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REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION INTO THE DEPARTMENT OF EARTH AND PLANETARY SCIENCES GRADUATE PROGRAM
The information on these pages is abstracted from the Department of Earth
and Planetary Sciences Graduate Student Handbook (Fall, 2007 revision).
All new graduate students receive a copy of this handbook upon arrival in
the Department. It is revised annually.
- A Bachelor's Degree in Earth and Planetary Sciences or related science
(materials science, chemistry, meteorology, biology, physics, anthropology,
engineering) is required for admission into the Master's program. Generally
a Master's Degree is required for admission into the Ph.D. program, but exceptions
may be made (see Ph.D. requirements and procedures).
- Admission is granted only to students with a strong prior academic record,
as indicated by Grade Point Average, performance on the general Graduate Record
Exam, breadth of background in geosciences and/or relevant fields, and letters
of recommendation. Performance and background in courses outside of geosciences
(supporting sciences, mathematics) are also considered in determining whether
a student will be admitted to the graduate program.
- A student who is initially not accepted into the graduate program may enroll
as a nondegree student, and take undergraduate and graduate courses. The student
may apply for admission to the graduate program again for a subsequent semester,
and, if accepted, may transfer up to 12 nondegree credits to graduate credit.
Transfer of approved nondegree undergraduate (300-400 level) courses to graduate
credit can only be done by petition, and a form, available at the Graduate
School, must be submitted early in the semester for each course that may later
be considered for graduate credit. This procedure is not necessary for 500level
graduate courses taken under nondegree status. Graduate credit for approved
300, 400, and 500level courses is automatic for regular graduate students.
See the Graduate Bulletin for more information.
PREREQUISITES FOR GRADUATE STUDY IN GEOSCIENCE:
Entering graduate students are expected to have completed the equivalent of
Math 162 and 163, Chemistry 121L and 122L, and Physics 160 and 161 (calculus
I and II, general chemistry I and II, and calculus-based physics that includes
mechanics, electricity, heat, and magnetism). Additional coursework in math,
chemistry, physics, statistics, or biology is encouraged. Geo courses as agreed
upon by thesis committee.
PREREQUISITES FOR GRADUATE STUDY IN MATERIALS SCIENCE:
BS/BA in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or Geoscience, coursework
to include:
Geology: Mineralogy I
Math: Calculus through ordinary differential equations, linear algebra
Physics: Lower division physics sequence
Chemistry: Lower division chemistry sequence, advanced inorganic chemistry,
thermodynamics
PREREQUISITES FOR GRADUATE STUDY IN CLIMATOLOGY:
BS/BA in Meteorology, Physics, Engineering, or Geoscience, coursework to include:
Geology: Equivalent of 101 + 105L
Math: Calculus through ordinary differential equations, linear algebra
Physics: Lower division physics sequence
PREREQUISITES FOR GRADUATE STUDY IN COSMOCHEMISTRY:
BS/BA in Chemistry or Geoscience, coursework to include:
Geology: Mineralogy and Petrology (EPS 301, 302L, 303L)
Math: Calculus through Ordinary Differential Equations
Physics: Lower division physics sequence
Chemistry: Lower division chemistry and physical chemistry
PREREQUISITES FOR GRADUATE STUDY IN HYDROLOGY/HYDROGEOLOGY:
BS/BA in Geoscience, Environmental Science, Engineering, Hydrology, Mathematics,
Physics, Biology, Chemistry or related field, coursework to include:
Geology: Equivalent of 101, and 105L
Math: Calculus through Calculus III (Math 264L) and Ordinary Differential Equations
(Math 316)
Physics: Lower division physics sequence
Chemistry: Lower division chemistry sequence
(Return to Grad Admissions Index)
Please direct inquiries about the Department and its programs to epsdept@unm.edu
Earth & Planetary Sciences 
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