Program handbook

Updated August, 2024

The following document represents the program handbook for the current academic year only. For archived versions of previous handbooks, please contact the program director. All forms mentioned in the program handbook can be found on the forms page of the Graduate School of the University of Nevada, Reno (the University): https://www.unr.edu/grad/students/student-academics/forms.

Please read through this handbook and familiarize yourself with the relevant sections. If you have questions, reach out to your adviser or the program director. Your adviser and committee members are your primary source of guidance in our program.

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I. Central theme and mission statement

The Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences (program) fosters a community of interdisciplinary scientists who gain foundational knowledge, research experience, and professional training to address challenges across the diverse fields connected by water in the Earth system. The mission of our program is to provide fundamental and advanced academic training for students to become hydrologists and hydrogeologists who will understand and address critical water challenges facing the world.

II. Program description

The Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences is an interdisciplinary graduate program that focuses on studies of water in the environment, including its role in geologic and biogeochemical processes, ecosystem functions, climate science, and society. It has been a collaboration between the University and the Desert Research Institute (DRI) since being founded by Dr. George “Burke” Maxey in 1962. Faculty at both the University and DRI teach, advise, and provide research support for students in our program. The University faculty participate from multiple departments from the College of Science; the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources; the College of Engineering; and the College of Liberal Arts. Our program reaches beyond academia, with faculty from multiple local agencies working on diverse water-related topics. See participating faculty.

Admission

Applications must be submitted using the Graduate School’s application process (https://www.unr.edu/grad/admissions). Applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. The preferred application deadline for Fall semester is December 15. The preferred application deadline for Spring semester is July 15.

Degrees offered

We offer M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in both Hydrology and Hydrogeology. The Hydrology degrees offer a specialization in Hydroclimatology. The M.S. degree has both thesis and non-thesis professional options. The Ph.D. requires a dissertation. We also administer an accelerated B.S.-to-M.S. program. See section XII for more information.

Hydrology: Hydrology focuses on interactions of surface water in the Earth's processes, especially surface water quality, surface water-atmosphere interactions, interactions of surface water and groundwater, and surface water-vegetation interactions. Possible areas of emphasis for students include watershed hydrology, snow hydrology, isotope hydrology, water policy and governance, aquatic ecology, and stream biogeochemistry. Students following the Hydroclimatology specialization focus on interdisciplinary processes between the climate system and hydrologic cycle.

Hydrogeology: Hydrogeology focuses on subsurface interactions of water in the earth's processes, especially in the vadose and saturated zones below the earth's surface. Possible areas of emphasis for students include groundwater contaminant transport, geochemical evolution of groundwaters, nutrient transport processes, vadose zone hydrology, and groundwater policy and governance, groundwater resource evaluation, and groundwater modeling.

III. Degree requirements

Requirements for degrees are listed in the University’s Catalog:

Students who have previously taken one or more of the core courses may request to waive them. Consult with your adviser, the course instructor, and the program director for more information.

Program policy on deficits

Students who were admitted to the program with a deficit must make it up by taking the appropriate undergraduate-level course. These courses do not count toward the completion of degrees and cannot be included in the Program of Study.

Probation and dismissal

Please see the Graduate School's Academic Standing and Dismissal Policy.

Continuous enrollment

To remain in good standing, all graduate students are required to enroll in a minimum of three (3) graduate credits each fall and spring semester until they graduate. Please see the Graduate School's policy on Discontinuation for Non-Enrollment on our academic standing page.

Leave of absence and reinstatement

Students in good standing may request a leave of absence by completing a leave of absence form during which time they are not required to maintain continuous registration.

When a student has been absent for one semester or more without an approved leave of absence, they may request reinstatement via the reinstatement form.

