the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage water treatment processes and ensure water quality.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineers use the principles of engineering, soil science, biology, and chemistry to develop solutions to environmental problems. Water is fundamental to the environment, and the water cycle impacts many environmental issues. This course can help Environmental Engineers understand the water cycle and related concepts to better inform their decision-making and develop more effective solutions.
Water Policy Analyst
Water Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies related to water resources management. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course can help Water Policy Analysts gain a deeper understanding of water-related issues and develop the skills needed to develop and implement effective policies.
Water Conservation Specialist
Water Conservation Specialists develop and implement programs to promote water conservation. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course can help Water Conservation Specialists gain a comprehensive understanding of water conservation strategies and techniques, which are essential to their work.
Water Resources Planner
Water Resources Planners develop and implement plans to manage water resources. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course can help Water Resources Planners gain a comprehensive understanding of water resources planning principles and practices, which are essential to their work.
Water Utility Manager
Water Utility Managers oversee the operation and management of water utilities. They may be responsible for water distribution, wastewater treatment, or both. This course can help Water Utility Managers develop the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage water utilities and ensure the provision of safe and reliable water services.
Water Quality Manager
Water Quality Managers oversee the quality of water in a variety of settings, such as drinking water systems, wastewater treatment plants, and industrial facilities. They may also develop and implement water quality management plans. This course can help Water Quality Managers develop the knowledge and skills needed to effectively manage water quality and ensure public health.
Soil and Water Conservationist
Soil and Water Conservationists develop and implement plans to protect soil and water resources. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course can help Soil and Water Conservationists gain a comprehensive understanding of soil and water conservation principles and practices, which are essential to their work.
Climate Change Analyst
Climate Change Analysts study the impacts of climate change on water resources. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. This course can help Climate Change Analysts gain a deeper understanding of climate change impacts on water resources and develop the skills needed to assess and mitigate these impacts.

Reading list

We've selected six books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in The Water Cycle.
Provides a step-by-step guide to scenario planning for municipal water, covering topics such as stakeholder engagement, scenario development, and decision-making. It good choice for learners who want to gain a practical understanding of how to use scenario planning to improve water management.
Provides an engaging and well-written introduction to hydrology. It covers important concepts and approaches, making it a good foundational read.
Explores various aspects of water resources management, such as water scarcity, governance, and environmental sustainability.
Gives a broad and detailed overview of physical and chemical hydrogeology and mathematical applications in hydrogeology. It is advanced and in-depth and will serve as a good resource for those seeking more in-depth foundational knowledge.
Save
Popular science book written for a general audience about the history of water and its importance to humanity. It is intended more as supplemental reading for those interested in the topic, rather than a core text.

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