The University of Arizona

Graduate Programs
  • By College
    • College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
    • College of Applied Science and Technology
    • College of Architecture, Planning & Landscape Architecture
    • College of Education
    • College of Engineering
    • College of Fine Arts
    • College of Humanities
    • College of Law
    • College of Medicine, Phoenix
    • College of Medicine, Tucson
    • College of Nursing
    • College of Public Health
    • College of Science
    • College of Social & Behavioral Sciences
    • Eller College of Management
    • Graduate College/GIDP
    • James C. Wyant College of Optical Sciences
    • R. Ken Coit College of Pharmacy
  • By Degree
    • Certificate
    • Doctorate
    • Masters
    • Masters (Accelerated)
    • Minor
  • By Campus
    • Arizona International Direct - Online
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Ajman - Gulf Medical Univ
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Amman - PSUT
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Lima - UPC
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Online
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Shenzhen Finance Institute
    • Arizona International Microcampus - Tianjin - Hebei Univ of Tech
    • Arizona Online - Online
    • Community Campus - Community Campus- Outreach
    • Distance Campus - Chandler
    • Distance Campus - Desert Vista
    • Distance Campus - Distance
    • Distance Campus - Douglas
    • Distance Campus - Flowing Wells
    • Distance Campus - Gilbert
    • Distance Campus - Nogales
    • Distance Campus - North Valley-Paradise Valley
    • Distance Campus - Yuma
    • Phoenix Campus - Phoenix
    • Southern Arizona - Desert Vista
    • Southern Arizona - Sierra Vista
    • University of Arizona - Main - Oro Valley
    • University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
  • Other Information
    • Request More Information
    • Apply to a Program
    • Dual Degree Programs
    • Online Programs
  • APPLY NOW

Program Details

Graduate Program: Applied Biosciences (PSM) - Sustainable Bioeconomy and Bioenergy Emphasis

General Information

Request Information
Program/Degree
Applied Biosciences (PSM) - Sustainable Bioeconomy and Bioenergy Emphasis  
Program Description

The primary objective of the SBB track is to prepare students for jobs as research professionals in the field of bioenergy, biofuels, and novel agricultural systems research as part of a sustainable regional and global bioeconomy. Students will be interested in research towards selecting and improving appropriate feedstock; producing feedstock in a sustainable manner; researching conversion of the feedstock to biofuels, bioenergy and value-added coproducts; and in developing techno-economic and sustainability models to evaluate paths to commercialization and socioeconomic impacts. Students completing the SBB track will seek employment in public or private research organizations (including universities) that conduct research in these fields; private companies (from bioenergy startups to established multinationals in the existing energy industries) that are interested in sustainable bioenergy research and implementation; governmental agencies that regulate the biofuels industry; and in nonprofit organizations that evaluate the environmental and societal impact of these industries. Just as the other PSM-ABS emphases, the SBB track will provide a rigorous but student-tailored and student-centered science training that is complemented by integration of important knowledge from the disciplines of management, economics, business practices, and law. Just as students in the existing tracks, SBB students will complete an internship at a company (preferably in the Tucson-Phoenix corridor) or at a UofA lab appropriate for their career goals, in order to obtain invaluable on-the-job training, experience and knowledge. This real world know-how obtained in the internship is unique and cannot be emulated in the classroom nor by taking on-line courses. As part of their graduate program, students will prepare, present and defend an internship report in lieu of a thesis (ABS is a non-thesis MS degree). This report will describe the field of research the student was engaged in; details their contributions to this field; and discusses future directions such research may take. Students graduating in the SBB program will typically do research during their professional career “at the bench” (including the “virtual bench” of the computer, in case of research in socioeconomic modeling), with the perspective of eventually managing a laboratory at a university or in industry. With knowledge gained in business and legal fields, our trained scholars can also become involved in the business side of the bioenergy industry, becoming project managers, regulatory agency employees, marketing and analysis professionals.

 
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
Joel L Cuello
520-621-7757
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

Prerequisites

Students who wish to apply to in the  Applied Biosciences -Professional Science Master's degree 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 PSM in 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

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
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

Curriculum

In common with other ABS tracks, the SBB track requires the successful completion of 36 units (credit hours), within the course of a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 6 years.

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 Coursework Requirements

Core Coursework for the Science Module (9 units minimum)

BE 523             Biosystems Analysis and 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

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

EIS 536             Agro-Ecology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

PLS 548A         Plant Biochemistry and Metabolic Engineering, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

PLS 549A         Plant Genetics and Genomics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B      

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

Core Coursework in the Internship Module:

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

 
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.

ACBS 556         Aquaculture, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

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

BE 534             Biosystems Analytics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

BE 555             Soil and Water Resources Engineering, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

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

BE 558             Soils, Wetlands and Wastewater Reuse, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

BE 579             Applied Instrumentation for Controlled Environment Agriculture, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

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

BIOC 565         Proteins and Enzymes, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

BIOC 568         Nucleic Acids, Metabolism and Signaling, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

BIOS 576A       Biostatistics in Public Health, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

BIOS 576B       Biostatistics for Research, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

BME 510          Biology for Biomedical Engineering, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ECOL 553         Functional and Evolutionary Genomics, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B

ECOL 575         Freshwater and Marine Algae, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B

ECOL 600B      Fundamentals of Ecology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

ENVS 501        Sustainable Management of Arid Lands & Salt-Affected Soils, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

MCB 516A       Statistical Bioinformatics and Genomic Analysis, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

MCB 573         Recombinant DNA Methods and Applications, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B

MCB 580         Introduction to Systems Biology, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

PLP 528R        Microbial Genetics,  3 units, minimum required grade A or B

PLP 550           Principles of Plant Microbiology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B

PLP 560           Advanced Plant Biology, 4 units, minimum required grade A or B   

PLS 539           Methods in Cell Biology and Genomics, 3 units, minimum required grade A or B

PSIO 572         Quantitative Modeling of Biological Systems, 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 Student 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/ABSPSMSBB
Last revised 02 Dec 2022
The University of Arizona Graduate College
  • Graduate Catalog & Programs of Study
  • Graduate Admissions
  • Graduate Student Academic Services
  • Funding Resources
  • The Graduate Center
  • Policies
  • GradApp (Future Students)
  • GradPath (Current Students)
  • Toolkits
  • Contact Us
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
All content © 2013 - 2023 Arizona Board of Regents on behalf of the University of Arizona
Arizona's Commitment to Equity
University Information Security & Privacy