PhD: Freshwater Sciences

PhD

Science That Solves Freshwater Challenges

We’re preparing the next generation of scientists, researchers and policymakers who are committed to exploring, protecting and preserving one of our most vital natural resources. While earning your freshwater sciences doctoral degree, you will

• Explore natural and human-created freshwater systems.
• Learn from world-class faculty within a small-class environment.
• Build a multidisciplinary science foundation.
• Gain research experience working in a scientific lab.
• Receive mentorship from a leading freshwater researcher.

Students in the freshwater sciences PhD program must be accepted by a faculty member who will serve as the major professor and be primarily responsible for matriculation.

Freshwater Sciences admits new students for fall and spring semesters.
Spring 2023 applications are due Oct. 1, 2022. Fall 2023 applications are due Jan. 15, 2023.

You must meet Graduate School requirements in addition to the following to be considered for admission:

1. Bachelor’s degree
   A bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, economics, geosciences, mathematics, physics, public policy or other appropriate natural science, social science or engineering discipline.
2. Undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0.
3. Transcripts
   All applicants, including UWM students, must upload an official or unofficial transcripts directly into the Panthera admission application system for all work done at higher education/postsecondary institutions. All applicants who are admitted to the Graduate School will be required to submit an official transcript with the degree posted within two weeks of the beginning of their first semester of enrollment.
4. GRE Scores
   Submission of scores on the General Test of the Graduate Record Examination taken within the past five years. Submit your scores to UWM (code 1473) and to the School of Freshwater Sciences (code 508).
5. Reason Statement
   The reason statement is an essential part of the application. It is 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
6. Resume
   Submit a current resume that clearly articulates your professional experience.
7. Writing sample
   Submit a scholarly writing sample that demonstrates your critical thinking and writing skills.
8. Three letters of recommendation
   Three letters of recommendation are required by persons who can attest to your scholarship and/or research potential and your success in graduate school at the School of Freshwater Sciences.
9. Relevant courses
   List relevant courses taken at previous institutions. Please include course number, course title, credits and final grade (example: BioSci 150, Foundations of Biological Sciences, 4 credits, A-). The following prerequisites are strongly recommended:
   • at least one semester of any three of the following topical areas: chemistry, biological sciences, physics and calculus
   • one additional semester of chemistry, biological sciences or physics

Students must earn 54 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree, of which 24 credits may be taken from formal coursework completed as part of a master’s degree. A minimum of 27 credits must be earned in residence at UWM. Students may take up to a maximum of six credits of independent study counting toward the degree.

Required

FRSHWTR 585G Applied Water Statistics and Data Manipulation (3 credits)
FRSHWTR 890 Science Communication (3 credits)
FRSHWTR 900 Colloquium in Freshwater Sciences (1 credit each, taken twice)

Select one of the following

FRSHWTR 502G Aquatic Ecosystem Dynamics (3 credits)
FRSHWTR 504G Quantitative Freshwater Analysis (3 credits)
FRSHWTR 506G Environmental Health of Freshwater Ecosystems (3 credits)
FRSHWTR 508G Aquatic Technologies (3 credits)
FRSHWTR 510G Economics, Policy, and Management of Water (3 credits)

Elective courses selected with advisor (15 credits)

Research and Dissertation credits

FRSHWTR 990 Doctoral Research and Dissertation

Total required credits – 54 credits
Research/dissertation credits, independent study (up to 6 credits), or elective courses can make up the remaining credits 28 credits.

Every one (100%) of our PhD candidates have gone into water-related jobs after graduation. A number of PhD candidates at the School of Freshwater Sciences have been chosen for the prestigious Sea Grant Knauss Fellowship Program, which provides a unique educational and professional experience to graduate students who have an interest in ocean, coastal and Great Lakes resources and in the national policy decisions affecting those resources. 

Others have secured positions at Duke University, the University of Colorado, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and working for natural resourced departments in several states.

Doctoral students are typically funded through faculty research projects. We strongly recommend you reach out to faculty members whose interests align with your own to discuss potential research and funding opportunities.

The School of Freshwater Sciences also offers competitive assistantships and scholarships. For more information about other financial aid options, please visit UWM Financial Aid.