There are two Graduate Program Directors in BESS, one responsible for the Biosystems Engineering (BSE) and Engineering Technology (BSET) programs, and the other for the Environmental Science (ESS and PhD-PSES) programs. The Directors are responsible for the administration of their respective graduate programs, and they each serve as a contact person with the Graduate School. The more pertinent responsibilities of the Director are:
- Serves as liaison between the Department and the Graduate School on matters related to graduate education
- Serves as the primary contact with prospective students and departmental faculty regarding departmental graduate programs
- Oversees graduate student application process
- Manages the admissions process and monitors the admissions policies for graduate students
- Registers international graduate students for the SPEAK test and monitors scores
- Oversees departmental orientation of new graduate students
- In conjunction with graduate faculty, ensures graduate students are aware of and meet established deadlines for timely graduation
- Approves and signs Admission to Candidacy forms
- Provides academic leadership in the department for graduate program curricula
- Oversees the annual progress/evaluation of graduate students
The Director of Graduate Studies for the Biosystems Engineering (BSE) and Engineering Technology (BSET) programs is:
Dr. Daniel Yoder
865-974-7116
306 BEES Office Building
dyoder@utk.edu
The Director of Graduate Studies for the Environmental and Soil Sciences programs is:
Dr. Jennifer DeBruyn
865-974-7277
430 Plant Biotechnology Building
jdebruyn@tennessee.edu