The goals of the program are to provide fundamental and advanced training to students in the critical fields of surface and subsurface hydrology. Over 70 faculty at the University, DRI, and agencies such as the U.S. Forest Service and the Agricultural Research Service conduct research in areas such as contaminant transport (surface and subsurface), watershed hydrology, ecohydrology, aqueous geochemistry, global climate change, groundwater hydraulics, vadose zone hydrology, surface water hydrology and water resources engineering. Thus, students have a tremendous range of options to study. Our size fosters a personal atmosphere in which there is a close relationship between faculty and students. The Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences supports a vibrant student chapter of the Nevada Water Resources Association (NWRA) as well as an active international water organization for students (SAIWI).
The Graduate Program of Hydrologic Sciences (GPHS) offers MS and PhD degrees in hydrology and hydrogeology. The program is structured to provide a foundation in hydrologic sciences with an emphasis in a student's chosen area. Students may define their areas of emphasis by developing a curriculum from a breadth of graduate courses offered across the campus. The program is interdisciplinary, with faculty support and participation from the College of Science, the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, the College of Engineering, the College of Liberal Arts, and the Desert Research Institute. Research and teaching assistantships, as well as several fellowships, are often made available to students accepted into the program.
The program's objectives enable students to complete their programs of study and dissertation research in a timely manner and to prepare students for productive careers in water-related fields. The PhD graduates in hydrology are fully qualified to conduct hydrologic research, hydrologic planning and serve in the regulatory environment of both public and private sector employers. Learning outcomes associated with these objectives include: students demonstrate a high level of competency in the general field of hydrology,
students are able to explain ideas and results through written, numerical, graphical, spoken, and computer-based forms of communication,
students demonstrate their ability to complete research in their field of study in the hydrologic sciences, and
students demonstrate appropriate quantitative skills for hydrogeology, including statistical or numerical modeling techniques.
