The demand for skilled geoscientists is expected to grow rapidly in coming years. This degree prepares you to meet the public and private sector demand for knowledgeable and analytical Earth science professionals with strong scientific communication skills.
Credit Hours: 30-34 | Courses: 9-10 | Program Length: 2 years
Why get a Master of Science in Earth Sciences with a Geochemical Systems Option?
Earth scientists enable society to engage in the responsible and prudent use of Earth’s resources and to understand and facilitate the mitigation of natural disasters and climate change. The demand for skilled geoscientists in the United States and worldwide is expected to grow rapidly in coming years. This M.S. degree, allowing you to specialize in geochemical systems, will prepare you for jobs in either the public or private sector that require knowledge of the geochemistry of bedrock, sediment, water, ice and air; laboratory analytical techniques; quantitative and geospatial data analysis; and scientific communication.
Why choose UNH’s Earth Sciences program?
Earth sciences students at UNH gain experimental, numerical, and analytical skills in rigorous classes and research projects focused on sites in New England and around the world. Cutting-edge research experiences involve instrumentation such as scanning and transmission electronic microscopes, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometers, and ion chromatography. The Department of Earth Sciences is one of the key academic centers of UNH’s renowned programs in Earth and environmental sciences, with many students working with faculty in the Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space (EOS), the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping (CCOM), and the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering (SMSOE).
Potential career areas
- Academia
- Computer modeling
- Consulting firms
- Data analysis
- Environmental hazard assessment
- Government agencies (e.g., EPA, USGS, NOAA)
- Natural resources
- Science journalism
- Surveying and cartography
- Water resource management
- Wetland delineation
Frequently Asked Questions
- Admission decisions will be based on:
- Alignment with and advocacy from a potential advisor. Prospective students should reach out directly to faculty with relevant research interests to ensure that the faculty member is actively recruiting students and that a relevant research project can be identified.
- Academic preparation. An applicant to the M.S. program is expected to have demonstrated competency in the following college courses: one year each of calculus and chemistry and two semesters of physics and/or biology. In addition, the applicant is expected to have an undergraduate degree or equivalent in geology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science, engineering, or the biological sciences. Students lacking some background in a particular area may be admitted provided they are prepared to complete courses in addition to their graduate degree requirements as needed.
- Scholarly potential (research, technical, oral communication, and written communication skills, acquired both from academic and non-academic settings).
- Persistence, motivation, and realistic self-appraisal.
- Potential to capitalize on their unique experiences, perspectives or talents to contribute to the scholarly community at UNH.
Many of our students receive funding from Teaching Assistantship (TA) or Research Assistantship (RA) positions. Contact potential advisors to discuss sponsorship.
For fall admission, apply by January 15 if seeking funding, and by April 1 for regular admission. For spring admission, apply by December 1. Admission decisions will be made a few weeks after those dates. Admission decisions do not guarantee funding; if funding is offered, a separate offer letter will be sent.
In person program. Most students are full-time students, although different arrangements may be possible depending on the selected research project. Contact potential advisors to discuss alternative arrangements.
Applicants are highly encouraged to reach out directly to faculty with relevant research interests to identify a relevant research project.
Curriculum & Requirements
The option in Geochemical Systems is intended for students with interests in all aspects of geochemistry: bedrock, sediment, water, ice, and air with particular emphasis on interpreting and modeling the interaction of these media (e.g., biogeochemistry, air quality, and climate change).
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the M.S. program in geochemical systems are expected to have completed coursework that provides them with foundational knowledge. This foundational knowledge is the equivalent to the completion of: two terms mathematics, which includes both differential and integral calculus (one of these two terms could be statistics); two terms lab-based general chemistry; and two terms of a combination of biology and/or physics. Typical applicants have undergraduate (or equivalent) degrees in Earth sciences, environmental sciences, chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, engineering, the biological sciences, or related fields. We also encourage inquiries from those who have earned an undergraduate degree in a different major with appropriate coursework in foundational subjects. Students still working to strengthen a particular component of their foundational coursework may be admitted provided they are prepared to complete courses, in addition to their graduate degree requirements, as needed. The program of study a student wishes to follow, together with the research topic and the student's undergraduate major, determines any additional necessary coursework, which will be recommended during the admission process. Applicants are strongly encouraged to meet with their potential advisor(s) and/or the graduate program coordinator prior to submission of their application with any questions on admissions criteria and the degree program.
