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Program Details

Graduate Program: Applied Biosciences (PSM) - Controlled Environmental Agriculture

General Information

Request Information
Program/Degree
Applied Biosciences (PSM) - Controlled Environmental Agriculture  
Program Description

The Controlled Environment Agriculture (CEA) a subplan of the Applied Biosciences GIDP is designed to prepare students who wish to possess a graduate-level education that integrates science and engineering-based approach to provide specific controlled environments for plant productivity while optimizing resources including water, energy, space, capital and labor, and more specifically incorporate knowledge in management and business. Graduates of this track will be prepared for careers in controlled environment agriculture industry, academia and government.   

The CEA is an agricultural production practice for year round continuous production of nutritionally high quality foods, with crop yields that can exceed field production by as much as 10-fold, and with the potentials to utilize local renewable energy resources, and optimize water, energy, space, capital, and labor resource use efficiency well above field traditional capabilities. This production technology, can employ crop production systems, provide harvest much less dependent of season, and can generate higher crop yields, quality, safety, nutritional value, with consistency and predictability, while utilizing less land in an environmentally friendly way.

There has been significant advancement in agriculture due to enhanced cultivars by plant breeding, minimized use of chemicals and effects of pests by integrated pest management, improved production quality, produce uniformity and reduced labor via automation and mechanization. These continuous advancements in production practices and technology have maintained an acceptable food quality and low cost food supply, however, resulted in more demand for highly educated and skilled employees. The controlled environment agriculture systems are integrated systems consisting of hydroponics, mechanization and automation, climate control, production management processes which demand continuous system monitoring and control. Thus, technical understanding and crop production skills are needed for specific crop needs and through understanding of plant and microclimate interactions are needed so the systems can be effectively operated and precisely controlled to improve growth, production quality, and resource use efficiency. This necessitates potential graduates to acquire technical, production, management, people, business skills.

Therefore, the CEA track will prepare students for rewarding employment in the controlled environment agriculture sector with technology, science and engineering, business and management oriented education and training to prepare current and future employees to meet the needs of this important industry segment to successfully compete in the global market place.

 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs

The Graduate College sponsors several Graduate Interdisciplinary Programs (GIDPs) in addition to the many interdisciplinary possibilities available through regular graduate degree programs. GIDPs transcend departmental boundaries by facilitating cutting edge teaching and research at the nexus of traditional disciplines. The high value placed on interdisciplinary research and education is indicative of The University of Arizona's enthusiasm and commitment to fostering innovation and creativity among its faculty and students.

 

 
College

Graduate College/GIDP

 
Campus where offered

University of Arizona - Main - Tucson

 
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Jennifer Shim
520-626-9111
Graduate Program Coordinator
Jennifer Shim
520-626-9111
Director of Graduate Studies
Murat Kacira
520-626-4254
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Hayley Jean Kral
520-621-3484
 
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

The same as all Applied Biosciences track:

Prerequisites

Students who wish to apply to the  Applied Biosciences program must have the minimum qualifications:

  • A Bachelors (or equivalent) degree with a major in an area of biosciences from an accredited institution.

  • A minimum 3.0 GPA

  • A desire to pursue a professional career in the applied biosciences.

Admissions Process

Students should apply directly to the specific track in the program they wish to pursue. The application should be submitted online (only) via the Graduate College website (http://grad.arizona.edu). Be prepared to submit the following materials:

  • Scans of all transcripts (official versions will be requested if you are selected for admission)

  • GRE scores (recommended but not required; general test only)

  • Proof of English proficiency is required for any international applicant born in a country where English is not the official language. 
    Acceptable English Proficiency Credentials can be found at:
    https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants#english-proficiency

  • GPAs for all undergraduate work

  • A one to two page statement of interests, which outlines your background (including any professional experience) and your professional goals.

You should separately arrange with two references (typically former or current professors or work supervisors) who can comment on your skills, training and potential for the Applied Biosciences.  You will need to include their names and email addresses in your online application.

 
Standardized Tests

Required test(s):
Required GRE Subject tests: general test only (optional)

Minimum GRE Verbal: 130-170, in 1 point increments
Minimum GRE Quantitative:  130-170, in 1 point increments
Minumum GRE Written: 0-6, in half point increments
Minimum MAT:
Minimum TOEFL:  79 internet based  (IBT) 550 paper based (PB) required for international students or
Minimum IELTS:   7 (no subject area below a 6) for international students
Minimum Pearson PTE Academic: 60
Minimum Minimum CEPT:   110 on Full Academic test for international students

For more information on the English Proficiency requirement, please click here

 

 

 
Funding Opportunities

There is no funding support directly available from this program. 

