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Our University Department was established in 1891. In 2018 the Department name, along with the graduate program names, changed to Biosystems Engineering. Like similar departments at most Land Grant universities, this department is jointly administered by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the College of Engineering The Biosystems Engineering Department Doctoral Degree program offers students the opportunity for study and research in many fields, including the following: Bioproducts; Biosensors; Controlled Environment; Mechanization & Automation; Remote Sensing & Precision Agriculture; Sensors & Controls; Renewable Energy; Water Resources & Irrigation systems. The flexibility of the program allows students, in consultation with their advisors, to develop programs especially suited to their needs.
Our vision: BE will be a world leader known for developing technologies and systems for the safe production of food, bioenergy, bioproducts, and biological information for sustainable use of arid and semi-arid environments. Students, constituents, and professionals will come from across the world to participate in our programs.
Please visit our website: be.arizona.edu
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.
College of Agriculture & Life Sciences
College of Engineering
University of Arizona - Main - Tucson
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Required test(s):
GRE:
Candidates must complete the GRE test.
International Language test:
International candidates must meet the UA Graduate College Requirements International Student for admittance:https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/requirements/international-applicants. TOEFL scores: Internet Based 79; Computer Based 213, Paper Based 550
ALL Candidates are required to send test scores to the University of Arizona Graduate College institutional code 4832. https://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/admin/test-scores
Please note that 1) the Department is not able to provide a guarantee of funding and 2) the International College requires that all international students provide a Financial Guarantee (see the Proof of Financial Resources located on http://grad.arizona.edu/admissions/admissions-requirements/international-students).
Graduate Tuition scholarships and Fellowships sponsored by the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, the University of Arizona Graduate College and the Department of Biosystems Engineering may be available on a competitive basis.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for institutional funding offered through the UA Graduate College, including Graduate Access Fellowships, UA/SIGP Fellowships, and NASA Scholarships, inaddition to UA Scholarship Universe. Domestic students should submit a Free Application for Federal Student Loans, FAFSA, to qualify for institutional funding http://fafsa.gov/. Detailed information on UA financial aid may be found at http://grad.arizona.edu/financial-resources.
Domestic Applicants:
UA Domestic Applicants:
International Applicants:
UA International Applicants:
Deadlines may be extended for candidates who are currently attending The University of Arizona, or Alumni of The University of Arizona. The University of Arizona alumni and current UA students need to contact Dava Jondall at davaj@email.arizona.edu to request permission to extend the application deadline.
International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.
4832
ETS Major Field Code(s) for this program: 0117, 0119, 0102, 0103, 0107, 0122, 0112, 0114, 0199, 0224, 0226, 0205, 0206, 0212, 0308, 0409, 0405, 0502, 0605, 0631, 0705, 1004, 1001, 1101, 1102, 1103, 1107, 1109, 1199, 1301, 1399, 1501, 1502, 1602, 1615, 1616, 1612, 1699
63
7.3.2 Minimum Course Requirements for BE PhD
For a PhD in Biosystems Engineering, students must complete a minimum of 63 units, consisting of the following:
All courses in the Plan of Study must be taken for a grade (A, B, C) except for BE 693 (Teaching Internship) and 1 unit of lab rotation (BE 593).
3 to 6 units of elective courses per approval of Major Professor (depending on the required minor units)
Students may choose a 1-unit lab rotation experience (BE 593) as an elective
To be considered for admissions, candidates must complete their graduate application through the University of Arizona Graduate Admissions online Application system, which includes uploading copies of Transcripts, GRE Test scores (all applicants) and/or Language Test scores (International applicants), as well as Letters of Recommendation and supplemental materials.
BE PhD students are required to complete a minor. The minor subject area may be taken inside or outside of the BE Department, BUT it must be in a different area than the major focus. The student may choose one or two minor areas, which are determined in consultation with his/her Major Professor. The department in which the minor is sought determines specific requirements. The Graduate College requires that the minimum number of minor coursework is nine (9) units, but most minor programs require twelve (12) units of coursework.
The following are some suggested minors for BE students: Soil, Water, and Environmental Science; Plant Sciences; Chemical and Environmental Engineering; Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics; Electrical and Computer Engineering; Hydrology and Water Resource; Resource Economics; Mathematics; Renewable Natural Resource; Systems and Industrial Engineering; Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering; Biomedical Engineering; and Optical Science.
Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.
| Program-level Information | |
|---|---|
| Application Acceptance Rate | 100% |
| Med. Time-to-degree (years) | 4.00 |
| Department-level Information | |
| Enrollment Percent Male | 59.46% |
| Enrollment Percent Female | 40.54% |
| Enrollment Percent International | 21.62% |
| Enrollment Percent URM | 8.11% |