Twin Cities campus

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Twin Cities Campus

Bioproducts and Biosystems Science, Eng and Mgmt M.S.

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: Master's
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2024
  • Length of program in credits: 30
  • This program does not require summer semesters for timely completion.
  • Degree: Master of Science
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 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 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 3.00.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
A bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics, the physical or biological sciences, or a related field from a recognized U.S. or international university, is preferred.
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 (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
Plan A: Plan A requires 20 major credits, up to credits outside the major, and 10 thesis credits. The final exam is oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires 30 major credits and up to credits outside the major. The final exam is oral. A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project:Students complete a project that involves a total of about 120 hours of work, and write a Plan B paper on their project.
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 2.80 is required for students to remain in good standing.
At least 1 semesters must be completed before filing a Degree Program Form.
A maximum of 4 special- or advanced-problems credits can be applied to degree requirements. Exception requests must be in writing, specify the circumstances that argue for an exception, and be supported by the student’s advisor(s). Final approval for the exception is the responsibility of the director of graduate studies.
Required Courses (5 credits)
Take the following courses. BBE 8013 is required; however, under special circumstances, and with approval of the BBE 8013 instructor, an alternative statistics course can be applied to the statistics requirement.
BBE 8001 - Seminar I (1.0 cr)
BBE 8002 - Seminar II (1.0 cr)
BBE 8013 - Parameter Estimation in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (3.0 cr)
Electives (15 to 25 credits)
Plan A students select 15 credits, and Plan B students select 25 credits in consultation with their graduate advisor to meet academic and career goals.
Plan Options
Plan A
Take 10 master's thesis credits.
BBE 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's (1.0-18.0 cr)
-OR-
Plan B
Program Sub-plans
A sub-plan is not required for this program.
Students may not complete the program with more than one sub-plan.
Integrated B.S.-Bioproducts & Biosystems Eng/M.S.-Bioproducts & Biosystems Sci, Eng & Mgmt
The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences and the College of Science and Engineering offer an BS-Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering/MS-Bioproducts & Biosystems Science, Engineering, and Management (BS-BBE/MS-BBSEM) program. This program allows students to complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years. Applicants must be enrolled students in the University of Minnesota Twin Cities BS-BBE program. Applicants must be within 32 credits of completing the undergraduate degree, have a minimum GPA of 3.30, and have a strong recommendation from a BBE faculty member or instructor. Full application instructions can be found at: bbe.umn.edu/integrated
Students admitted to BS-BBE/MS-BBSEM will complete and be awarded an undergraduate degree within 4 years, with a fifth year as a graduate student to complete the master’s degree. At least 14 credit hours need to be taken after the completion of the undergraduate degree. Please refer to bbe.umn.edu/integrated for additional information.
Integrated B.S.- Sustainable Systems Management /M.S. -Bioproducts & Biosystems Sci, Eng, & Mgmt
The College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences offers an BS-Sustainable Systems Management/MS-Bioproducts & Biosystems Science, Engineering, and Management (BS-SSM/MS-BBSEM) program. This program allows students to complete their undergraduate and graduate degrees in five years. Applicants must be enrolled students in the University of Minnesota Twin Cities BS-SSM program. Applicants must be within 32 credits of completing the undergraduate degree, have a minimum GPA of 3.30, and have a strong recommendation from an SSM faculty member or instructor. Full application instructions can be found at: bbe.umn.edu/integrated.
Students admitted to BS-SSM/MS-BBSEM will complete and be awarded an undergraduate degree within 4 years, with a fifth year as a graduate student to complete the master’s degree. At least 14 credit hours need to be taken after the completion of the undergraduate degree. Please refer to bbe.umn.edu/integrated for additional information.
 
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BBE 8001 - Seminar I
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Presentation/discussions on current research topics, research philosophy/principles, proposal writing, professional presentations.
BBE 8002 - Seminar II
Credits: 1.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
Organization/critique of seminars on new developments in biosystems and agricultural engineering. prereq: 8001 or concurrent registration is required (or allowed) in 8001 or equiv
BBE 8013 - Parameter Estimation in Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Procedures for estimating parameter values and parameter uncertainty from experimental data. Values and interpretation of linear and nonlinear models using ordinary and weighted least-square methods. Design of experiments. Application to biosystems and agricultural engineering problems. prereq: Stat 3021 or equiv, computer programming course
BBE 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's
Credits: 1.0 -18.0 [max 50.0]
Grading Basis: No Grade
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
(No description) prereq: Max 18 cr per semester or summer; 10 cr total required [Plan A only]