An applicant to the M.S. program is expected to have completed one year of calculus and at least four semesters of college chemistry, physics, and/or biology; and to have an undergraduate degree or equivalent in geology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, or the biological sciences. Students lacking some background in a particular area may be admitted provided they are prepared to complete courses, without graduate credit, in which they may be deficient. The program of study a student wishes to follow and the student's undergraduate major determine the level of preparation necessary. The preparation of each student is determined before the beginning of the first semester in residence in order to plan the course of study. Each entering student is assigned an academic adviser to assist in planning a program of study.
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, as documented by relevant academic courses and grades, relevant work experience, standardized test scores (if submitted), and successful completion of relevant degree programs. Students lacking some background in a particular area may be admitted provided they are prepared to complete courses, without graduate credit, in which they may be deficient.
- Scholarly potential (research, technical, oral communication, and written communication skills, acquired both from academic and non-academic settings), as documented by recommendation letters and personal statement.
- Persistence, motivation, and realistic self-appraisal, as documented by their personal statement and recommendation letters.
- Potential to capitalize on their unique experiences, perspectives or talents to contribute to the scholarly community at UNH, as documented by recommendation letters and their personal statement.