The School of Freshwater Sciences offers a graduate program of studies providing students with advanced training and education in four areas:
- Freshwater Policy and Economics
- Freshwater System Dynamics
- Human and Ecosystem Health
- Freshwater Technology
Each of these focus areas is interrelated with the others, and includes biologic, physical, technologic and policy aspects of freshwater.
The Master of Science program has two tracks designed to provide a strong foundation necessary for the training of graduates that will utilize novel approaches to the sustainable and equitable use and management of freshwater systems worldwide. The Doctor of Philosophy program is a research degree designed to explore and discover novel approaches to the sustainable and equitable use and management of freshwater systems worldwide. These programs will create an interdisciplinary atmosphere for training the next generation of scientists armed with the knowledge, skills and experience to anticipate and address the freshwater issues of the future.
Timely application is encouraged for students seeking financial support. When applying for admission, applicants should describe as completely as possible their specific research interests within freshwater sciences. Applicants are strongly encouraged to establish contact, before or during the application process, with Freshwater Sciences faculty members whose research interests are closest to their own, regarding the likelihood of one serving as the student’s major professor.
Admission Requirements
Application Deadlines
Application deadlines vary by program, please review the application deadline chart for specific programs. Other important dates and deadlines can be found by using the One Stop calendars.
MS Water Policy (Thesis) Admission Requirements
Prerequisite Coursework
The following prerequisites are strongly recommended:
- At least one semester coursework in three of the following at the college level: chemistry, biological sciences, physics, calculus, microeconomics, statistics, political science or advanced algebra.
- One additional semester of chemistry, biological sciences, physics, microeconomics, Geographic information systems, or statistics.
Admission will be considered based upon the applicant’s academic and/or professional background, proposed course of study, and possible additional coursework once in the degree program, should important preparatory gaps be identified.
Other Admission Requirements
An applicant must meet Graduate School requirements plus these departmental requirements to be considered for admission to the program:
- A bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, economics, geosciences, mathematics, physics, public policy, or other appropriate natural science, social science or engineering discipline.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s scholarship and/or research potential.
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Submission of a Reason Statement. Statements are used to determine the appropriateness of your educational and professional goals and serves as an example of your ability to express yourself in writing. Your reason statement should include:
- your reasons for pursuing graduate study
- your specific background interests and background in the field
- any relevant skills or training you've acquired
- any academic awards or honors you have received
- the name(s) of faculty members with whom your research interests most closely align
- Strongly recommended: Submission of scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination.
Credits and Courses
MS Water Policy (Thesis)
Minimum degree requirement is 31 graduate credits.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required courses | ||
| FRSHWTR 585G | Applied Water Statistics and Data Manipulation 1 | 3 |
| or ATM SCI 500G | Statistical Methods in Atmospheric Sciences | |
| FRSHWTR 781 | Water Law for Scientists and Policy Makers | 3 |
| FRSHWTR 890 | Science Communication | 3 |
| FRSHWTR 900 | Colloquium in Freshwater Sciences | 1 |
| Choose one of the following four courses: | 3 | |
| Aquatic Ecosystem Dynamics | ||
| Quantitative Freshwater Analysis | ||
| Environmental Health of Freshwater Ecosystems | ||
| Cost-Benefit Analysis for Environmental Resource Decisions | ||
| Master's Research and Thesis Credits | ||
| FRSHWTR 985 | Master's Research and Thesis (Up to 6 credits) | 6 |
| Electives | ||
| Select 12 credits in consultation with the students major advisor | 12 | |
| Total Credits | 31 | |
- 1
ECON 413G if needed in an "off" year.
Additional Requirements
Major Professor as Advisor
Students in the thesis track must be accepted by a faculty member who will serve as the initial major professor, and be primarily responsible for matriculation. Acceptance or agreement by a faculty member does not constitute formal acceptance into the School of Freshwater Sciences. Prospective thesis-track students are strongly encouraged to communicate with the prospective major professors early in the admission process. A plan of study is required that identifies the planned courses and timeline for completion of the degree. For the thesis track, this includes coursework and proposed research and is planned by the student in consultation with the major professor and must be approved by the Thesis Advisory Committee.
Thesis Advisory Committee
The membership of the Thesis Advisory Committee should be established by the end of the student’s first semester. The Committee must consist of three members including the M.S. student’s advisor as chair (or co-advisors as co-chairs who are graduate faculty members from the School of Freshwater Sciences) and at least two additional members, one of whom must come from outside the student’s research focus. Consideration will be given to the inclusion of one external, non-UWM member of the committee. If included as part of the committee, this person would participate in the thesis defense examination. The Committee must meet at least once a year to monitor the student’s academic and research progress.
Proposal Defense and Preliminary Oral Examination
The student must complete a formal oral defense of their written thesis proposal. This defense should be made before the end the third semester and will also serve as the preliminary oral examination. The Thesis Committee decides by simple majority whether the student passes, fails, or must repeat the examination or defense. At the discretion of the Committee, a student who fails the defense or examination may be allowed one additional attempt at successful completion.
Thesis
The thesis is conducted with oversight from the student’s Advisory Committee. The thesis research is expected to be of a caliber sufficient for publication in a peer-reviewed journal. Satisfactory completion of the thesis, including successful defense, is required for graduation. Up to six credits may be awarded for thesis research.
Please see the Graduate School thesis and dissertation formatting requirements for further information.
Thesis Defense
The thesis defense is a public presentation of the thesis research followed by an oral defense administered by the Advisory Committee.
Time Limit
All degree requirements must be completed within five years of initial enrollment.
Freshwater Sciences MS Learning Outcomes
Students graduating from the Freshwater Sciences, MS program will be able to:
- Communicate a broad knowledge of various sciences, technologies, and management issues to facilitate interdisciplinary approaches to solving problems related to freshwater.
- Collaborate with natural scientists, engineers, social scientists, managers, business leaders, policy makers, and the public.