IV. Transfer credits

This information refers to credits transferred from another institution. Credits completed at the University in another program or as a Graduate Special do not need to be transferred. Transfer credit can be requested on the Graduate Credit Transfer Evaluation Request form and must be signed by the student, major adviser, and graduate director. Transfer credits applied to a master’s program must comply with the time limitation on master’s work (six years). Thus, if a student took a course five years before admission, they would have to complete the degree within one year for the course to apply to the degree.

A maximum of 24 graduate credits from a completed master’s degree may be applied to the doctoral program. Only courses with grades “B” or better may be transferred to a doctoral degree program.

V. Timeline for degree completion

Below is a recommended plan, which can be used as a guide. You should download, review, and complete the checklist for your degree program.

Note that for both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees:

During spring and fall semesters, students on Teaching or Research Assistantships may take up to 9 total credits without incurring overload charges. More information on the University’s overloads policy can be found in the Graduate Assistantship Handbook.

All students completing their degrees must complete the online Graduate School

M.S. in Hydrology or Hydrogeology for students following the thesis option

Year 1

First semester

Required courses:
- All: GPHS 782 Hydrology/Hydrogeology Seminar (1)
- All: GE 684 Ground Water Hydrology (3)
- Hydrogeology: GE 614 Hydrologic Fluid Dynamics (3)
- Hydrology: Elective (3)
- Hydroclimatology: Elective (3)
Complete and file the Declaration of Advisor/Major Advisor/Committee Chair form
Conduct a literature review
Formulate initial research hypotheses with advisor
If applicable, transfer previous graduate credits through the Graduate School
If applicable, complete waiver document in coordination with advisor, course instructor, and program director.

Total credits = 7 (24 remaining credits)

Second semester

Required courses:
- All: NRES 682 Small Watershed Hydrology (4)
- Hydrogeology: GEOL 616 Environmental Geochemistry (3) OR CEE 658 - Environmental Chemistry Concepts and Design (3)
- Hydrology: Elective (3)
Hydroclimatology: GEOG/ATMS 621 Climatology Recommended:
- Thesis credits (1-3) or elective (1-3).
Complete committee selection
Conduct data collection/analysis as appropriate for their research project
Continue literature review
Write thesis proposal

Total credits = 9 (15 remaining credits)v

Summer

Complete thesis proposal and provide it to the committee for review
Conduct data collection/analysis as appropriate for their research project

Year two

Third semester

Required courses:
- All: GPHS 782 Hydrology/Hydrogeology Seminar* (2)
Recommended:
- Hydrology, Hydroclimatology or Hydrogeology Electives (3-6)
- Thesis Credits (1-4)
Conduct data collection/analysis
Hold a Research Proposal meeting and discuss the Program of Study with the committee
File completed Program of Study form with the Graduate School
Total credits = 8-9 (6-7 remaining credits)

Fourth semester

Recommended:
- Hydrology or Hydrogeology Elective (3-6)
- Thesis Credits (1-4)
Complete thesis (see thesis filing guidelines)
File Application for Graduation form with the Graduate School
Send the completed thesis to your committee members, two weeks before the defense
Send out notice of thesis defense to the GPHS director, two weeks before the defense
Defend thesis
File the Notice of Completion form
Total credits = 6-7 (0 remaining credits)

Graduate!

Note: All students completing their degrees need to schedule an exit interview with the GPHS director and the exit survey (online) through the Graduate School, to be completed in 1-2 months after graduation.

M.S. in Hydrology or Hydrogeology for students following the non-thesis professional option

Year 1

First semester

Required courses:
- All: GPHS 782 Hydrology/Hydrogeology Seminar (1)
- All: GE 684 Ground Water Hydrology (3)
- Hydrogeology: GEOL 614 Hydrologic Fluid Dynamics (3), Elective (3-5)
- Hydrology: Elective (6-11)
- Hydroclimatology: Elective (6-11)
Complete and file the Declaration of Advisor form in coordination with the program director
If applicable, transfer previous graduate credits through the Graduate School
If applicable, complete waiver document in coordination with the program director
Review Program of Study form in coordination with the program director

