ENVS*3340 Environmental Data Analysis (University of Guelph, co-taught with Dr. Scott Krayenhoff)
This course is focused on finding, collecting and interpreting data of the physical environment, with a strong focus on R programming. Students access various online databases, such as meteorological and hydrological time series, and perform and interpret statistical analysis with the data. Issues around calibration and data collection are explored by performing calibrations and experiments. Students also make a numerical simulation of a dynamic environmental phenomenon, and learn to build and query a relational database with both qualitative and quantitative data.
ENVS*4030/ ENVS*6730 Ecohydrology (University of Guelph)
This course introduces the emerging discipline of ecohydrology, which focuses on interactions and feedbacks between the elements of the water cycle, ecosystems and organisms. The emphasis is on how hydrological processes regulate ecological ones but also on the mechanisms of ecological regulation of hydrological processes – which are often ignored in traditional hydrologic investigations. Students learn about complex dynamics prevailing in ecohydrological systems using a blend of theory, quantitative tools and case studies. Students also learn to synthesize recent literature, collect and analyze relevant data from open-access databases, and perform holistic ecohydrological system analysis through a term project.
ENVS*6730 Complex Environmental Systems (University of Guelph)
This course aims to provide students theoretical and hands-on experience in the creation and execution of various conceptual and numerical models relevant to environmental sciences in general and ecohydrology in particular. Given the complexity of the interactions between the elements of the water cycle, ecosystems and organisms, models are often used not only to test hypotheses about ecohydrological processes but also as a way to predict the behaviour of ecohydrological systems in response to climate or land-use change. Students will therefore be introduced to a large (although not exhaustive) selection of ecohydrological models and their applications. Students will learn how to select, calibrate and evaluate existing models but also how to design new models, this through topical discussions, computer-based assignments and a term project.
ENVS 828.3 Isotope Tracers in Catchment Hydrology (University of Saskatchewan, co-taught)
This course is hosted by the University of Saskatchewan and designed to be offered as a condensed graduate course (available for credit to any Graduate Student enrolled in a Canadian university) or as an international workshop (available to anyone who registers). Depending on the year, it is offered online only, or online as well as in person in Saskatoon (Saskatchewan, Canada). The goal of this course is to introduce attendees to the principles of stable isotope geochemistry applied to catchment hydrology, with a strong focus on the measurement, tracing, and linkage of stable isotope tracers in and among hydrologic and biological components of catchments. The application of stable isotope investigative tools to a variety of hydrological situations will also be discussed, from water cycle dynamics to runoff processes, biogeochemical processes, nutrient transport and ecohydrological questions. The course is led by Dr. Jeffrey McDonnell and a range of instructors, including Dr. Genevieve Ali. Additional information about upcoming offerings of this course can be found here.