Soil, Water & Environ Sci (MS)

ALL applicants must be accepted for admission to both The Department of Environmental Science and The University of Arizona Graduate College.  Minimum eligiblity requirements for admission to The Graduate College include completion of a bachelor's degree or an equivalent degree and a 3.000 grade point average on a 4.000 grade scale.

Required application materials include the following:
An official on-line application for admission to the UA Graduate College.
Letter of Intent (one to two page letter specifying your area of interest and goals).
*Three letters of recommendation (letters should be printed on letterhead and submitted electronically.       

Official transcripts from ALL institutions attended.  If you are currently in the process of completing a degree program, please mail your transcript, including your current course schedule, and later submit a MANDATORY final, official transcript that lists your graduation date and degree awarded.  If you are currently in the process of completing a degree program, please mail your transcript, including your current course schedule, and later submit a MANDATORY final, official transcript that lists your graduation date and degree awarded.                                                                                                   

Required prerequisite coursework is listed in the next section.

English language proficiency is one of the conditions for admission for all applicants whose native language is not English. Applicants must submit a minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 79 internet based (iBT), 550 paper based (PB), or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) composite score of 7 (no subject area below a 6).TOEFL Institution Code: 4832                                
Submission of GRE scores is suggested, but are not required. GRE Institution Code: 4832

*Recommenders are notified via email and provided directions for uploading the letter of recommendation.

*PREREQUISITES and DEFICIENCIES

The minimum undergraduate preparation for admission into the SWES graduate program includes the following courses (or equivalent):

Course Descriptions / UA Course Numbers

General Chemistry I - (Lecture & Lab) / UA course equivalent:  CHEM 151

General Chemistry II - (Lecture & Lab) / UA course equivalent:  CHEM 152

Introductory Physics (Lecture & Lab) / UA course equivalents:  PHYS 102/181 or PHYS 141

General Microbiology (Lecture) / UA course equivalent:  MIC 205 A or

Introductory Biology / UA course equivalent:  MCB 181R

Calculus I / UA course equivalent:  MATH 122A/B or 125

Statistics / UA course equivalents:  MATH 263 or Math 363 or MGMT 276 or SBS 200

Physical Geology (Lec) / UA course equivalent:  GEOS 251 or Soil Science (Lec) / ENVS 200

*Note:  Soil and Water Science (SWS) track students must complete both GEOS 251 and ENVS 200; Environmental Science (ES) track students may choose either GEOS 251 or ENVS 200.

Students who lack some prerequisites, but who are otherwise qualified, may be admitted with the missing courses listed as deficiencies.  These deficient courses must be completed early in their program.  It is advantageous to take immediate steps toward removing any noted deficiencies within the first two semesters.  A higher-level course may be used to satisfy a prerequisite with prior approval of the Graduate Program Director.  A grade of "B" or better must be obtained to satisfy deficiency requirements.

There is no guarantee of departmental financial assistance.  Prospective students should directly contact faculty members with whom they potentially share research interests regarding Research Assistantships. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply for institutional funding offered through the UA Graduate College, including Graduate Access Fellowships, UA/SIGP Fellowships, and NASA Scholarships.  Domestic students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Loans, FAFSA, to qualify for institutional funding http://fafsa.gov/.  Detailed information on UA financial aid may be found at http://grad.arizona.edu/financial-resources.

Domestic Applicants:

• Fall: June 1
• Spring: October1

International Applicants:

• Fall: December 1
• Spring: June 1

International applicants may be considered for conditional admission to this program at the department's discretion.