Question for civil engineering/geology/environmental science grad students

[geochic]

I had an exciting day... I met with my advisor and found out that a fully-funded project in my field was already selected for me and it's a goodie! So that's a great discovery! I also had my first coursework advising session and a number of courses were recommended for me. However, some of these courses are not of particular interest to me, don't serve an important developmental role for me professionally, or they simply do not work with my intended schedule.

So I did some hunting and found a class that I think might fit with my career goals and scheduling needs- It is a course on the mechanical properties of soils...

Has anybody in the aforementioned fields taken a similar course?

If somebody has can they offer up some info on the utility of the course for an up-and-coming environmental hydrogeologist who intends to work with government or private agencies in water/sediment interaction and water resources/remediation? Also how math heavy will a course like this potentially be? I researched the subject online and I have a novice understanding of unsaturated and vadose-zone dynamics (on-par with an undergrad with a background in hydro and geomorphology, as well as some environmental chemistry) but I have no math past Calc 2 which means no Diff EQ or Linear Algebra so those things scare me...

If this post is in the wrong spot feel free to move it. I'm just hoping for a little more background since I have NO engineering coursework under my belt.

[MeanderingPhD]

I have a MS in hydrology. I would recommend taking at least one soils class. I took a soil physics course, if you can add/subtract/divide and know how to use a calculator then you should be fine. I had Calc I and II when I took my soil physics class. My master's program required Calc I, II, III and differential equations. It might not be a bad idea for you to take Clac III or differential equations since it is a top 10 school for hydrology and they're standard classes for hydrology programs...

Take the classes that you want but keep in mind there will be classes you're not excite to take that will help you to be an informed hydrologist.

[geochic]

I have a MS in hydrology. I would recommend taking at least one soils class. I took a soil physics course, if you can add/subtract/divide and know how to use a calculator then you should be fine. I had Calc I and II when I took my soil physics class. My master's program required Calc I, II, III and differential equations. It might not be a bad idea for you to take Clac III or differential equations since it is a top 10 school for hydrology and they're standard classes for hydrology programs...

Take the classes that you want but keep in mind there will be classes you're not excite to take that will help you to be an informed hydrologist.

Thank you for the advice! I went ahead and enrolled in the course. I was thinking that a soils class would be a boon to me but I wanted to get more info before I wasted credits that should go to something more applicable.

I certainly wouldn't be adverse to having a stronger math background- it just wasn't required for my undergrad degree. I may just do some independent instruction so that I don't have to pay the expense of taking extra coursework but I still have an understanding of Diff EQ and Calc 3, which I understand, is all about shapes and space--and I can see that being a benefit as well- (not to mention a stats for sciences class for data interpretation since I have only had intro stats).

Are you a practicing hydrologist now or in a PhD program?

Edited August 11, 2010 by geochic

[MeanderingPhD]

I'm not sure if you're in a hydrology/hydrogeology program but they're fairly structured so you have a competent background to call yourself a hydrologist/hydrogeologist. Soils classes are not 'wasted' credits. Look at the NRCS- they're mostly older guys that are retiring soon and they need to fill those jobs with people who have a few courses of soils. The more advanced maths with help you understand the derivation of equations. If they scare you, you can always take them pass/fail. I had to take Physics II, Calc II, Calc III and differential equations for my masters deficiencies and still got out in two years. Stats would be beneficial too.

I'm in a PhD program now.