Department of Geological and Environmental Sciences
Students in the certificate program in applied hydrogeology at Western Michigan University will gain the field, technical and analytical skills that prepare them for successful careers in hydro- and environmental geology. They will learn the principles and practices of aquifer testing and analysis, contaminant transport and remediation, drilling and water well design, installation and development and near-surface geophysics. Students will also practice water, soil, gas and sediment sampling, field geochemistry, scientific writing, proper data collection, field documentation, scientific presentation and analysis. Through online and field courses, they will gain the knowledge, as well as the ability to carry out relevant field techniques and develop technical and problem-solving skills.
Trained environmental professionals are needed to solve problems concerning drinking water supplies, wastewater treatment, water resources availability, subsurface contaminant transport, water quality and quality assessment, the effects of climate and land-use change on water and wetland resources and many other environmental issues.
This program will provide you with:
- Instruction on how to design an investigation, collect and analyze data, and form interpretations.
- Opportunities to and share results with peers, faculty and members of the geosciences community.
- Specialized knowledge, critical thinking and communication skills necessary to succeed as a trained environmental professional.
- Six credit hours of the Hydrogeology Field Course and nine additional credit hours available either online or face-to-face.
Beyond the classroom
The certificate is open to degree and non-degree seeking students. The program also includes opportunities for things such as:
- Developing portfolios for future jobs.
- Theoretical, laboratory and field training and technical skills that will prepare you to be a marketable entry-level geologist, hydrogeologist or environmental scientist.
- Training in technical and field aspects of environmental geology and hydrogeology through hands-on training.
- Participation in WMU's active student organizations including Geology Club, Student Chapter of American Institute for Professional Geologists, Student Chapter of American Associate of Petroleum Geologists and the Student Chapter of the Society of Exploration Geophysicists.
After you graduate
Employment opportunities may include work dealing with environmental consulting, environmental regulations, hydrogeologic investigation, wetland mitigation, flood prediction, pollution abatement and hazardous waste remediation and environmental geochemistry. Some positions require additional licensure not provided as part of this program.
Recent WMU graduates with certificates in applied hydrogeology are working as:
- Geologists, hydrogeologists.
- Teachers, educational consultants or museum educators.
- Managers or mid-level consultants.
- Environmental technicians, scientists and specialists.
- Environmental regulators.
Among the organizations they work for are:
- State and federal government agencies.
- Private consulting firms.
- Non-profit organizations and educational services.
Where is this program offered?
- Kalamazoo