Applied Hydrogeology

Program Overview

The Certificate in Applied Hydrogeology from Western Michigan University equips individuals with field, technical, and analytical skills for careers in hydro- and environmental geology. Through online and field courses, students gain expertise in aquifer testing, contaminant transport, drilling, and geophysics, preparing them for roles in environmental consulting, hydrogeological investigation, and pollution abatement. Graduates qualify for entry-level positions as geologists, hydrogeologists, and environmental scientists.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Program Overview:

• Certificate in Applied Hydrogeology from Western Michigan University prepares individuals with field, technical, and analytical skills to embark on successful careers in hydro- and environmental geology.
• Students gain expertise in aquifer testing and analysis, contaminant transport and remediation, drilling and water well design, installation and development, and near-surface geophysics.
• Participants learn practical skills such as water, soil, gas, and sediment sampling, field geochemistry, scientific writing, proper data collection, field documentation, scientific presentation, and analysis.
• The program provides a comprehensive understanding and hands-on experience through online and field courses, equipping students with problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.

Program Objectives:

• To train environmental professionals to address critical issues related to drinking water supplies, wastewater treatment, water resources availability, subsurface contaminant transport, water quality, climate and land-use impacts on water and wetland resources, and other environmental concerns.

Outline:

• Program Structure: The program includes:
• Six credit hours of the Hydrogeology Field Course.
• Nine additional credit hours offered online or face-to-face, based on student preference.
• Module Descriptions: The curriculum covers:
• Designing investigations, collecting and analyzing data, and interpreting findings in hydrogeology.
• Presenting and sharing research results with peers, faculty, and members of the geosciences community.

Careers:

Career Paths:

Graduates pursue employment opportunities in:

• Environmental consulting.
• Environmental regulations.
• Hydrogeological investigation.
• Wetland mitigation.
• Flood prediction.
• Pollution abatement.
• Hazardous waste remediation.
• Environmental geochemistry.

Career Outlook:

• Graduates qualify for entry-level positions as geologists, hydrogeologists, environmental scientists, and technicians.
• With additional licensure, graduates may advance to mid-level consultant or management roles within their chosen fields.

Employer Examples:

• State and federal government agencies
• Private consulting firms
• Non-profit organizations
• Educational services