Coordinating and Implementing a Graduate Course on Interdisciplinary Modeling for Water-Related Issues

The science and management of water-related issues is inherently interdisciplinary, involving hydrology, atmospheric science, water quality, geochemistry, sociology, economics, environmental science, and ecology. Although these issues are increasingly being addressed in an interdisciplinary manner, education and training in interdisciplinary approaches in higher education face challenges that include: engaging faculty from different disciplines to teach a course, attracting students from different disciplines to participate in a course, and finding effective teaching approaches that work for diverse academic backgrounds. A graduate-level course on interdisciplinary modeling for water-related issues was recently offered by 17 faculty from three institutions with an overall objective of engaging interdisciplinary discourse in modeling aquatic ecosystems. Students were introduced to models available in different disciplines and how such models might be applied together to address water-related issues, and issues in implementing interdisciplinary approaches. Students also worked in interdisciplinary teams to apply interdisciplinary modeling approaches. This presentation describes the development, implementation, and outcomes of the course, including some of the challenges, rewards, and lessons learned.