Hydrologic Sciences M.S. & Ph.D.
267 Paul Laxalt Mineral Research
(775) 784-6469
The Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences offers Masters and doctoral degrees in both Hydrogeology and Hydrology. The program provides training to scientists and engineers in the broad areas of ground water, watershed sciences, water quality and water treatment, restoration methodologies and water resource evaluation. The degrees are structured to provide a foundation in water resources and emphasis in a student’s chosen area or areas. Several areas of emphasis are available, including ground water modeling, subsurface contaminant transport and surface water hydraulics and geomorphology, hydroecology and surface water quality management. Students may also define their own areas of emphasis by developing a curriculum from a breadth of graduate courses offered across the campus. The Program is strongly interdisciplinary, with faculty support and participation from the College of Science, the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, the College of Engineering, the Desert Research Institute, the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Forest Service. The curriculum and course offerings represent a blending of engineering and science based materials. Students pursuing a Master of Science degree may choose a thesis option (Plan A) or non-thesis option (Plan B) and should consult with their advisors and the Program Director for guidance on the best choice for their individual needs. Research and teaching assistantships, as well as several fellowships, are routinely made available to students accepted into the program at both the Masters and doctoral levels.
Students admitted to the Program should have a bachelor of science degree or equivalent in engineering, biology, chemistry, physics, geology, natural resources or ecology. Prospective graduate students should have GRE scores exceeding 500 each in verbal and quantitative, undergraduate GPA’s above 3.0 and international students should have TOEFL scores exceeding 600. In addition, the Program requires undergraduate completion of 2 semesters each of physics and chemistry as well as mathematics through differential equations and probability/statistics. Students entering with mathematics through Calculus III can fulfill the mathematics requirements with MATH 767 during their first semester of graduate study. Any deficiencies are to be made up during the first year of graduate studies and students are encouraged to consult with their advisors and the Program office for guidance on the appropriate courses for fulfilling deficiencies.
Application deadlines and additional information can be found at the Hydrologic Sciences web site (www.hydro.unr.edu) and students are encouraged to contact the Program office for more information on the availability of teaching and research assistantships.
Candidates for both the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in either Hydrogeology or Hydrology must satisfy all general requirements of the Graduate School. The curriculum is designed to guarantee a common breadth of experience through a set of shared fundamental core courses, required of all Hydrologic Sciences students. A grade of B- or better is required for each of the shared fundamental core courses and these courses can only be retaken once. Students then concentrate through a series of electives that define the Hydrology and Hydrogeology degrees. The shared fundamental core courses are listed below:
Note(s):
Students having previously completed the courses above or their equivalents may request exemptions for the required coursework. Masters of Science degrees in Hydrogeology require a minimum of 30 course credits beyond the bachelors degree (32 credits non-thesis.) Masters of science degrees in Hydrology require a minimum of 31 credit beyond the Bachelors degree (32 credits non-thesis.) The doctoral degrees in either Hydrology or Hydrogeology require 72 credits beyond the Bachelors degree, successful completion of a qualifying examination after the first year of study and 1 credit of Comprehensive Examination. The Comprehensive Examination credit may count toward the required 30 credits of 700-level coursework. Note that the Hydrologic Sciences Graduate Program does not generally accept students with only Bachelors degrees directly into the doctoral degree programs; rather, these students are first accepted into the Master’s Program and may be considered for the doctoral degree after one year of study. Students interested in proceeding directly to the doctoral degree should contact the Program Director for further guidance.
Residents of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, North and South Dakota, Oregon, Utah, Washington or Wyoming, who qualify under the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE), may be awarded an out-of-state tuition fee waiver. In addition, all students supported on research or teaching assistantships receive tuition waivers. Prospective students are encouraged to contact the program office at http://www.hydro.unr.edu for more information about assistantships and fellowship deadlines.
Applications for admission to the program are processed twice per year; for fall semester admission, applications and letters of reference must be received by January 10. For spring semester admission, applications and letters of reference must be received by September 10. Applications are to be submitted to the Graduate School, while letters of recommendation and a letter of intent, stating interests and expectations, should be sent directly to the Graduate Program Office (Mail Stop 175). Electronic applications and detailed application instructions are available at: http://www.hydro.unr.edu
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