Degree Requirements
HSGG coursework requirements vary by degree type, specialization, and prior graduate preparation. Select your degree path below to review unit requirements, core courses, specialization coursework, and planning guidance.
Quick links
HSGG Core Courses
M.S. (Plan I and Plan II) and Ph.D. students are required to take all HSGG Core Courses.
| Course | Units | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| HYD 201A – Principles and Applications of Hydrologic Science | 3 | Take once in Fall of Year 1 |
| HYD 201B – Principles and Applications of Hydrologic Science | 1 | Winter, Years 1 & 2 |
| HYD 290 – Seminar in Hydrologic Science | 1 | At least once while offered |
These courses are unique to HSGG and emphasize interdisciplinary thinking, research design, scientific communication, professional development, and cohort building. Together, they provide students with the skills and community needed to succeed throughout graduate school and beyond.
Unit Requirements
M.S. Plan I — Research/Thesis
Overview
The M.S. Plan I is a research-focused master’s degree that culminates in a thesis and exit seminar. Students complete HSGG core courses, specialization coursework, and any additional electives needed to meet the degree’s unit requirements.
Unit Requirements
| Requirement | M.S. Plan I |
|---|---|
| Total eligible coursework required to graduate (100- and 200-level) | 30 units |
| Minimum graduate coursework (200 level courses) | 14 units |
| Research units (HYD 299) counted toward the 30-unit minimum | No |
M.S. Plan II — Professional/Comprehensive Exam
Overview
The M.S. Plan II is a coursework- and capstone-focused master’s degree that culminates in a capstone project report and oral comprehensive examination. Students complete HSGG core courses, specialization coursework, and additional electives needed to meet the degree’s unit requirements.
Unit Requirements
| Requirement | M.S. Plan II |
|---|---|
| Total eligible coursework required to graduate (100- and 200-level) | 36 units |
| Minimum graduate coursework (200-level) | 18 units |
| Research units (HYD 299) counted toward the 36-unit minimum | No |
Ph.D.
Overview
Ph.D. coursework requirements depend on the student’s prior graduate preparation. All doctoral students complete the HSGG core and graduate-level specialization requirements. Students entering without a prior M.S. must also complete the HSGG M.S. Plan I coursework block.
Unit Requirements
| Requirement | Entering with M.S. | Entering without M.S. |
|---|---|---|
| HSGG core courses | Required | Required; may count toward M.S. Plan I block |
| Ph.D. specialization coursework | 8–14 units in the current draft | 8–14 units plus M.S. Plan I block |
| Additional coursework | As needed | As needed |
| M.S. Plan I coursework block | Not normally required | Required |
| Research units (HYD 299) counted toward coursework minimum | No | No |
Required Courses by Specialization
Specialization-specific course requirements vary by degree. Note that Ph.D. students without an M.S. degree must complete the M.S. course requirements in addition to the Ph.D. requirements.
- Physical Hydrology
M.S. I/II
One course in groundwater hydrology (4-5 units)
One course in physical hydrology (3-5 units)
Two courses in hydrological processes (6-8 units)
One course in hydrochemistry or hydrobiology for breadth (3-6 units)
One course in water policy, law, or management for breadth (3 units)Ph.D.
Two graduate-level courses in physical hydrology or hydrological processes (6-8 units)
One graduate-level course in water policy and management, Earth surface processes, hydrochemistry, or hydrobiology (3-4 units)- Water Policy And Management
M.S. I/II
One course in physical hydrology (3-4 units)
One course in water policy (3-4 units)
One course in water economics (4 units)
One course in water resource systems (3 units)
One additional policy, economics, law, or geography courses (cannot use one already counted above) (3-4 units)
One course in hydrochemistry or hydrobiology for breadth (3-6 units)Ph.D.
Two graduate-level courses in water resource systems, water policy, or water economics (6-8 units)
One graduate-level course in physical hydrology, Earth surface processes, hydrochemistry, or hydrobiology (3-4 units)- Earth Surface Processes
M.S. I/II
One course in physical hydrology (3-4 units)
One course in geospatial and statistical methods (3-4 units)
One course in geomorphic, sediment, or soil processes (3-5 units)
One course in hydraulics (3-4 units)
One course in hydrochemistry or hydrobiology for breadth (3-6 units)
One course in water policy, law, or management for breadth (3-6 units)Ph.D.
Two graduate-level courses in Earth surface analysis or processes (6-8 units)
One graduate-level course in physical hydrology, water policy and management, hydrochemistry, or hydrobiology (3-4 units)- Hydrochemistry
M.S. I/II
One course in physical hydrology (3-4 units)
One course in chemical processes (3-4 units)
One course in chemical analysis (2-5 units)
One course in experimental design and data analysis (3-5 units)
One course in hydrobiology for breadth (3-4 units)
One course in water policy, law, or management for breadth (3 units)Ph.D.
Two graduate-level courses in chemical processes, chemical analysis, experimental design, or experimental data analysis (5-9 units)
One graduate-level course in physical hydrology, water policy and management, Earth surface processes, or hydrobiology (3-4 units)- Hydrobiology
M.S. I/II
One course in physical hydrology (3-4 units)
One course in geospatial methods (3-4 units)
One course in terrestrial systems (3-4 units)
One course in aquatic systems (3-7 units)
One course in hydrochemistry for breadth (3-6 units)
One course in water policy, law, or management for breadth (3 units)Ph.D.
Two courses in hydrobiology (6-10 units)
One graduate-level course in physical hydrology, water policy and management, Earth surface processes, or hydrochemistry (3-4 units)
REQUIRED Coursework Planning Form (Submitted Biannually)
Students should complete an approved coursework plan during their first quarter and review and update it with their Major Professor and Graduate Advisor each fall and spring until advancement to candidacy. The plan documents how the student will complete HSGG core courses, specialization and breadth requirements, and the unit requirements for their degree.
Download the coursework planning form for your specialization:
Curious about which courses are offered?
How Required Coursework is Structured
1) Take HSGG Core Courses
Complete the required HSGG courses that provide a shared foundation in hydrologic sciences
(All Degrees)
2) Meet Minimum Unit Requirements
Complete the minimum number of eligible upper-division and graduate units required for your degree path
(Varies by Degree)
3) Take Courses Required by Specialization
Complete the depth and breadth coursework within one of HSGG's specializations
(Varies by Degree and Specialization)
How do students keep track of all these requirements??
The Coursework Planning Form is designed to help students meet HSGG core courses, unit requirements, and specialization requirements.
Coursework Planning Forms can be found below, and are required to be submitted biannually through candidacy.
Course Registration Must-Knows
Full-Time Status
All full-time students are expected to register in 12 units each quarter.
Registering for Courses
Register using Schedule Builder.
Course Organization
Courses numbered 200-299 are graduate level courses, and 100-199 are upper division undergraduate level courses. HYD is the course prefix for Hydrology. Other commonly taken courses are Civil and Environmental Engineering (ECI), Geology (GEL), and more. All courses (and course sections/labs) are assigned a specific 5-digit Course Registration Number (CRN), which is the number that you can use to search for courses and add them to your schedule.
Registration Deadline
The deadline to add courses is the 10th day of instruction of each quarter. Stay updated on specific dates with the UC Davis calendar.