Hydrology (MS)
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The department offers a program leading to the Master of Science (M.S. Thesis option) degree with a major in hydrology. The faculty offers competence in hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry, hydrometeorology, hydroclimatology, environmental hydrology, ground-water hydrology, surface-water hydrology, vadose zone hydrology, mathematical and statistical methods in hydrology (including stochastic and numerical modeling), water resources systems, and water resources policy.

The programs are designed for students with interests in the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the hydrologic cycle, as well as water resources systems, environmental studies, or water policy and the social sciences related to water resources. Students may concentrate in one or a combination of these fields but should acquire some proficiency in all aspects of hydrology and water resources. Research-based M.S. study programs are individually planned to meet the student's special interests and professional objectives. More information about faculty research areas of expertise may be found at the department website, Research Focus Areas.

M.S. Thesis option applicants need not have completed an undergraduate degree in hydrology and water resources; however, previous study in this field or a related field is beneficial. The programs have been designed to enable students who have completed fundamental undergraduate mathematics and science course work to enter directly.

All M.S. Thesis option students are expected to acquire basic computer programming and coding skills, although these undergraduate units are not included in the Master's Plan of Study.

All M.S. students must complete a field methods-field synthesis course sequence: HWRS 513 A (Spring) and HWRS 513B (Summer Presession) for a total of 3 units.

To meet the professional development requirement, M.S. Thesis option students are required to enroll in the HAS department's weekly seminar-colloquium, HWRS 595A (1 unit), for at least one semester during academic residency. These units are not included in the Master's Plan of Study.

Each M.S. Thesis option student must complete fundamental (core) courses in hydrology and water resources unless equivalent graduate courses have been taken elsewhere. Consult with the Director of Graduate Studies-Hydrology regarding potential graduate transfer course work for the Master's degree. For the M.S. Thesis option, a research-based Master's Thesis is required. A Master’s Final Oral Examination is required. More program information is available at the HAS department website, Master of Science in Hydrology.

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

Admissions Requirements:
Applications for Fall Semester admission must be completed by January 15.

Applications for Spring Semester admission must be completed by August 1 (for any student requiring a visa) or October 1 (for any student not requiring a visa).

Required: Applicants should upload required documents to the Graduate College application, including a Statement of Research Interests; a Resume or Curriculum Vitae; Three Letters of Recommendation (instructions provided); copy of Transcripts for all colleges and universities attended; Diploma Certificates (international applicants). All of these documents may be uploaded and attached to the Graduate College online application.

At the Graduate College website, click on Apply-Now to begin your application.

Undergraduate course prerequisites in science and mathematics must be completed with a grade of C (or equivalent) or higher. Grades of D or lower are considered to be deficient. Courses include:

Physical Geology: 1 semester
College Chemistry: 2-semester sequence, Inorganic/Analytical
College Physics: 2-semester sequence, 1 course in Mechanics; 1 course in Electricity/Magnetism or Optics/Thermodynamics
Fluid mechanics: 1 semester
Mathematics: Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Vector Calculus, Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
Engineering Statistics or Probability Theory: 1 semester

Admissions Deadlines:
Domestic Applicants:

Fall: January 15
Spring: October 1

International Applicants:

Fall: January 15
Spring: August 1

Standardized Tests:
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS ONLY: English Proficiency Requirement. Individual scores must also be dated within 2 years of the enrollment term to be considered valid.

Test of English as a Foreign Language(link is external) (TOEFL) - minimum score of 79 iBT (or 60 on the revised PBT with no section score lower than 15).
International English Language Testing System(link is external) (IELTS) - minimum composite score of 7, with no subject area below a 6
Pearson PTE Academic(link is external) - minimum score of 60
Graduate English Language Endorsement(link is external) from the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL)
CEPT Full Academic test (link is external)- offered by our Center for English as a Second Language (CESL), minimum Total score of 110.

