About the Program
Texas
and Texas A&M University--
A Great
Place to Study and Prepare for a Career in Water
 The
Texas A&M University Interdisciplinary Graduate Water Degree
Program, which is administratively housed within the College
of Geosciences,
is a unique masters and doctoral program that has been designed to integrate
diverse disciplines in water management and hydrologic science. We are
committed to educating the next generation of water managers and scientists.
The
interdisciplinary character and practical orientation of this degree
program reflects the growing complexity of water issues.
Over the past
twenty-five years, population shifts, industrial developments, changes
in law, and advances in technology have intensified competition for
water resources and placed new burdens on planners, policy makers
and managers.
Increasing problems of water pollution or water supply require not
only an understanding of water chemistry and transport systems
but also an
appreciation for the short and long-term implications of water
allocation and land-use practices. Implementing effective solutions
demands
an ability to communicate and work effectively with a diversity
of professionals,
policymakers, and concerned citizens.
Mission
Our Mission is to:
-
Foster
the discovery and application of knowledge about water
resources and their related ecosystems to promote human well-being and
development.
-
Prepare
the next generation of water scientists, hydrologists and managers
for
professional and academic careers at the state, national and international
levels.
-
Provide
graduate students with strong technical skills in disciplines relevant
to water resources including a broad
understanding of hydrology
and associated ecosystems, the interconnectedness of the sciences
involved in hydrology and the interplay between the biophysical
and social sciences
in water management.
-
Create
and sustain a faculty-student teaching, research and service environment
fostering a better understanding of
hydrologic science
and water
management.
-
Provide
a teaching and research base for collaborations, lectures, seminars,
and workshops to improve the communication and exchange of knowledge
between students, faculty, professionals and citizens.
-
Empower
effective outreach by engaging relevant stakeholders in the
adoption sound water management practices through scientific research,
teaching and scholarship.
-
Improve
the availability, security and reliability of human water supplies.
Program
Structure
 The
Water Management and Hydrological Science (WMHS) degree program is
administered by an intercollegiate faculty drawn from four
colleges
and multiple departments. Two masters degrees (a thesis and non-thesis
option) and a Ph.D. degree are offered through the program.
The
WMHS Program is not administered by a single department,
but is under the
guidance of an Executive Committee and a Program Chair who report
to a Council of Participating Deans. The College
of Geosciences,
Department
of Geography provides administrative and student office space
and computer facilities.
We
have nearly 60 faculty members from 12 academic departments
in the Colleges of Architecture, Agriculture
and Life Sciences, Engineering,
and Geosciences participating
in the WMHS program. Faculty have expertise in the bio-physical and
social sciences and in engineering.
Our interdisciplinary curriculum is designed to allow students to become
leaders in their focal areas of water while making connections to colleagues
in other related disciplines.
Our
Students
Students are admitted to the degree programs through a competitive
application process. Students are required to meet all the
requirements for admission
to graduate studies at Texas A&M University. The overall admission
criteria for the University are based on the entire record of the applicant
and the availability of resources.
Although
the number varies from semester to semester and year to year the
Program seeks to establish an enrollment of about 40 masters and
doctoral students. We are looking for students who:
-
Excel
academically.
-
Seek
a challenging program with interdisciplinary depth and breadth.
-
Have
a passion for research in water management, science and hydrology.
Students
in the program are from Texas, the United States and a number
of other countries. Our international students are from China, Egypt,
India, Mauritius, Mexico and South Africa.
Program
Recognition
The
Texas A&M
University Water Degree Program has been given the 2006 Education
and Public Service award from the Universities Council
on Water Resources. The Universities Council is a consortium
of more than 90 universities that facilitates water education, promotes
research,
and provides technical information on water problems and solutions.
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