Total credits = 10-15 (20-15 remaining credits)

Second semester

Required courses:
- All: NRES 682 Small Watershed Hydrology (4)
- Hydrogeology: GEOL 616 Environmental Geochemistry (3) OR CEE 658 - Environmental Chemistry Concepts and Design (3), Elective (3-8)
- Hydrology: Elective (6-8)
- Hydroclimatology: GEOG/ATMS 621 Climatology (3), Elective (3-8)
Review Program of Study form in coordination with the program director
If graduating*, file Graduation Application form with the Graduate School
If graduating*, file the Notice of Completion form

Total credits = 10-15 (10 or 0 remaining credits)

*Subject to courseload, students may complete the non-thesis professional degree in two semesters.

Summer

Independent study coursework may be possible during the summer semester. Contact program director for more information.

If graduating*, file the Graduation Application form with the Graduate School
If graduating*, file the Notice of Completion form

Graduate! Subject to course load, students may complete the non-thesis professional degree in three semesters including the summer semester.

Year two

Third semester

Required courses:
- All: GPHS 782 Hydrology/Hydrogeology Seminar (1), Electives (9)
Review Program of Study form in coordination with the program director
File Graduation Application form with the Graduate School
File the Notice of Completion form

Total credits = 10 (0 remaining credits)

Graduate!

Ph.D. in Hydrology/Hydrogeology (recommended plan for students who have completed a master’s degree)

Year one

First semester

Required courses:
- All: GPHS 782 Hydrology/Hydrogeology Seminar (1)
- All: GE 684 Ground Water Hydrology (3)
- Hydrogeology: GE 614 Hydrologic Fluid Dynamics (3)
- Hydrology: Elective (3)
Complete and file the Declaration of Advisor/Major Advisor/Committee Chair form
Conduct a literature review
Formulate initial research hypotheses with an advisor
If applicable, transfer previous graduate credits through the Graduate School
If applicable, complete the waiver document in coordination with the advisor, course instructor, and program director.

Total credits = 7 (53 remaining credits)

Second semester

Required courses:
- All: NRES 682 Small Watershed Hydrology (4)
- Hydrogeology: GEOL 616 Environmental Geochemistry (3) OR CEE 658 - Environmental Chemistry Concepts and Design (3)
- Hydrology: Elective (3)
- Dissertation credits (2)
Take the Oral Proficiency Check at the end of the semester
Conduct data collection/analysis as appropriate for the research project
Continue literature review, develop a methodology to address hypotheses

Total credits = 9 (44 remaining credits)

Summer

Start writing your research proposal
Conduct data collection/analysis for Paper 1, as appropriate to the research project

Year two

Third semester

Required courses:
- All: GPHS 782 Hydrology/Hydrogeology Seminar (1)
- Hydrology/Hydrogeology Electives (3-6)
- Dissertation credits (1-4)
Complete committee selection
Complete a draft of the Research Proposal and send it to committee members
Conduct data collection/analysis, as appropriate to the research project

Total credits = 9 (35 remaining credits)

Second semester

Hydrology or Hydrogeology Electives (3-6)
Dissertation credits (3-6)
Hold a Research Proposal meeting and discuss the Program of Study with the committee
Near the final data analysis, start writing Paper 1
File completed Program of Study form with the Graduate School

Total credits = 9 (26 remaining credits)

Summer

Final data analysis, finish writing Paper 1
Continue data collection/analysis as appropriate for the research project

Year three

Fifth semester

Comprehensive Exam (1)
Advance to candidacy through the Graduate School
Near final data analysis, start writing Paper 2
Hydrology or Hydrogeology Elective (3)
Dissertation credits (2)

Total credits = 6 (20 remaining credits)

Sixth semester

Final data analysis, finish writing Paper 2
Hydrology or Hydrogeology Elective (3)
Dissertation credits (6)

