Graduate Program: Biosystems Engineering (Minor)

The Biosystems Engineering Department focuses on biological systems and water-related issues such as irrigation and water quality, and biosystems applications, including computer modeling, sensors and controls, and systems design and evaluation. The Biosystems Engineering Department is developing innovative systems to sustainably feed an increasing population through cutting-edge technology, sustainable practices, and the drive to make a difference in the world. We build sustainable solutions that create resilience among society, the environment, and the economy. We are currently working on many projects, including the following:

• Optimizing growth conditions in controlled environment agriculture

• Finding alternative fuel and feed sources

• Irrigating crops sustainably

• Analyzing big data sets generated from using sensors and controls and looking at metagenomics

Our graduate students are developing innovative systems to tackle quality of life issues regarding food and water availability.  Equipped with engineering, life science, and data science expertise, our students are prepared to address quality of life challenges and create resiliency among society, the environment, and the economy.  

The Biosystems Engineering Department offers the following graduate programs: Accelerated Master of Science (for Current UofA BEUndergraduate students), Biosystems Engineering Master of Science Degree and Biosystems Analytics & Technology Master of Science Degree, the Biosystems Engineering Doctor of Philosophy Degree, and the Biosystems Analytics & Technology Doctor of Philosophy Degree.

Our Biosystems Engineering graduate degree programs can be designed to fit almost any need in the general field of the application of science, technology, or engineering principles.

The flexibility of our graduate programs allows international and domestic students, in consultation with their advisors, to develop programs specifically suited to their needs. The University of Arizona is a diverse institution and therefore provides courses in many different areas to support specific and general applications. Interdisciplinary desires of students are met by taking classes across the broad spectrum available in the College of Engineering and the College of Agriculture and other divisions on campus.

There is an opportunity for study and research in many fields, including the following:

Controlled Environment Agriculture; Water Resources; Biometry and Biosystems Informatics; Food, Bioproducts, and Renewable Energy, precision agriculture, statistical informatics, data-mining, and cyberinfrastructure development.

Candidates who wish to complete an Engineering Degree should apply to either the Biosystems Engineering MS program or the Biosystems Engineering Ph.D. program. The Biosystems Engineering degree programs prepare graduates to design engineering solutions, as well as, utilize technology and data to solve real-world problems in biological field of precision agriculture, remote sensing, water management, statistical informatics, data-mining, and cyberinfrastructure development.

Candidates who wish to complete a Science-based Technology degree should apply to either the Biosystems Analytics & Technology MS program or Biosystems Analytics & Technology Ph.D. program.  The Biosystems Analytics & Technology MS and Ph.D. programs prepare graduates to use technology and data to solve biological problems related to precision agriculture, remote sensing, water management, statistical informatics, data-mining, and cyberinfrastructure development.