Program: Certificate in Stream Restoration Science and Engineering

Offered by: The National Center for Earth-surface Dynamics through the University of Minnesota

Description: A one-year program whose graduates will understand how to blend engineering, physical, biological, and social sciences in prioritizing, designing, implementing, and evaluating stream restoration projects.

Program Outline
1. Foundation Course (required): CE/EEB/GEO 8601 Introduction to Stream Restoration 

This course is taught in the fall of each year and will provide an overview of stream restoration focusing on the main issues related to coupling the fields of civil engineering, ecology, geology, and social science. It will include background classes on basic tools for stream restoration (GIS, surveying, and computer applications), guest lecturers, and case study analyses.

2. Elective Courses: Choose 3-4 courses (11 credits) from the following theme areas:

River and Floodplain Science and Engineering  (must choose 1 course from this area)
River and Floodplain Ecology
Water Quality
Water Policy & Management

Academic Journal: While taking electives, students will keep an academic journal, to record how course material relates to stream restoration. At the start of the Capstone Course (see below), students will report on their journals.

Read student reviews of the electives.

3. Capstone Course (required): CE/EEB/GEO 8602 Stream Restoration Practice

This May term class will provide an opportunity to practice stream restoration design and field work. Extensive use will be made of the Outdoor StreamLab (OSL), which is located at the St. Anthony Falls Laboratory. Most of the class effort will be directed at working on restoration design and implementation.

This certificate can be a stand alone qualification or used as a part of a master's or Ph.D. program.

For more information, contact Vaughan Voller.