World of Water is an interdisciplinary course examining water as a critical global resource. It begins by exploring the origins, distribution, and cycles of freshwater sources, including surface water, groundwater, and atmospheric water. The course then details human utilization of water for agriculture, industry, energy, and domestic supply, analyzing the engineering and management systems involved. A major focus is on water pollution, covering pollutant types (chemical, biological, physical), their sources, transport, and impacts on ecosystems and human health. The curriculum concludes with an in-depth study of water scarcity, assessing its drivers—such as climate change, population growth, and mismanagement—and evaluating mitigation strategies like conservation, technological innovation, policy frameworks, and international cooperation. Throughout, the course integrates scientific, economic, and social perspectives.