Total credits = 9 (11 remaining credits)

Summer

Near final data analysis, start writing Paper 3
Continue data collection/analysis as appropriate to the research project

Year four

Seventh semester

Final data analysis, finish writing Paper 3
Dissertation credits (6)

Total credits = 6 (5 remaining credits)

Eighth semester

Complete dissertation (see dissertation filing guidelines)
Dissertation Credits (6) must have a total of 24 dissertation credits
Review important deadlines and milestones for graduation
File the Graduation Application form with the Graduate School
Schedule a public defense presentation and a defense meeting with the committee
Complete the web-based dissertation title form
Provide a completed dissertation to your committee, two weeks before the defense
Send out notice of thesis defense to GPHS Director, two weeks before the defense
Defend the dissertation at the public defense, followed by the committee defense
File the Notice of Completion form through the Graduate School
File the Notice of Final Approval form

Total credits = 5 (0 remaining credits)

Graduate!

All requirements for the doctoral program, excluding prerequisite graduate coursework or master's degrees, must be completed within a period of eight (8) years immediately preceding the granting of the degree.

VI. Committee selection

The advisory committee consists of at least three graduate faculty members for M.S. degrees and five graduate faculty members for Ph.D. degrees. Committee members are described below. Students may include a person who is not affiliated with the program or the University by completing a General Exception to Policy Request form stating why this person should be on the committee and include the person’s CV. If approved, this person will be affiliated with the University department to which the adviser is affiliated, so this person cannot serve as the outside committee member. Formal approval of all student advisory committees is made by the Dean of the Graduate School.

Committee for the M.S. degree

Students establish an academic committee in consultation with their adviser. This committee is formed within the first year of study and must contain at least three members, including the adviser, at least one committee member who is from outside of the adviser’s home department, and one faculty member is selected to serve as the Graduate School Representative. If the adviser resides at DRI, one member cannot be affiliated with the University department with which the adviser is affiliated. If the adviser is the University faculty, one member cannot be affiliated with the home department of the adviser. This “outside” member can be a program faculty member or a faculty member from any other department within the University.

Committee for the Ph.D. degree

Students establish an academic committee in consultation with their adviser. This committee is formed within the first year of study and must contain at least five members, including the adviser, at least one committee member must be from the same department as the adviser, and one faculty member who is the Graduate School Representative. In addition, at least one committee member must be from outside of the adviser’s home department. For example, if the adviser resides at DRI, one member cannot be affiliated with the University department with which the adviser is affiliated. If the adviser is the University faculty, one member cannot be affiliated with the home department of the adviser. This “outside” member can be a program faculty member or a faculty member from any other department within the University.

VII. Research proposal and program of study

For both M.S. and Ph.D. degrees, a Program of Study Document must be filed with the Graduate School at least one full semester before graduation. Review the Program of Study form and requirements on the Graduate School’s Forms page. The deadline for submitting the Program of Study Document for August and December graduation is typically during the third week of the prior APRIL, and the deadline for MAY graduation is typically during the third week of NOVEMBER of the prior year.

Masters’ Research Proposal Meeting and Program of Study

For M.S. students, the research proposal must be submitted to their committee by the beginning of the student’s third semester. Once the research proposal is approved by the adviser, it is distributed to the committee at least two weeks before the research proposal meeting along with a pdf draft of the Program of Study. At the meeting, the student will make an oral presentation of their research proposal for the committee’s approval to proceed. Once approval is gained, the final electronic Program of Study may be created for signatures. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule the research proposal meeting for the committee.