DEGREE COMPLETION
Minimum Credit Units: 31

Required Core Coursework:
Minimum credits: 31

Master's Core coursework (6 units required):

HWRS 518 Fundamentals in Subsurface Hydrology (3)
HWRS 519 Fundamentals in Surface Hydrology (3)

Master's Core coursework (6 units required):

HWRS 517A Fundamentals of Water Quality (3)
HWRS 528 Fundamentals: Systems Approach to Hydrologic Modeling (3)
(Optional) One of the following three courses may be substituted for 517A OR 528 (but not both):

HWRS/AREC 575 Economics of Water, Environmental Markets/Policies (3), HWRS/AREC 576 Natural Resources Law and Economics (3), OR HWRS/LAW 641 Water Law (3)

Language requirements: None

Other requirements: 1) HWRS Primary Faculty Advanced Elective Requirement:

Advanced elective course work (12 units total) must be approved by the department. While the study of hydrology and water resources is interdisciplinary in nature, not all crosslisted courses may be used in the Master's Plan of Study. (Crosslisted courses are those in which HWR is not the home department and the course instructors reside in other departments.) Students must complete at least 9 of 12 required units with HWRS Primary Faculty instructors. More information about required courses and pre-approved non-HWRS department courses is available in the HAS department's Master of Science Program Guide. See Elective Coursework section below.

2) Field Methods-Field Synthesis course sequence requirement (3 units required):

HWRS 513A Field Methods (2) Spring
HWRS 513B Field Synthesis (1) Summer Presession

Elective Coursework:
Advanced elective course work (12 units total) must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies-Hydrology. While the study of hydrology and water resources is interdisciplinary in nature, not all crosslisted courses in the catalog may be used in the Master's Plan of Study. (Crosslisted courses are those in which HWR is not the home department and the course instructors reside in other departments.) Students must complete at least 9 of 12 required units with HWRS Primary Faculty instructors. More information about required courses and pre-approved non-HWRS department courses is available in the HAS department's Master of Science Program Guide.

Potential courses include (3-unit Lecture format unless noted otherwise):

HWRS 503 Subsurface Fluid Dynamics
HWRS 504 Numerical Methods in Subsurface Hydrology
HWRS 505 Vadose Zone Hydrology
HWRS 516 Hydrologic Transport Processes
HWRS 521 Water Resources Systems, Planning, Management
HWRS 524 Hydroclimatology
HWRS 531 Hydrogeology (Lecture and Lab, 4 units total)
HWRS 532 Hydrogeology Laboratory (3-unit Lab format)
HWRS 535 Advanced Subsurface Hydrology
HWRS 543A Risk Assessment
HWRS 549 Statistical Hydrology
HWRS 555 Introduction to Remote Sensing
HWRS 570 Computer Simulation of Water Quality Processes
HWRS 573 Hydrology in Water Resources Management
HWRS 580 Isotope Tracers in Hydrology
HWRS 582 Groundwater Modeling
HWRS 596G Water-Rock-Microbial Processes
HWRS 603 Well Hydraulics Analysis
HWRS 630 Advanced Catchment Hydrology
HWRS 642 Analysis Hydrologic Systems
HWRS 645 Stochastic Methods in Subsurface Hydrology
HWRS 655 Stochastic Methods in Surface Hydrology
Other course approved as elective by Director of Graduate Studies (e.g. new course in catalog)

Additional Requirments:
Professional Development Requirements:

Enrollment for 1 unit in HWRS 595A (Colloquium) at least one semester during academic residence

You may enroll more than one semester, but this is not required
Do not include unit(s) on Plan of Study

Presentation (oral or poster format) of thesis research at an approved regional, national, or international conference

Submit details of presentation to the Director of Graduate Studies-Hydrology and include the name, date, and location of the conference, the title of the presentation, and the format type (oral or poster)
Submit URL of the conference program or hard copy documentation with the presentation listing

Final Oral Exam (Defense of Thesis)

Committee membership (faculty members) must be approved by department

Thesis Archival

Archival of the thesis manuscript with the Graduate College is required

Graduate Student Handbook URL for this probram:
http://has.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/2019_ms_hwrs_graduate_program_guide_eff_fall2019_rev_23aug2019.pdf
Hydrology (MS) - Accelerated Master's Program
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The department offers a program leading to the Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a major in hydrology. The faculty offers competence in hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry, hydrometeorology, hydroclimatology, environmental hydrology, ground-water hydrology, surface-water hydrology, vadose zone hydrology, mathematical and statistical methods in hydrology (including stochastic and numerical modeling), water resources systems, and water resources policy.

The programs are designed for students with interests in the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the hydrologic cycle, as well as water resources systems, environmental studies, or water policy and the social sciences related to water resources. Students may concentrate in one or a combination of these fields but should acquire some proficiency in all aspects of hydrology and water resources. Research-based M.S. study programs are individually planned to meet the student's special interests and professional objectives.

