MS: Freshwater Sciences & Technology (Thesis)

MS

Turn science into action with a freshwater sciences master’s degree.

While earning your graduate 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.
• Develop in-demand technical and professional skills.
• Gain research experience working in a scientific lab.

Students in the MS Thesis 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 thesis students for fall and spring semesters.
Spring applications are due Oct. 1. Fall applications are due Jan. 15.

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 transcript 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

Select three of the following (9 credits)

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

Select one of the following courses (3 credits)

FRSHWTR 513 Field Experimentation and Analysis in Freshwater Sciences (3 credits)
FRSHWTR 514 Analytical Techniques in Freshwater Sciences (3 credits)

Required courses (4 credits)

FRSHWTR 890 Science, Communication, and Public Engagement (3 credits)
FRSHWTR 900 Colloquium in Freshwater Science (1 credit)

Elective courses selected with advisor (9 credits)

Research and Thesis credits (up to 6 credits)

FRSHWTR 985 Master’s Research and Thesis

Total required credits – 31 credits

Freshwater sciences master’s thesis 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.

Of the MS thesis graduates we have tracked (93% of them), 89% went into a water-related job and 11% enrolled in a PhD program.

Our thesis graduates are working with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Geological Survey, The Nature Conservancy, Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District (MMSD), the Southeastern Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission (SWRPC), and Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.