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Info for Applicants

Information For Prospective Students

Introduction

Greg_River_small.jpgWelcome to my web page devoted to future generations! Most likely you are a highly motivated individual seeking a mentor to guide you on a career path in which you will use an interdisciplinary array of tools to help better understand and protect the Environment, with a focus on water resources. You realize that while political action and community involvement are useful for raising awareness about environmental problems, your strengths and interests suggest that you could help more by learning and then applying state-of-the-art science and technology to solve tangible problems.

Research Areas

As you can see from the research projects described on my web page, I have worked on a wide array of environmental problems in the past, ranging from the effects of acid-brine lake seepage on rural Indonesian communities to the design of river restoration projects in California. I have also worked hard to learn the disciplines of earth surface processes, civil engineering, hydrology, and ecology so that each environmental problem I examine can be addressed from an integrated perspective engaging all of these important fields. I believe my publication record illustrates my success as an interdisciplinarian, but I still have much to learn.

The research my students and I are conducting looks into the intertwinig of physical processes and ecological functions, primarily in rivers, and this insight is used to inform river management and engineering.  We do this using mechanistic approach that involves going deep into the details of how nature works, without fear of "complexity".  i do not agree that simple is better, because simplicity of human understanding is what has been collapsing the Earth's ecosystem. Thus, we work within a new paradigm that I call "near-census river science". I wrote a textbook in summer 2011 to teach my ideas broadly to people (see this link).  I also made video podcast lectures to go with the textbook to make a nearly self-guided class on this topic. To bring our best scientific ideas into practical usage, my group is building out workflows and software, so that our developments can serve beyond our own projects and into the future.

My students are working on individual topics related to this overall agenda. You can see what each student is doing by viewing the MS and PhD student pages of this website.

I have substantial funding to address some or all of these questions on an on-going basis.

Your Educational Course Work

To earn an advanced degree from UC Davis with me you need to either apply to the Hydrologic Science Graduate Group, the Ecology Graduate Group, or the Computer Science Graduate Group. Each group has a very different curriculum.  To give you a sense of what your course work would be like, here is some information on courses.

Typical Pre-requisites

  • Biology: 1-yr College sequence (equiv. to UCD courses BIO 1A,B,C)
  • Chemistry: 1-yr College sequence (equiv. to UCD courses CHE 2A,B,C)
  • Physics: 1-yr College sequence (equiv. to UCD courses PHY 9A,B)
  • Math: 1-yr of calculus; linear algebra, ordinary differential equations, multi-variate calculus (equiv. to UCD courses MAT 21A,B,C,D; 22A,B)
  • Statistics: 1 class (equiv. to UCD course ECI114)
  • Computer Science: 1 class in any programming language
  • Geology: 1 class in introductory geology

Typical Core courses taken here

Additional courses that I consider to be prep, but count toward your graduate degree:

  • ECI103- Fluid mechanics (if studying physical processes)
  • ECI141- Engineering hydraulics (if studying physical processes)
  • HYD134- Aqueous geochemistry
  • HYD151- Field methods in hydrology

Core courses:

  • HYD200- Hydrology seminar
  • HYD252- Hillslope geomorphology and sediment budgets
  • HYD254- Ecohydraulics
  • HYD273- Introduction to geostatistics
  • HYD299- Independent research
  • ECI260- Sediment transport (unavailable at this time)
  • ECI267- Water Resource Management
  • ECI276- Watershed hydrology (advanced theory)

General Electives:

Electives depend on the nature of a research project and the individual interests of a student. Listed below are examples of courses that have been taken by my students in the past.

  • HYD143- Hydrological processes in ecosystems
  • HYD142- Systems hydrology
  • HYD256- Geomorphology of estuaries and deltas
  • ESP155- Wetland ecology
  • WFC120- Biology and conservation of fishes
  • ECI10- Introduction to surveying
  • ECI121- Instrumentation, data visualization, and control
  • ECI240- Water quality
  • ECI264A- Transport processes in rivers and lakes
  • ECI264B- Transport processes in wetlands and estuaries
  • ECI275- Hydrology time series analysis
  • ECI277- Unsteady flow in surface waters
  • ATM115- Hydroclimatology
  • GEO206- Stratigraphic analysis
  • GEO148- Stable isotopes and geochemical tracers
  • GEO227- Stable isotope biogeochemistry

Advanced Electives for Ph.D. students:

The highest level of student achievement requires the highest level of basic understanding of nature. These additional courses are useful for those seeking to understand moving water.

