Virginia Tech is taking an interdisciplinary approach to meet the complex challenges of managing water by proposing a new bachelor of science degree that draws upon the resources of five of its colleges.
The degree program — called Water: Resources, Policy, and Management — will be unique in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It addresses an expected 19 percent job growth in positions requiring a comprehensive understanding of water issues.
“In order to sustainably manage the resource, understanding the human side of water is as important as understanding the science,” said Stephen Schoenholtz, professor of forest hydrology and soils in the College of Natural Resources and Environment, and director of the Virginia Water Resources Research Center at Virginia Tech.
“People from government agencies, private industry, international aid groups, and more are all saying they want to hire people who understand the science and the human dimensions related to water — policy, communication, and stakeholder issues,” he continued. “There is a strong outlook for jobs to meet the growing needs for managing water.”
“Sustainably managing water is a complex challenge,” said Schoenholtz. “Water is a resource for all life. For example, the top management priority for the Jefferson National Forest is now the provision of ample, clean water for our region.”
“The new degree program is about water as a resource from the life science perspective plus economics, policy, law, and management,” he explained.
Schoenholtz, who will coordinate the program with an advisory committee representing faculty from 10 departments, found widespread and strong support throughout the university for creating the undergraduate degree.
“The new degree is exactly the kind of curriculum innovation we need to address global challenges,” said Paul Winistorfer, dean of the College of Natural Resources and Environment. “We’ve brought together the many facets of water expertise on our campus to form what will surely be a leading national educational effort.”
Read the complete article at VT News
The Virginia Tech Board of Visitors approved the new water degree at its June 1-2 meeting; the proposal now goes to the State Council for Higher Education in Virginia for consideration. Virginia Tech expects to initiate the program in spring 2015 pending final approval.
Click here for a brochure about the program.