The format of the research proposal is up to the discretion of the adviser but may follow the form:

Introduction
1. Significance and motivation
2. Research objectives
Background and previous work
Research methods
1. Data description
2. Methods of analysis
Anticipated products and data management
Timeline for completion

Ph.D. research proposal and program of study

For Ph.D. students, the Research Proposal must be submitted to their committee during the student’s fourth semester. Once the research proposal is approved by the adviser, it is distributed to the committee at least two weeks before the Research Proposal meeting along with a pdf draft of the Program of Study. At the meeting, the student will make an oral presentation of their Research Proposal for the committee’s approval to proceed. Once approval is gained, the final electronic Program of Study may be created for signatures. It is the student’s responsibility to schedule the Research Proposal meeting for the committee. If the comprehensive exam is combined with the Research Proposal Meeting (see more info below on the comprehensive exam), students may schedule this to take place during their fifth semester.

Ph.D. students should plan to complete a minimum of three papers, in a format and of a sufficiently high quality to be submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. The format of the research proposal is up to the discretion of the adviser but typically follows the form:

Introduction
1. Overarching significance and motivation
Paper One – Title
1. Specific objectives
2. Background and previous work
3. Research methods
  1. Data description
  2. Methods of analysis
4. Anticipated products and data management
Paper Two – Title
1. Specific objectives
2. Background and previous work
3. Research methods
  1. Data description
  2. Methods of analysis
4. Anticipated Products and Data Management
Paper Three – Title
1. Specific objectives
2. Background and previous work
3. Research methods
  1. Data description
  2. Methods of analysis
4. Anticipated products and data management
Timeline for completion

VIII. Ph.D. Degree Proficiency Check

The intention of the proficiency check, which should occur at the end of the student’s second semester, is to support the professional development of Ph.D. students. It aims to ensure that students can succinctly answer and discuss fundamental topics in hydrology, following the completion of at least some of their core courses. The proficiency check consists of both written and oral portions, is administered by a committee at the end of a Ph.D. student’s second semester and is evaluated as pass/fail.

The written portion consists of six questions: two from each of the core classes that are common across both degree tracks and two on other topics selected at the discretion of the student’s adviser. Students must answer these six questions on one page per question, within a single, 8-hour time block. The written portion is “open book” (including the internet), but students are not allowed to discuss the questions with any other person.

Upon completion of the written portion, the student chooses one of the questions to present orally. The oral presentation is conference-style – approximately 10-15 minutes, with an additional five to ten minutes for questions – and occurs as a cohort, in the presence of all students participating in the proficiency check for a given year and their advisers. Students should present their answers to the question, including the research they reviewed and their reasoning.

The committee evaluating the written and oral components consists of the advisers of the students participating in the check. All advisers evaluate the written responses from all students and consider these responses in addition to the oral presentation when assigning a final Proficiency Check of either pass or fail. A pass is given by a simple majority of the committee. In the event of a failure, the committee will make recommendations for the student that could include re-taking the exam, finishing with an MS, or, in extreme cases, suggesting dismissal from the program. In the event of an excessively large cohort, advisers may choose to split students into two or more groups for the Proficiency Check.

If students have not completed all the core classes by the end of their second semester, they should still participate in the proficiency check. The questions are designed so that a student should be able to answer them by reviewing a textbook, undertaking an internet search, or other independent means.

IX. Ph.D. Degree Comprehensive Exam

The intention of the comprehensive exam is two-fold. First, it assesses how well-prepared the student is to conduct Ph.D.-level research in the general area they have chosen. Second, it evaluates the student’s ability to convey concepts that they have learned, and how these concepts relate to their dissertation research, both in written form and orally in front of an audience. The exam provides an opportunity for the student to demonstrate (and even extend) their knowledge of a subject area closely related to their research and their ability to think and react in an articulate and coherent manner.

Passing the comprehensive exam is a critical part of admitting a student to Ph.D. candidacy, which confirms that a student has completed the program’s course requirements and university residency requirements. A student must also hold at least a "B" average in all graduate work and have completed the research proposal to advance to candidacy.