Sample Degree Plan
This sample degree plan serves as a general guide; students collaborate with their academic advisor to develop a personalized degree plan to meet their academic goals and program requirements.
| First Year | ||
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Credits | |
| Core Curriculum 1 Course | 4 | |
| Elective I Course | 3-4 | |
| ESCI 997 | Seminar in Earth Sciences | 1 |
| Credits | 8-9 | |
| Spring | ||
| Core Curriculum 2 Course | 4 | |
| Elective 2 Course | 3-4 | |
| ESCI 998 | Proposal Development | 1 |
| Credits | 8-9 | |
| Second Year | ||
| Fall | ||
| Core Curriculum 3 Course | 3-4 | |
| ESCI 899 | Master's Thesis ( or Elective for non-thesis option) | 3-4 |
| Credits | 6-8 | |
| Spring | ||
| Elective 3 Course | 3-4 | |
| ESCI 899 or ESCI 898 | Master's Thesis or Directed Research | 2 or3 |
| Credits | 5-7 | |
| Total Credits | 27-33 | |
Degree Requirements
Thesis Option
Students in the thesis option must satisfactorily complete at least 30 graduate credits, which include the credits accumulated in the core curriculum. Students in this option must complete a master's thesis (6 credits) and give an oral presentation of the results.
Non-Thesis Option
Students in the non-thesis option must satisfactorily complete at least 34 graduate credits, which includes the core curriculum, a 2-credit directed research project (ESCI 898 Directed Research), and a written and oral presentation of that research.
Geochemical Systems
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| ESCI 997 | Seminar in Earth Sciences (first year) | 1 |
| ESCI 998 | Proposal Development (first year) | 1 |
| Select two courses from the following: | 6-8 | |
ESCI 841 | Geochemistry | |
ESCI 845 | Isotope Geochemistry | |
ESCI 847 | Aqueous Geochemistry | |
ESCI 852 | Chemical Oceanography | |
ESCI 860 | Paleoceanography | |
ESCI 865 | Paleoclimatology | |
NR 844 | Biogeochemistry | |
| Select one course from the following: | 4 | |
ESCI 801 | Quantitative Methods in Earth Sciences | |
ESCI 820 | Ocean Measurements Lab | |
ESCI 864 | Spectral Analysis of Geophysical Time Series Data | |
ESCI 877 | GIS for Earth & Environmental Sciences | |
ESCI 878 | Remote Sensing Earth & Environmental Sciences | |
| Master's Thesis or Directed Research | ||
| Select from the following: | ||
| ESCI 899 | Master's Thesis | 6 |
| ESCI 898 | Directed Research | 2 |
| Elective Courses | ||
Additional electives are to be selected from graduate level courses in the department and/or from graduate level courses in related disciplines outside of the department (e.g., civil and environmental engineering, natural resources, chemistry, mathematics and statistics, and computer science). More detailed information is available from the department.
Accelerated Master's Overview
Accelerated Master’s programs offer qualified University of New Hampshire undergraduate students the opportunity to begin graduate coursework in select graduate programs while completing a bachelor’s degree. Accelerated master's programs are designed to provide students with an efficient and cost-effective pathway to earn both a bachelor's and master's degree or graduate certificate, enhancing career opportunities and long-term earning potential.
Accelerated Master's Highlights
- Begin studying advanced topics while an undergraduate student with the opportunity to complete a master’s degree or graduate certificate early.
- Master’s degree program students: Earn up to 12* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s and master’s degrees.
- Graduate certificate program students: Earn up to 8* graduate (800-level) course credits while completing a bachelor’s degree. This coursework will count as dual-credit toward both the bachelor’s degree and the graduate certificate.
- Students complete the bachelor’s degree, and then officially matriculate into the master’s or graduate certificate program to complete the remaining required graduate-level coursework.
*Some exceptions apply.
Accelerated Master's Admission Requirements
- A minimum 3.2 cumulative GPA is required.*
- A minimum of 90 undergraduate credits must be completed prior to enrolling in graduate (800-level) courses.
- Streamlined Graduate School Application (two letters of recommendation; most standardized tests and application fee are waived).*
*Some exceptions apply.
Accelerated Master's Requirements
- Students must attend a mandatory orientation session.