For completion of combined Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees, course sequencing and timing is very important because enrollment for graduate-level courses is done while in undergraduate status and graduate status. Students should discuss course enrollment with the Director of Graduate Studies-Hydrology prior to enrolling while in both statuses.

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

Admissions Requirements:
Applications for Fall Semester admission must be completed by January 15.

Applications for Spring Semester admission must be completed by August 1 (for any student requiring a visa) or October 1 (for any student not requiring a visa).

The GRE exam is no longer required for any student, domestic or international.

Required: Applicants should upload required documents to the Graduate College application, including a Statement of Research Interests; a Resume or Curriculum Vitae; Three Letters of Recommendation (instructions provided); copy of Transcripts for all colleges and universities attended; Diploma Certificates (international applicants). All of these documents may be uploaded and attached to the Graduate College online application.

At the Graduate College website, click on Apply-Now to begin your application.

Undergraduate course prerequisites in science and mathematics must be completed with a grade of C (or equivalent) or higher. Grades of D or lower are considered to be deficient when applied to a graduate degree program. Courses include:

Physical Geology: 1 semester
College Chemistry: 2-semester sequence, Inorganic/Analytical
College Physics: 2-semester sequence, 1 course in Mechanics; 1 course in Electricity/Magnetism or Optics/Thermodynamics
Fluid mechanics: 1 semester
Mathematics: Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Vector Calculus, Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
Engineering Statistics or Probability Theory: 1 semester

Admissions Deadlines:
Domestic Applicants:

Fall: January 15
Spring: October 1

International Applicants:

Fall: January 15
Spring: August 1

Standardized Tests:
The GRE is not required for this program.

DEGREE COMPLETION
Minimum Credit Units: 31

Required Core Coursework:
Minumum credits: 30
Core coursework: HWRS 517A Fundamentals of Water Quality
HWRS 518 Fundamentals in Subsurface Hydrology
HWRS 519 Fundamentals in Surface Hydrology
HWRS 528 Fundamentals: Systems Approach to Hydrologic Modeling

Language requirements: None

Elective Coursework:
Advanced elective course work (12 units total) must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies-Hydrology. While the study of hydrology and water resources is interdisciplinary in nature, not all crosslisted courses in the catalog may be used in the Master's Plan of Study. (Crosslisted courses are those in which HWR is not the home department and the course instructors reside in other departments.) Students must complete at least 9 of 12 required units with HWRS Primary Faculty instructors. More information about required courses and pre-approved non-HWRS department courses is available in the HAS department's Master of Science Program Guide.

Potential courses include (3-unit Lecture format unless noted otherwise):

HWRS 503 Subsurface Fluid Dynamics
HWRS 504 Numerical Methods in Subsurface Hydrology
HWRS 505 Vadose Zone Hydrology
HWRS 516 Hydrologic Transport Processes
HWRS 521 Water Resources Systems, Planning, Management
HWRS 524 Hydroclimatology
HWRS 531 Hydrogeology (Lecture and Lab, 4 units total)
HWRS 532 Hydrogeology Laboratory (3-unit Lab format)
HWRS 535 Advanced Subsurface Hydrology
HWRS 543A Risk Assessment
HWRS 549 Statistical Hydrology
HWRS 555 Introduction to Remote Sensing
HWRS 570 Computer Simulation of Water Quality Processes
HWRS 573 Hydrology in Water Resources Management
HWRS 580 Isotope Tracers in Hydrology
HWRS 582 Groundwater Modeling
HWRS 596G Water-Rock-Microbial Processes
HWRS 603 Well Hydraulics Analysis
HWRS 630 Advanced Catchment Hydrology
HWRS 642 Analysis Hydrologic Systems
HWRS 645 Stochastic Methods in Subsurface Hydrology
HWRS 655 Stochastic Methods in Surface Hydrology
Other course approved as elective by Director of Graduate Studies (e.g. new course in catalog)

Additional Requirments:
Advanced Elective Requirement

Advanced elective course work must be approved by the department. While the study of hydrology and water resources is interdisciplinary in nature, not all crosslisted courses may be used in the Master's Plan of Study. (Crosslisted courses are those in which HWR is not the home department, i.e. course instructors reside in another department.) The majority of course work must be completed with primary HWR department faculty members.

Field Methods-Field Synthesis Requirement

The following field methods-synthesis course sequence is required (3 units total):

HWRS 513A Field Methods (2 units) & HWRS 513B Field Synthesis (1 unit)

Professional Development Requirements (two requirements)

Enrollment in HWRS 595A section 001, the department's weekly colloquium, for a minimum of one semester. These units are not included in Master's Plan of Study.