A comprehensive exam is required. Although it should be taken after completion of all course requirements, it may be taken after a minimum of 75% of the student's required coursework beyond the bachelor's degree is completed. It is suggested that students take the comprehensive exam near the end of their fourth semester or during their fifth semester. The exam may be combined with the Research Proposal Meeting. If there is more than one-semester gap between the Research Proposal Meeting and the Comprehensive Exam, the committee has a right to request that the student update their research proposal prior to the exam to provide the committee with an up-to-date report on their dissertation research progress.

Exam components

The comprehensive exam consists of a written and oral portion, both of which cover the breadth of knowledge within the field of hydrology that applies to the student’s dissertation topic research area. The candidate is expected to achieve the equivalent of an A grade on both components to pass the exam. The exam is developed and administered by the student’s dissertation committee, with the adviser serving as the chair. All committee members are expected to participate in both the written and oral portions of the exam. If one committee member cannot attend the oral exam, they may provide questions to the committee chair. A minimum of four committee members must be present for the oral exam, and all members must contribute to the written and oral questions. Committee members may participate remotely.

The written exam is open-book (including the internet), with a maximum time limit of eight hours per day and not more than 40 hours (five days) total. The adviser may choose a shorter number of hours per day or fewer total days, as long as any one day’s exam does not exceed eight hours. Questions vary and may include: questions that test the student’s ability to synthesize ideas and concepts from advanced courses as they relate to the student’s research project; challenging “homework problem” type questions; and questions related to basic science that underpin the student’s research. Students should consult with their committee at least one month before the exam to ask if there are any topics they should study in advance.

The oral exam is conducted at least two weeks following the completion of the written exam to allow the committee time to evaluate the written exam answers. The oral exam is typically two-to-three hours in length and should begin with an approximately 20-minute presentation from the student updating the committee on their research progress and timeline moving forward (this can be the research proposal presentation if it is being combined with the comprehensive exam). After the presentation, each committee member will have the opportunity to ask questions, typically in turn, about the content of the student’s responses to the comprehensive exam, including as they relate to the student’s project more broadly.

Following successful completion of the examination, the student must submit an Admission to Candidacy Form via DocuSign. The student's advisory committee, the program director, and the Graduate School must approve the form. Students must file for candidacy no later than eight months before graduation.

Exam evaluation

After the completion of the written exam, each committee member must evaluate any question that they contributed to writing within seven days or less, and committee members may also evaluate questions that they did not submit. Committee members should notify the student’s adviser whether the student successfully passed the questions they evaluated. If a committee member feels that the student performed poorly on a certain component of the written exam, they may ask follow-up questions during the oral exam, providing the student with an opportunity to elaborate on their answer. If more than one committee member feels the student has failed the written examination, the committee should decide if the student should retake the written exam or proceed to the oral examination. Students may retake the written exam one time with no consequences. If a student fails the written exam more than once, the committee, in consultation with the program director, will consider a number of options to move forward, including potential dismissal from the program.

At the end of the oral examination, the committee will vote on whether the student passed or failed the comprehensive exam. If two or more committee members cast negative votes, the committee may require the student to undertake additional study and repeat the examination (oral and/or written components) only once. If at least four members of the committee do not approve the student to retake the exam, the student will not advance to candidacy and, in consultation with the program director, various options will be considered, including potential dismissal from the program.

X. Accelerated B.S.-to-M.S. Hydrology and Hydrogeology degrees

The Accelerated BS/MS Program encourages outstanding students in undergraduate degrees to obtain a non-thesis professional MS degree in Hydrology or Hydrogeology in a shorter time at the University of Nevada, Reno. Exceptionally well-qualified students working with a faculty advisor and research group may follow a thesis BS/MS degree, pending discussion with the program director. Requirements for the degrees are listed in the University’s Catalog.

XI. Resources for students

Information on scholarships and fellowships is available on our program website and the Graduate School.

The Graduate Student Association (GSA) offers scholarships, emergency funding, and travel awards. Please visit the GSA funding page for details and to apply.

Other resources: