This course explores the nature and use of digital geographic information systems (GIS) for the analysis and synthesis of spatial patterns and processes through 'cartographic modeling'. Cartographic modeling is a general but well defined methodology that can be used to address a wide variety of analytical mapping applications in a clear and consistent manner. It does so by decomposing both data and data-processing tasks into elemental components that can then be recomposed with relative ease and with great flexibility.

This course has several objectives. The central focus will be on developing a comprehensive understanding of the principles of sustainable development, an idea that was given prominence in the 1987 Report of the United Nations' World Commission in Environment and Development. This report defined sustainable development as:" . . . development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs."


Behind this deceptively simple statement, however, lie a number of complex concepts: What is "development?" What types of "present needs" are we talking about? How will the "needs" of future generations be measured? What threats, practices, or processes will "compromise" these future needs? What changes in the distribution of wealth, access to health care, access to education, and participation in societal governance will be necessary to produce a truly "sustainable" society? The course will introduce students to the various dimensions of sustainable development.

This one-week course will be held as part of the World Water Forum 6 on March 12-17, 2012 in Marseille, France (see www.worldwaterforum6.org for details). This tri-annual Forum is the world's largest gathering of those interested in global water issues and over 25,000 are expected to attend. Attendees at the Forum will include world leaders in water, sanitation, and health issues and will represent governments, NGOs, academia, the private sector, and the general public. Students will be involved in some combination of the following: : (1) planning, organizing and/or conducting an event at the Forum; (2) delivering a presentation/poster; (3) researching specific topics related to the Forum; (4) interviewing world experts at the Forum.

This course covers the fundamentals of atmosphere and ocean dynamics, and aims to put these in the context of climate change in the 21st century. large-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation, the global energy balance, and the global energy balance, and the global hydrological cycle. We will introduce concepts of fluid dynamics and we will apply these to the vertical and horizontal motions in the atmosphere and ocean. Concepts covered include: hydrostatic law, buoyancy and convection, basic equations of fluid motions, Hadley and Ferrel cells in the atmosphere, thermohaline circulation, Sverdrup ocean flow, modes of climate variability (El-Nino, North Atlantic Oscillation, Southern Annular Mode). The course will incorporate student led discussions based on readings of the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report and recent literature on climate change. Aimed at undergraduate or graduate students who have no prior knowledge of meteorology or oceanography or training in fluid mechanics. Previous background in calculus and/or introductory physics is helpful. This is a general course which spans many subdisciplines (fluid mechanics, atmospheric science, oceanography, hydrology).

This course covers the fundamentals of atmosphere and ocean dynamics, and aims to put these in the context of climate change in the 21st century. large-scale atmospheric and oceanic circulation, the global energy balance, and the global energy balance, and the global hydrological cycle. We will introduce concepts of fluid dynamics and we will apply these to the vertical and horizontal motions in the atmosphere and ocean. Concepts covered include: hydrostatic law, buoyancy and convection, basic equations of fluid motions, Hadley and Ferrel cells in the atmosphere, thermohaline circulation, Sverdrup ocean flow, modes of climate variability (El-Nino, North Atlantic Oscillation, Southern Annular Mode). The course will incorporate student led discussions based on readings of the 2007 Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report and recent literature on climate change. Aimed at undergraduate or graduate students who have no prior knowledge of meteorology or oceanography or training in fluid mechanics. Previous background in calculus and/or introductory physics is helpful. This is a general course which spans many subdisciplines (fluid mechanics, atmospheric science, oceanography, hydrology).

The regulatory approach continues to be the foundation of environmental protection in the US. This course provides an overview of key environmental laws and regulations, and the processes used to write permits, conduct inspections and take enforcement actions. It is taught mainly from the perspective of the federal government and will also include perspectives from the states, NGOs, and the regulated community. Techniques used to set priorities, ensure fairness, and encourage compliance are included. Current issues in major regulatory programs will be reviewed and future directions will be discussed.

The course will explore all 4 sectors of the water business in the United States: The Drinking Water Industry, The Stormwater Utility, Water Resources (rivers, streams, reservoirs) Management and the Water Pollution Control Industry. The course will have 2 primary foci: 1. The influences on the industry from new technologies and infrastructure, acceptable levels of risk, public and private sector competition, climate change, the bottled water industry, resource recovery, rates and affordability and other influences will be investigated. 2. The management of a 21st century utility will be explored, including topics of organization and leadership, the role of environmentalism, infrastructure financing, water / wastewater treatment facility operations, public affairs and media, and designing a capital improvement program are examples of topic areas.