AND

Paper or poster presentation of Master's Thesis research at an approved regional or national conference. No academic credit is awarded for paper or poster presentation.

Final Examination Requirement

A final oral examination with the thesis director and two other approved faculty members is required. While the initial presentation may be open to the public (at the discretion of the student and his or her committee members), the examination by faculty committee, or defense of thesis, is closed.

Thesis Archival

Electronic submission of the Master's Thesis to the Graduate College and archival with ProQuest UMI is required. The department does not maintain a separate archive, although members of the student's faculty committee may request a copy of the manuscript.

Graduate Student Handbook URL for this probram:
http://has.arizona.edu/sites/has/files/amp_hwr_handbook_2017.pdf
Hydrology (MS) - Non-thesis Option
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
The department offers a program leading to the Master of Science (Non-Thesis option) degree with a major in hydrology. The faculty offers competence in hydrogeology, hydrogeochemistry, hydrometeorology, hydroclimatology, environmental hydrology, ground-water hydrology, surface-water hydrology, vadose zone hydrology, mathematical and statistical methods in hydrology (including stochastic and numerical modeling), water resources systems, and water resources policy.

The programs are designed for students with interests in the physical, chemical, and biological aspects of the hydrologic cycle, as well as water resources systems, environmental studies, or water policy and the social sciences related to water resources. Students may concentrate in one or a combination of these fields but should acquire some proficiency in all aspects of hydrology and water resources. Master's Non-Thesis study programs are individually planned to meet each student's professional objectives. Students in the Non-Thesis option are required to complete a Master's Report (professional-level paper). (They are not required to complete a research-based Master's Thesis.)

M.S. applicants need not have completed an undergraduate degree in hydrology and water resources; however, previous study in this field or a related field is beneficial. The programs have been designed to enable students who have completed fundamental undergraduate mathematics and science course work to enter directly.

All M.S. students are expected to acquire basic computer programming and coding skills, although these undergraduate units are not included in the Master's Plan of Study.

All M.S. students must complete a field methods-field synthesis course sequence: HWRS 513 A (Spring) and HWRS 513B (Summer Presession) for a total of 3 units.

To meet the professional development requirement, M.S. Non-Thesis option students are required to attend the HAS department's weekly seminar-colloquium through enrollment in HWRS 595A (1 unit) for at least one semester during academic residency. This unit is not included in the course list required for the Master's Plan of Study.

M.S. Non-Thesis option students must complete fundamental (core) courses in hydrology and water resources unless equivalent graduate courses have been taken elsewhere. Consult with the Director of Graduate Studies-Hydrology regarding potential graduate transfer course work for the Master's degree. A Master’s Final Oral Examination is required. More program information is available at the HAS department website, Master of Science in Hydrology Non-Thesis.

ADMISSIONS INFORMATION

Admissions Requirements:
Applications for Fall Semester admission must be completed by January 15.

Applications for Spring Semester admission must be completed by August 1 (for any student requiring a visa) or October 1 (for any student not requiring a visa).

If GRE scores are close to the minimum required, we recommend you apply. Other factors in your application may help mitigate this requirement.

Required: Applicants should upload required documents to the Graduate College application, including a Statement of Research Interests; a Resume or Curriculum Vitae; Three Letters of Recommendation (instructions provided); copy of Transcripts for all colleges and universities attended; Diploma Certificates (international applicants). All of these documents may be uploaded and attached to the Graduate College online application.

At the Graduate College website, click on Apply-Now to begin your application.

Undergraduate course prerequisites in science and mathematics must be completed with a grade of C (or equivalent) or higher. Grades of D or lower are considered to be deficient. Courses include:

Physical Geology: 1 semester
College Chemistry: 2-semester sequence, Inorganic/Analytical
College Physics: 2-semester sequence, 1 course in Mechanics; 1 course in Electricity/Magnetism or Optics/Thermodynamics
Fluid mechanics: 1 semester
Mathematics: Calculus 1, Calculus 2, Vector Calculus, Introduction to Ordinary Differential Equations
Engineering Statistics or Probability Theory: 1 semester

Admissions Deadlines:
Domestic Applicants:

Fall: January 15
Spring: October 1

International Applicants:

Fall: January 15
Spring: August 1

Standardized Tests:
Minimum TOEFL: 550
Minimum IELTS: 7

DEGREE COMPLETION
Minimum Credit Units: 31

Required Core Coursework:
Minimum credits: 31

Master's Core coursework (6 units required):

HWRS 518 Fundamentals in Subsurface Hydrology (3)
HWRS 519 Fundamentals in Surface Hydrology (3)

Master's Core coursework (6 units required):

HWRS 517A Fundamentals of Water Quality (3)
HWRS 528 Fundamentals: Systems Approach to Hydrologic Modeling (3)
(Optional) One of the following three courses may be substituted for 517A OR 518 (not both):

HWRS/AREC 575 Economics of Water, Environmental Markets/Policies (3), HWRS/AREC 576 Natural Resources Law and Economics (3), OR HWRS/LAW 641 Water Law (3)

Language requirements: None

Other requirements: HWRS Primary Faculty Advanced Electives:

Advanced elective course work (15 units total) must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies-Hydrology. While the study of hydrology and water resources is interdisciplinary in nature, not all crosslisted courses may be used in the Master's Plan of Study. (Crosslisted courses are those in which HWR is not the home department and the course instructors reside in other departments.) Students must complete at least 12 of 15 required units with HWRS Primary Faculty instructors. More information about required courses and pre-approved non-HWRS courses is available in the HAS department's Master of Science Program Guide. See Elective Coursework section below.

Elective Coursework:
Advanced elective course work (15 units total) must be approved by the Director of Graduate Studies-Hydrology. While the study of hydrology and water resources is interdisciplinary in nature, not all crosslisted courses in the catalog may be used in the Master's Plan of Study. (Crosslisted courses are those in which HWR is not the home department and the course instructors reside in other departments.) Students must complete at least 12 of 15 required units with HWRS Primary Faculty instructors. More information about required courses and pre-approved non-HWRS department courses is available in the HAS department's Master of Science Program Guide.

Potential courses include (3-unit Lecture format unless noted otherwise):

HWRS 503 Subsurface Fluid Dynamics
HWRS 504 Numerical Methods in Subsurface Hydrology
HWRS 505 Vadose Zone Hydrology
HWRS 516 Hydrologic Transport Processes
HWRS 521 Water Resources Systems, Planning, Management
HWRS 524 Hydroclimatology
HWRS 531 Hydrogeology (Lecture and Lab, 4 units total)
HWRS 532 Hydrogeology Laboratory (3-unit Lab format)
HWRS 535 Advanced Subsurface Hydrology
HWRS 543A Risk Assessment
HWRS 549 Statistical Hydrology
HWRS 555 Introduction to Remote Sensing
HWRS 570 Computer Simulation of Water Quality Processes
HWRS 573 Hydrology in Water Resources Management
HWRS 580 Isotope Tracers in Hydrology
HWRS 582 Groundwater Modeling
HWRS 596G Water-Rock-Microbial Processes
HWRS 603 Well Hydraulics Analysis
HWRS 630 Advanced Catchment Hydrology
HWRS 642 Analysis Hydrologic Systems
HWRS 645 Stochastic Methods in Subsurface Hydrology
HWRS 655 Stochastic Methods in Surface Hydrology
Other course approved as elective by Director of Graduate Studies (e.g. new course in catalog)

Additional Requirments:
Field Methods-Field Synthesis

The following field methods-synthesis course sequence is required :

HWRS 513A Field Methods (2) Spring
HWRS 513B Field Synthesis (1) Summer Presession

Professional Development Requirements

The following activities are required:

M.S. students are required to enroll in the HAS department's weekly seminar-colloquium (invited speaker series), HWRS 595A (1 unit), for at least one semester during academic residency. These units are not included in Master's Plan of Study.

AND

M.S. students are required to make a poster or oral presentation of their Master's Report project at an approved conference. No academic credit is awarded for paper or poster presentation. Presentation at the HAS department's annual student research symposium, El Dia del Agua y la Atmosfera, satisfies this requirement.

Final Examination Requirement

A final oral examination with the professional project director and two other approved faculty members is required. While the initial presentation may be open to the public (at the discretion of the student and his or her committee members), the examination by the faculty committee is closed.

Approved Master's Report

No archival of the final approved Master's Report with the Graduate College (ProQuest) is required.

Graduate Student Handbook URL for this probram:
http://has.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/2019_ms_hwrs_graduate_program_guide_eff_fall2019_rev_23aug2019.pdf

HYDMS - Hydrology

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Overview

Program Requirements