  • ECH150A,B- Advanced fluid mechanics
  • HYD205- Continuum mechanics
  • MAE210A,B- Advanced fluid mechanics
  • MAE213- Advanced turbluence modeling

Final Thoughts

Graduate study in my group at UC Davis is a challenging yet rewarding enterprise. Each student project has real ramifications for the Environment, so your work will truly matter. In exchange for providing you with a highly progressive educational experience, I expect a commitment to hard work and desire for excellence.

I look forward to hearing from you by e-mail with any questions and learning about your individual interests.

Warmly,

Greg

>Info for Applicants
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Research
    • Scientific Highlights
    • Projects
      • Near-Census River Science
        • 2DMUs
        • Hydraulic Topography
        • Topographic Change Detection
        • Topographic Change Processes
        • Floodplain Inundation
        • Streamwood Storage
        • Upper South Yuba
        • Salmonid Migration
        • North Yuba River
        • Salmon Migratory Habitat
      • Geomorphic Covariance Structures
      • Synthetic River Valleys
      • Watershed Processes
        • Watershed Sediment Transport
        • Watershed Streamwood
        • Watershed Sedimentation
      • River Rehabilitation
        • Spawning Habitat Rehabilitation
        • Cobble/Gravel Injection
        • Streamwood Jams
        • Geomorphologist's Guide
      • Waterfalls
        • Horseshoe Falls
        • NSEAM 1.0
        • Hydraulic Jumps
        • Small Step Mapping
        • Small Step Hydraulics
      • Tidal Freshwater Deltas
        • TFD Introduction
        • TFD Vegetation
        • TFD Sediment Cycles
        • TFD Ecogeomorphology
        • TFD Hydrometeorology
        • TFD Sediment Transport
        • TFD Modeling
        • TFD Animal Response
        • Bush River, MD
        • Winter's Run, MD
      • Estuarine Processes
        • Salinas River Estuary
        • San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta
        • Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge
        • Long Island Sound
      • Functional Flows Model
      • Volcanic Lakes
        • VL Classification & Modeling
        • VL Bibliography
        • Keli Mutu
          • Remote Sampling Strategy
        • Lake Batur
        • Other Volcanic Lakes
      • Agricultural Sediment
      • Urban Rivers
      • Chaos in Hydrology
      • Channel Types
    • Methods
      • Net Sedimentation Tile (NST) Protocol
      • Sediment Core Processing Protocol
      • Vibracoring Protocol
      • Loss-On-Ignition Protocol
      • C-14 Sample Selection and Prep Protocol
      • Cation Sample Prep and Analysis Protocol
      • Grain Size Distirbution Protocol
      • MS Word Fig. code
      • Kite Blimp Method
      • Laser Granulometer Protocol
    • Software
      • River Builder
    • Sponsors
  • Teaching
    • SAS 004Y : Water in Popular Culture
      • Course Logistics
      • Sections
      • Syllabus
        • SAS004 Introduction
        • Water Scarcity
        • Water Scarcity Discussion
        • Floods
        • Flood Insurance Discussion
        • Water Quality
        • Water Quality Discussion
        • Water & Psychology
        • Water Psychology Discussion
        • Conquering Nature
        • Conquering Nature Discussion
        • Pro Poor Water
        • Pro Poor Water Discussion
        • Arctic Socio-Ecology
        • Indigenous Knowledge
        • Earth Stewardship
        • Earth Stewardship Discussion
        • Global Climate Change
        • Global Climate Change Discussion
        • Coastal Zone in Crisis
        • Coastal Zone Crisis Discussion
        • Course Review
      • Readings
      • Instructor
      • Classroom Behavior
      • Grading Policy
      • Movie Logs
      • Discussion Activities
      • Expository Essay
      • Study Guide
      • Online TA Help
    • ESM 125: River Conservation
      • Syllabus
        • River Conservation Introduction
        • Navigability For Title - Law
        • River Segmentation
        • Historical Hydrology
        • Indigenous River Conservation
