Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering - Hydrologic Science and Engineering

Colorado State University

Hydrology focuses on the movement, storage, and properties of water in the environment as well as the interaction of water with environmental and human systems. At the center of ​this field is a set of physical processes including precipitation, interception, evaporation, transpiration, infiltration, aquifer recharge, groundwater flow, and streamflow that move water in the environment. Hydrologists use satellites, drones, and terrestrial sensors to observe these processes. Hydrologists also use artificial intelligence (AI) and mathematical models to predict hydrologic processes as well as data science and statistical methods to account for spatial variability and temporal dynamics. Many activities in civil and environmental engineering involve hydrology including water supply planning, wildfire recovery, flood forecasting, dam safety analysis, storm sewer design, irrigation and drainage system design and management, water rights administration, river restoration, floodplain management, and drought mitigation. Hydrology is also closely related to numerous policy issues such as climate change mitigation and adaptation, food and energy production, urban planning, etc.

Walter Scott, Jr. College of Engineering