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Twin Cities Campus

Bioproducts and Biosystems Science, Eng and Mgmt Ph.D.

Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Building, 1390 Eckles Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55108 (612-625-7733; fax: 612-624-3005)
Email: bbe@umn.edu
  • Program Type: Doctorate
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2013
  • Length of program in credits: 69
  • This program does not require summer semesters for timely completion.
  • Degree: Doctor of Philosophy
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General Information section of this website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
The Ph.D. degree offered by the bioproducts and biosystems science engineering and management (BBSEM) graduate program provides a strong foundation in the basic sciences, engineering, and management in support of the renewable bio-resources utilization, environmental quality, and national security while improving our global competitiveness. The areas of specialization include bioproducts science and engineering, biosystems science and engineering, and bioproducts marketing and management. Bioproducts science and engineering specialization focuses on the fundamental science and engineering of the various manufacturing processes used in the sustainable conversion of biomass into bio-based industrial and consumer products and their effective end-use applications. Bioproducts include "green" materials, chemicals and energy derived from bio-resources including biofuels, bioenergy, biocomposites, bio-based plastics, adhesives, pulp and paper, building materials, and more. Biosystems science and engineering specialization is designed for students who seek to develop a strong foundation in physical sciences and engineering principles which are applied to important problems involving biological systems. Potential areas of interest include water and soil management and protection; livestock environment; food engineering and value-added processing; machinery systems design; grain quality; safety, health, and risk management; renewable energy systems; and waste management. Bioproducts marketing and management specialization is designed for graduate students who seek to build on a strong diverse background encompassing liberal arts, basic sciences, communications and product development, and marketing and management of bioproducts.
Program Delivery
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program is 3.20.
Students seeking the Ph.D. should have a bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, the physical or biological sciences, or a related field from a recognized U.S. or international university.
Special Application Requirements:
Students seeking the Ph.D. should also have a master's degree in engineering, mathematics, the physical or biological sciences, or a related field from a recognized U.S. or international university. Applicants should have a performance level on previous academic work required for a degree of at least a 3.2 GPA (on a 4.0 grading scale). Students expecting to pursue a Ph.D. normally complete a master of science Plan A degree before starting their Ph.D. programs. Exceptional students who want to go straight to the Ph.D. from the bachelor's level may be admitted subject to conditions agreed upon by the adviser, the director of graduate studies, and the graduate program coordinator.
Applicants must submit their test score(s) from the following:
  • GRE
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
  • TOEFL
    • Internet Based - Total Score: 79
    • Internet Based - Writing Score: 21
    • Internet Based - Reading Score: 19
    • Paper Based - Total Score: 550
  • IELTS
    • Total Score: 6.5
  • MELAB
    • Final score: 80
Key to test abbreviations (GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the General Information section of this website.
Program Requirements
33 credits are required in the major.
12 credits are required outside the major.
24 thesis credits are required.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 3.00 is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 3 semesters must be completed before filing a Degree Program Form.
All Ph.D. degree programs must include BBE 8001 - Seminar I (1 cr), BBE 8002 - Seminar II (1 cr). Any of these courses taken at the master's level count toward the Ph.D. and do not have to be retaken. The Ph.D. in bioproducts and biosystems science engineering and management requires extended study and intense intellectual effort conducting cutting-edge research and advancing the forefront of knowledge in the subject matter area. Students develop skills that enable them to define problems or research questions, plan research, conduct independent research and/or lead research efforts, analyze data, and effectively communicate research results to a variety of audiences. All Ph.D. degree programs must include a minimum of 45 graduate course credits beyond the B.S. degree and a minimum of 24 doctoral thesis credits (BBE 8888). A minimum of 12 course credits must be in a minor field or in a supporting program. Ph.D. degree programs should contain a minimum of 9 course credits in a concentrated area of scientific or mathematical theoretical development that is related to the student's research.
 
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· College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences

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