- Students must submit a special registration form each semester for dual-credit courses and note any DegreeWorks exceptions.
- Students may defer graduate matriculation for up to one year after earning their bachelor’s degree in most programs.
- See the Accelerated Master’s Catalog Policy and Accelerated Master’s Website for additional information and a list of programs. Note that some programs have additional requirements (e.g. higher-grade expectations) compared to the general policy.
Earth Sciences: Geochemical Systems (M.S.) Accelerated Option
This graduate degree program is approved to be taken on an accelerated basis in articulation with the following undergraduate program(s):
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Earth Sciences (B.S.) | ||
| Environmental Sciences: Earth Systems Option (B.S.) | ||
| Earth and Environmental Sciences (B.A.) | ||
| Students select from the following approved 800-level courses that can be completed in the undergraduate senior year for dual credit: | ||
| ESCI 801 | Quantitative Methods in Earth Sciences | 4 |
| ESCI 805 | Principles of Hydrology | 4 |
| ESCI 810 | Groundwater Hydrology | 4 |
| ESCI 815 | Hydrologic Data Analysis | 4 |
| ESCI 820 | Ocean Measurements Lab | 4 |
| ESCI 826 | Igneous and Metamorphic Petrology | 4 |
| ESCI 834 | Global Geophysics | 4 |
| ESCI 841 | Geochemistry | 4 |
| ESCI 845 | Isotope Geochemistry | 4 |
| ESCI 847 | Aqueous Geochemistry | 4 |
| ESCI 849 | Ocean Biogeochemistry | 3 |
| ESCI 852 | Chemical Oceanography | 3 |
| ESCI 854 | Sedimentology | 4 |
| ESCI 856 | Geotectonics | 3 |
| ESCI 858 | Introduction to Physical Oceanography | 3 |
| ESCI 859 | Geological Oceanography | 4 |
| ESCI 860 | Paleoceanography | 3 |
| ESCI 862 | Glacial Geology | 4 |
| ESCI 864 | Spectral Analysis of Geophysical Time Series Data | 4 |
| ESCI 865 | Paleoclimatology | 3 |
| ESCI 877 | GIS for Earth & Environmental Sciences | 4 |
| ESCI 878 | Remote Sensing Earth & Environmental Sciences | 4 |
| ESCI 895 | Topics | 1-4 |
| ESCI 896 | Topics | 1-4 |
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a M.S. in Earth Sciences: Geochemical Systems should achieve the following learning outcomes:- Demonstrate knowledge of core concepts and qualitative/quantitative techniques in Geochemical Systems that results in sufficient expertise to conduct substantive supervised research.
- Review, critically evaluate, and synthesize published research in the Earth sciences and related fields of mathematics, statistics, physics, chemistry, and biology.
- Develop testable research questions and implement a rigorous study using appropriate methodologies to generate findings, develop evidence-based interpretations, and reach well-supported conclusions.
- Prepare written manuscripts in a scientific style of English that meets the level and standards of leading academic journals and respond appropriately to recommendations for revision.
- Clearly convey research findings to specialist and non-specialist audiences through oral and written presentations supported by appropriate digital media.
- Demonstrate collaboration and leadership in creating a productive and welcoming work environment that is supportive, inclusive and equitable.
- Make effective contributions to university, community and professional service.
Deadlines
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
- Fall: Jan. 15 (for funding); April 1 (final)
- Spring: Dec. 1
- Summer: N/A
- Special: N/A
Application fee: $65
Campus: Durham
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Masters Eligible: No
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence Form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission, or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH or Granite State College (GSC) after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester, UNH Non-Degree work and GSC.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must upload a copy (PDF) of your transcript in the application form. International transcripts must be translated into English.
If admitted, you must then request an official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Transcripts from all previous post-secondary institutions must be submitted and applicants must disclose any previous academic or disciplinary sanctions that resulted in their temporary or permanent separation from a previous post-secondary institution. If it is found that previous academic or disciplinary separations were not disclosed, applicants may face denial and admitted students may face dismissal from their academic program.
Letters of recommendation: 3 required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Personal Statement/Essay Questions
Prepare a brief but careful statement regarding:
- Reasons you wish to do graduate work in this field, including your immediate and long-range objectives.
- Your specific research or professional interest and experiences in this field.
Important Notes
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program-specific application questions.
International Applicants
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
