While it has been months since there has been a post to this blog, it has not been abandoned, but simply innocently ignored. And now, as the fall quarter here at OSU is coming to an end, it seems an appropriate time to include some comments about the past and the future.
First off, I wanted to follow up on a previous post announcing the FW 599: River Restoration course from this fall quarter. Although this course wasn't directed specifically at groundwater issues, it was a fantastic course and highly recommended for anyone interested in water, land use and policy issues. It is a team taught course with students and faculty from U of O, with a good mix of students and highly knowledgeable professors. Additionally, through the course students get the opportunity to meet with a variety of stakeholders and professionals in a casual atmosphere to learn about issues facing the Willamette River Basin. In my opinion, the course should be required for all Water Resources Graduate Students, and it is particularly good for students who may not be familiar with the Willamette Basin. 4 standalone graduate credits is also helpful towards your program of study. Feel free to contact me if you want more info.
Secondly, as some of you may be aware, last year there was a modest effort to see CE 518: Groundwater Modeling revived here at OSU. The rumor machine is currently indicating that this course will actually be taught this upcoming Spring 2012 quarter! Let's hope this is actually true, but at this point it seems pretty likely. A good enrollment for this course will help to ensure that groundwater courses remain part of the curriculum here at OSU.
Looking ahead to next quarter, groundwater interested students out there should be registering for GEO/CE/BEE 514: Groundwater Hydraulics if you have not already taken this course. This is a good solid introduction to the world of groundwater, and will position students to potentially take both ENVE 554: Groundwater Remediation and CE 518-Groundwater Modeling in Spring 2012 quarter. Another rumor is that CE 513: GIS and Water Resources will be taught in the Spring quarter, and with all those cool new ARC Groundwater Tools, this could be a fun course as well.
Finally, there is an upcoming groundwater focused event here at OSU on Nov. 30 which is not to be missed. Alfonso Rivera, of the Geological Survey of Canada, will give a talk entitled, "International Transboundary Aquifers: Science, Policy and Social Issues" in Kelly 1001 from 4-5pm. Please come out and support groundwater studies at OSU.
