ESE 320
Fall 2026 Part of Term B
Oct 19-Dec 9
Credit: 3 hours.
Study of the science of water on planet earth, the developing water crisis, and some possible solutions to it. Topics include water's unique physical and chemical properties; how it profoundly shapes the earth/ocean/atmosphere system; dynamics of oceans, atmosphere, lakes, rivers, groundwater, and ice masses; current fresh water supplies and their distribution on earth relative to population; current and future water crises and the compounding effects of droughts, floods, and global change; and prospects for some technological and economic approaches to easing the crisis.