Prospective Students

Information for Prospective Graduate Students

Graduate Admissions

All prospective students must apply to UMass Amherst Graduate Admissions. Contact the Graduate School for any specific questions you may have about the application process, or to request an information packet. The Graduate School Bulletin also covers general questions about the application and degree requirements.

NSM Departments and Majors

The College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics offers several degree programs in each of our 9 departments. For specific information about the graduate programs in any of these areas of study, please see the Requirements by Major page.

NSM Programs

For Graduate students, the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics offers 4 degree-granting interdisciplinary graduate programs in the life sciences and several interdisciplinary training and fellowship programs. For specific information, please see the Programs page.

Library Resources

The W.E.B. Du Bois Library is the main campus library and offers wireless internet and network ports, a café, and 24-hour access. Also accessible 24 hours a day, the Integrated Sciences and Engineering Library is the primary location for resources in astronomy, biochemistry, biology, chemistry, computer science, all fields of engineering, food science, geosciences, mathematics and statistics, physics, and polymer science.

Graduate Student Senate (GSS)

The Graduate Student Senate is composed of elected graduate students. All graduate students are welcome at general meetings, and may vote on issues that affect the graduate student body. The GSS Website has useful links on getting involved in graduate student organizations, attending events, and utilizing resources like job listings and child care.

Graduate Employee Organization (GEO)

The Graduate Employee Organization is a unit of the United Auto Workers (UAW). If you're a Teaching Assistant (TA), Teaching Associate (TO), Research Assistant (RA), Project Assistant (PA), Assistant Resident Director (ARD), Intern, Trainee, or Working Fellow on this campus, you're covered by GEO stipends, benefits, and grievance procedures, which have dramatically improved since our first contract in 1991.

Housing

UMass Amherst has two useful housing resources. If you are married or have children, you might wish to apply for placement in university-owned family housing. The off-campus housing office offers a large database of rental options.

Financial Aid

If you wish to apply for Financial Aid, you must fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The UMass Amherst code for the FAFSA is 002221. See Financial Aid Services for more detailed information on receiving financial aid.

Scholarships

NSM offers more than 50 scholarships for students in NSM disciplines. The Graduate Student Grant Service offers support in seeking external fellowships and grants.