CES Major Introduces New Deltaic Sciences Concentration

BATON ROUGE - In 1922, LSU became the first in the world to study river deltas. Much has changed over the past century or so, but coastal and environmental scientists at LSU continue to be at the forefront of the study of these ecologically and economically vital areas.

Now, the new Deltaic Sciences concentration—the latest of six in CC&E’s Coastal Environmental Sciences, or CES, major--will give undergraduates the opportunity to learn more about the specific issues impacting deltaic ecosystems. This concentration was developed with the support of the Keck Foundation.

It’s a natural fit for a major at university situated near one of the world’s major river deltas. The issues faced by the Mississippi River Delta, from heavy industrial use to increasing sea level rise, are the same challenges faced by similar areas around the world. Despite this fact, there are few programs on the national stage working to prepare students to confront these problems.

"The course and topics students will address in the Deltaic Sciences concentration prepare them for entering the workforce to tackle some of the most pressing problems in deltaic systems"

Matt Hiatt, Assistant Professor in the Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences

“The course and topics students will address in the Deltaic Sciences concentration prepare them for entering the workforce to tackle some of the most pressing problems in deltaic systems like sea level rise, land loss, and the increasing interactions between the human and natural environments,” said Department of Oceanography & Coastal Sciences Assistant Professor Matt Hiatt.

“Of course this is an urgent situation in Louisiana, but it is also increasingly an issue worldwide. Nearly half a billion people worldwide make their homes near or around deltas, and most deltaic landscapes are degrading,” he continued.  

Like all CES concentrations, Deltaic Sciences will provide both a foundation of math and hard sciences and an interdisciplinary perspective. It has been built for students interested in estuarine sciences, coastal wetlands and restoration as well as environmental policy, and will offer a range of courses to educate students about deltaic issues.

In addition to courses offered by the DOCS and the Department of Environmental Sciences, students will be able to take courses in urban design and planning, in deltaic geology and in global issues in environmental engineering, to name a few.

“Issues surrounding deltas are inherently interdisciplinary,” said Hiatt. “We believe the concentration will prepare students to be problem solvers and leaders who are well-versed in ecology, geomorphology, coastal science, climate change, among others.”

The Deltaic Sciences concentration is one of five concentrations available to students in the CES major. Each concentration allows students to focus on a specific area of interest, as they take both required classes and electives.