        • Habitat Conservation Law
        • Aquatic Habitat
        • Riparian Habitat
        • Water Temperature
        • Sediment Sampling
        • Water Quality
        • CA State Water Boards
        • Biological Opinions
        • Setting Biological Goals
        • County-Level Water Management
        • River Restoration
        • Fish Passage & Fishways
        • Beaver-Assisted Restoration
        • Water Management Lessons
      • Instructor
      • Grading Policy
      • Readings
      • Exams
      • Individual Assignments
      • River Presentations
      • Video Response Canvas Quizzes
      • Reading Response Canvas Quizzes
    • HYD 143 : Ecohydrology
      • Instructor
      • Grading Policy
      • Syllabus
        • Chapter 1
        • Chapter 2
        • Chapter 3
        • Chapter 4
        • Chapter 5
        • Group Activity 1
        • Group Presentations 1
        • Chapter 6
        • Chapter 7
        • Chapter 8
        • Chapter 9
        • Group Activity 2
        • Group Presentations 2
        • Chapter 10
        • Chapter 11
        • Chapter 12
        • Chapter 13
        • Chapter 14
        • Chapter 15
        • Group Activity 3
        • Group Presentations 3
        • Chapter 16
        • Chapter 17
        • Chapter 18
        • Chapter 19
        • Chapter 20
        • Chapter 21
      • Online TA Help
      • Video Response Quizzes
      • Group Presentations
      • In-class Assignments
    • HYD 151 : Field Methods in Hydrology
      • Instructor
      • TA Info
      • Grading Policy
      • Syllabus
        • Chapter 21
        • Chapter 1
        • Chapter 2
        • Chapter 3
        • Chapter 4
        • Assignment 1
        • Chapter 5
        • Chapter 6
        • Assignment 2
        • Chapter 7
        • Chapter 8
        • Chapter 9
        • Assignment 3
        • Chapter 10
        • Chapter 12
        • Chapter 11
        • Chapter 13
        • Chapter 14
        • Assignment 4
        • Chapter 15
        • Chapter 16
        • Chapter 16b
        • Chapter 17
        • Field Equipment Showcase
        • Chapter 18
        • Chapter 19
        • Chapter 20
        • Chapter 22
        • Chapter 23
        • Chapter 24
        • Course Review
      • Readings
      • Online TA Help
      • Field Safety
    • HYD 252: Hillslope Geomorphology and Sediment Budgets
      • Instructor
      • Grading Policy
      • Syllabus
        • Week 1
        • Week 2
        • Week 3
        • Week 5
        • Week 6
        • Week 7
        • Week 8
        • Week 9
        • Week 10
        • Week 4
      • Readings
      • Safety
    • HYD 254Y: Ecohydraulics
      • Instructor
      • Grading Policy
      • Syllabus
        • Introduction to Near-Census River Science
        • Introduction to 2D Modeling
        • 2D Modeling Training
        • 2D modeling discussion & synthesis
        • 2D Modeling Terrain Variability
        • 2D Model Validation
        • Fluvial Landform Assessment
        • Ecological Analysis of Structure and Function
        • Hydrogeomorphic Processes
        • Parameterizing Boundary Roughness
        • Frontiers of River Science
      • Readings
      • Online TA Help
      • Lab Tutorials
    • HYD 256: Geomorphology of Estuaries and Deltas
      • Syllabus
        • Week 1
        • Week 2
        • Week 3
        • Week 4
        • Week 5
        • Week 6
        • Week 7
        • Week 8
        • Week 9
        • Week 10
      • Readings
      • Lab
      • Field Safety
      • Online TA Help
      • Grading Policy
    • Virtual River Methods
      • Syllabus
      • Instructor
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      • Assignments
      • Game Setup
  • People
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  • Info for Applicants
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GET IN TOUCH

  • 223 Veihmeyer Hall
    LAWR Dept., UC Davis
    One Shields Avenue
    Davis, CA 95616
  • (530) 302-5658
  • (530) 752-1552
  • gpast@ucdavis.edu
  • Google Scholar
  • Research Gate
  • ORCID: 0000-0002-1977-4175
  • Dr. Gregory B. Pasternack - Watershed Hydrology, Geomorphology, and Ecohydraulics
UC Davis