Managing this precious resource is best accomplished by integrating scientific considerations such as water quality and water quantity with policy issues including water economics and water law. Laws and regulations at the federal, state, and local levels guide the direction of scientific research, as do social and economic concerns. As a result of such dynamic interactions, an interdisciplinary approach holds the most promise when attempting to solve often-intractable problems related to water resources.

As a student, you will benefit from this approach by:

• Taking classes in a variety of disciplines and conducting research with faculty in the Colleges of: Liberal Arts, Sciences, Urban Affairs, and Engineering, as well as the School of Public Health.
• Selecting faculty adviser(s) from a broader pool of five colleges/schools and Desert Research Institute, and M.S. research and research that match your interests and background.
• Interacting and in some cases working in research/projects with peers from different technical backgrounds.