Online Water Resources Modeling Certificate

Model Water Systems to Guide Better Decisions.

From managing floods and designing stormwater systems to planning reservoirs and protecting watersheds, engineers rely on sophisticated models to predict how water moves through natural and built environments.

Water resources modeling combines engineering, mathematics, computer programming, and data analysis to investigate complex water-related challenges. Engineers use these models to simulate water movement, evaluate potential risks, test design alternatives, and make informed decisions about water infrastructure and management. This work involves analyzing large datasets and developing, calibrating, and validating models to improve their accuracy and reliability.

Michigan Tech's Online Water Resources Modeling Graduate Certificate helps engineers and other technical professionals build the analytical and computational skills needed to assess water systems, evaluate infrastructure, and address evolving water resource challenges.

Who is This Certificate For?

This math- and science-intensive certificate is designed for engineers and professionals with backgrounds in physical sciences, geosciences, computational sciences, or related technical fields who want to strengthen their water resources modeling skills. Depending on your academic background, prerequisite coursework may be required.

It is particularly relevant to those analyzing hydraulic and hydrologic systems, managing water resources, or using computational models to support infrastructure and environmental decisions.

What You'll Study

You'll build practical modeling experience through case studies involving hydrologic, two-dimensional hydrodynamic, and hydraulic systems. Coursework covers topics such as water quality engineering, hydrodynamic modeling, and limnology, combining computational methods with applications in water resources management.

Work with an advisor to select those courses that fit your background and professional interests. (You may have to take some prerequisites to be prepared.) Then, choose three elective courses to complete your 9-credit certificate.

 

CEGE Program Website

Electives: Choose Three Courses

CEE 5504 - Water Quality Modeling in Natural Systems

Application of mathematical modeling to water quality management. Models are developed to simulate natural phenomena, mass transport, and reaction kinetics in lake and river ecosystems. Students will construct simple models and be introduced to state of the art modeling tools.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-2-3)
• Semesters Offered: Spring
• Pre-Requisite(s): CEE 4505 or BL 4450

CEE 5520 - Introduction to Hydrodynamic Modeling

Introduce fundamental concept and numerical methods used in hydrodynamic modeling, physical process in the hydrodynamic system and their numerical representation using governing equations. Students construct simplified numerical models with application to problems of coastal oceans and large lakes, as well as engineering systems of interest to environmental and other engineers.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
• Semesters Offered: Spring
• Restrictions: May not be enrolled in one of the following Class(es): Freshman, Sophomore, Junior
• Pre-Requisite(s): MA 3520 or MA 3521 or MA 3530 or MA 3560

CEE 5610 - Water Resources System Modeling & Design

Solve complicated, open-ended real-world water resources problems in natural and built systems by developing and executing models using state of the practice technologies. Includes programming to manage large datasets and validation or calibration and optimization of models for design.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (2-1-0)
• Semesters Offered: Spring
• Restrictions: Must be enrolled in one of the following Level(s): Graduate
• Pre-Requisite(s): CEE 3620 or CEE 3650

CEE 5625 - River and Floodplain Hydraulics

Analysis and modeling strategies of open channel systems, including natural channels, designed channels, flow transitions, non-uniform flow, and unsteady flow.

• Credits: 3.0
• Lec-Rec-Lab: (3-0-0)
• Semesters Offered: Fall
• Pre-Requisite(s): CEE 3620

Where You'll Apply Your Skills

Water resources modeling is about solving some of the most important issues today, such as climate change, water scarcity, and the demands of growing populations.

Here are some popular career paths for water resources modeling professionals:

• Water Resources Engineer
• Environmental Engineer
• Environmental Test Engineer
• Infrastructure Engineer
• Environmental Consultant

Get Started on Your Online Water Resources Certificate.

Take the next step on your journey at Michigan Tech and join one of the top water resources modeling programs in the nation. We are here to answer your questions and to help you succeed in your online program. Reach out when you're ready. Or start our free and easy online graduate application.

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