 
Admissions Deadlines

Domestic Applicants:

  • Fall: March 31
  • Spring: August 31

International Applicants:

  • Fall: March 31
  • Spring: August 31
 
International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

36 

Core Coursework Requirements

All Tracks have the following general structure:

Science Module...................................................15 Units

Professional Preparation Module............................12 Units

Internship Module (including the Final Report)..........9 Units

Total.................................................................36 Units


Core Course Requirements:

Science Module: 15 Units Required (9 Core + 6 Electives)

Core Science Classes: Choose 9 Units

BE 575a                 Physiology of Plant Production under Controlled Environment, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

BE 579                   Applied Instrumentation in Controlled Environmental Agriculture, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

BE 583                   Controlled Environment Systems, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

Core Coursework for the Internship Module (9 units minimum)

ABS 593A             Internship, 8 units, minimum required grade S or P

ABS 909               Master’s Report, 1 unit, minimum required grade S or P

Core Coursework for the Professional Preparation Module (2 units minimum)

BE 501                Research Methods in Biosystems Engineering, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B

CBIO 595D           Scientific Writing, Presentations and Bioethics, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B

ENVS 508            Scientific Writing for Environmental, Agricultural and Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

MSE 502              Research Proposal Preparation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

OPTI 597B           Technical writing and communication, 3 units,minimum required grade A or B

Minimum GPA in Core coursework: 3.0

 

 
Elective Coursework

Science Electives: Choose 6 Units

Courses not listed here may also be chosen but require an agreement with the Director of Graduate Studies or the Graduate Committee.

BE 513                   Applied Biostatistics, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B

BE 523                   Biosystems Analysis and Design, 3 units minimum grade A or B

BE 547                   Sensors and Controls, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

BE 556                   Irrigation System Design, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

BE 582                   Integrated Engineered Solutions in the Food-Water-Energy Nexus, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

AME 545              Renewable Engineering Systems, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

CHEE 574             Transport Processes in Environmental Engineering, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

CHEE 577R          Microbiology for Engineers, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

CHEE 581A          Engineering of Biological Processes,3 units, minimum required grade A or B

EIS 597C               Greenhouse Pest Management: Methods and Practice,  3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ENVS 525             Environmental Microbiology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

MATH 522           Advanced Applied Mathematics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

MATH 571B        Design of Experiments, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

SIE 531                  Simulation Modeling and Analysis, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

SIE 545                  Fundamentals for Optimization, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

SLHS 649              Survival Skills and Ethics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

Requirements for Elective Coursework for the Professional Preparation Module:

Elective Coursework for the Professional Preparation Module (Choose 9 to 10 units to reach a total of 12 units for the Module)

ACBS 568A           Bioeconomy, Marketing and Business Principles, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ACBS 568B           Bioeconomy, Marketing and Business Principles II, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ACBS 571              Risk Assessment, Management and Communication, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ABE 552                Globalization, Sustainability Innovation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ACCT 521             Business Law for Accountants, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ALC 509                Team Organizational Leadership, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ALC 510                Entrepreneurial Leadership in Agriculture and the Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ALC 511                Principles and Application of Organizational Development, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ALC 522                Communicating Knowledge in Agriculture and Life Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

AREC 550             Financial Management for Agribusiness, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

BIOS 675               Clinical Trials and Intervention Studies, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

BNAD 597B          Advanced Consulting Projects, 3-4 units, minimum required grade A or B

CBIO 597C           Grant Writing for Graduate Students,1 unit, minimum required grade A or B

CTS 595C              Responsible Conduct of Research, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B

ECON 578             Energy, the Environment, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

EHS 575                Environmental and Occupational Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ENGR 512A          Management of Technology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ENGR 514             Law for Engineers/Scientists, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ENTR 506             Introduction to Entrepreneurship, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ENTR 515             Strategic Planning, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ENTR 548             Healthcare Entrepreneurship, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ENTR 557             Project Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ENTR 581A          Assessing Early Stage Medical Technologies for Commercialization, 2 units, minimum required grade A or B

GRAD 595D         Regulatory Issues in Laboratory Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

IMB 521               Scientific Grantsmanship,  2 units, minimum required grade A or B

LAW 695D           Regulatory Science, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B

LAW 576A           Drug, Discovery, Development and Marketing Obligations, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

LAW 578A           Legal and Regulatory Aspects for Health Care Delivery, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

LAW 589A           Regulatory Science Case Study Project, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

MCB 695E           Science, Society, and Ethics, 1 unit, minimum required grade A or B

MGMT 535         International Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

MGMT 538         Health Organization and Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

MGMT 563         Doing Business In/With Africa, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

MIS 506              Healthcare Information Systems, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

MIS 578               Project Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

MKTG 510           Marketing-Based Management, 2 units, A or B

MSE 502               Research Proposal Preparation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

PCOL 5  84           Fundamentals in Industrial and Environmental Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

PHPM 506           Economic Foundations for Health Sciences, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

PHPM 562           Health Services Administration, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

PHPM 569           Fundamentals of Health Budgeting and Financial Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

PHPM 574           Public Health Policy and Management, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

PHSC 513             Health Technology Assessment, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

SIE 515                 Technical Sales and Marketing, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

SIE 567                  Financial Modeling for Innovation, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

SLHS 649              Survival Skills and Ethics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

Minimum GPA in Elective coursework: 3.0

 
Additional Requirements

Students need to do an oral presentation and submit a written report of the internship

See our Studnet Handbook for detailed information: https://abs.arizona.edu/current-students/student-handbook

 
Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

 

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/ABSPSMCEA
Last revised 02 Dec 2022
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