Graduate Programs

Our master’s and doctoral programs prepare students for careers in sustainability.

The Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science offers three distinct graduate streams: environmental and soil sciences (MS and PhD) with Graduate Chair Joe Zhuang, biosystems engineering (MS and PhD), and biosystems engineering technology (MS). Daniel Yoder chairs both the biosystems engineering and biosystems engineering technology programs.

The three distinct pathways attract three different types of students. Biosystems engineering draws students with engineering degrees. Science-driven students who desire a technical master’s degree typically pursue biosystems engineering technology. Environmental and soil sciences attracts soil scientists and environmental scientists.

Both thesis and non-thesis options are available for our graduate programs. However, the non-thesis option is only available to students that are not receiving experiment station or grants and contract assistantships.

In the environmental and soil sciences master’s and doctoral programs, we seek to give students a firm understanding of both soils and their environmental context, enabling them to make informed decisions about conserving and managing our land and water resources. The complementary strengths of our soil scientists and climatologist, together with interaction with the engineering faculty, allow students to gain an understanding of environmental systems that will serve them well in their professional careers. Students seeking their master’s degree in environmental and soil sciences will generally concentrate their studies in one of the environmental and soil sciences focus areas.

Entrance into the master’s program requires documentation that the applicant possesses a four-year baccalaureate degree in soil science (including environmental soil science) or a hard science (chemistry, geology, physics, or biology, etc.). It is also strongly recommended that applicants have completed one semester of coursework in each of the following: organic chemistry, physics, plant physiology or microbiology, and statistics. Fifteen semester credits in soil science courses are also required. However, course deficiencies may be satisfied during the first year of graduate study.

A doctorate with a major in plant soil and environmental sciences is offered under a multi-departmental doctoral program.

*In certain situations, an undergraduate student can go directly to a PhD program. Please discuss with graduate advisor.

In the biosystems engineering master’s and doctoral programs, we are committed to linking engineering sciences and mathematics to real-world problems involving natural and man-made biologically based systems. We strive to train students with the ability to serve humanity by applying engineering knowledge to solving the problems facing society. Admission to this degree program requires an undergraduate engineering degree or significant engineering coursework. If you do not have an engineering background, please consider one of our other graduate degree programs.

Students applying for admission into the biosystems engineering doctoral program must submit evidence of ability to perform and report independent research to the satisfaction of the faculty within the department. An approved master’s thesis will usually be acceptable for this purpose.

In the biosystems engineering technology master’s program, students from agricultural or related undergraduate fields apply engineering technology to a variety of agricultural and biological systems. Focus areas include machinery systems; environmental quality and resource conservation; instrumentation, sensor, and control systems; and bioprocessing.

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