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 Pharmacy
    • 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
  • By Degree
    • Certificate
    • Doctorate
    • Masters
    • Masters (Accelerated)
    • Minor
  • By Campus
    • Arizona Online - Online
    • Community Campus - Community Campus- Outreach
    • Distance - Chandler
    • Distance - Flowing Wells
    • Distance - North Valley-Paradise Valley
    • Distance - Yuma
    • Global Direct - Online
    • Global Microcampus - Ajman - Gulf Medical Univ
    • Global Microcampus - Amman - PSUT
    • Global Microcampus - Amrita Vishwa Vidyapeetham
    • Global Microcampus - Lima - UPC
    • Global Microcampus - Online
    • Global Microcampus - Shenzhen Finance Institute
    • Phoenix - Phoenix
    • Southern Arizona - Pima Community College East
    • 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: Biosystems Engineering (PHD)

General Information

Request Information
Program/Degree
Biosystems Engineering (PHD)  
Program Description

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

 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

Biosystems Engineering

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.

Engineering Administration

 
College

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

College of Engineering

 
Campus where offered

University of Arizona - Main - Tucson

 
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Dava Renee Jondall
520-621-1753
Graduate Program Coordinator
Dava Renee Jondall
520-621-1753
Director of Graduate Studies
Muluneh Yitayew
520-621-7232
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Annie Prisbrey
520-621-0119
 
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

T

Candidates who wish to apply must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  1. Must hold a B.S. or M.S.
  2. Meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirements of 3.3
    • Candidates who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements applications will not be considered for review.
  3. Complete the GRE Exam.
  4. Upload 3 letters of recommendation
  5. Applicants must upload unofficial pdf versions of all transcripts when submitting their application in our GradApp system. 
  6. International students must follow the Graduate College language test requirements.
 
Standardized Tests

R

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

 
Funding Opportunities

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.

 
Admissions Deadlines

Domestic Applicants:

  • Fall:January 30
  • Spring: August 31

UA Domestic Applicants:

  • Fall:April 30
  • Spring: October 1
  • Candidates seeking funding should apply before the recommended deadlines

International Applicants:

  • Fall: January 30
  • Spring: August 31

UA International Applicants:

  • Fall: April 30
  • Spring: October 1
  • Candidates seeking funding or Visa Extention, should apply before the recommended deadlines.

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 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

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

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

63 

Core Coursework Requirements

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:

  • 1 unit BE 597A (Effective 08-2020; for prior catalogs, can be substituted with 1 unit or BE 593 or Elective course)
  • 1 unit of BE 597A
  • 2 units of BE 501
  • 3 units of STAT 571B
  • 1 units of BE 696B (non-presenting)
    • Continuous enrollment in BE 696B for each semester he/she is not presenting is expected. Students must receive approval from the Department to be excused from this requirement
    • Any units exceeding the 2 units of BE 696B will not be listed on the student’s UAccess Plan of Study
  • 4 units of BE 696A (presenting)
    • Any units exceeding the 4 units of BE 696A will not be listed on the student’s Plan of Study
    • EXCEPTION: Candidates with a BE MS degree are only required to take 2 units as the other 2 units were earned from their MS program
  • 6 units of either Numerical Analysis, or other approved Mathematics/ Modeling courses
  • 12 units of BE courses (limit of 3 units of house-numbered courses, i.e., 592, 593, 599)
    • may choose a 1-unit lab rotation experience (BE 593) as an elective
  • 3 to 6 units of elective courses per approval of Major Professor (depending on the required minor units)
    • may choose a 1-unit lab rotation experience (BE 593) as an elective
  • 18 units (minimum) of Dissertation units (BE 920)
  • 9 to 12 units in the minor, depending on the Minor Department requirements

 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).

 
Elective Coursework

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

 
Additional Requirements

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. 

 
Minor Requirements for Doctoral Students in this Program

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.

 
 
Student Handbook

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

 

Program StatisticsInformation about these numbers

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%

Back to statistics
  • All application, admit, and enrollment data are from Fall 2020.
  • Median Time to Degree calculates how long graduates in the last 5 years (2015-2019) took to complete their degrees, counting back to the first semester entering their program.
  • Underrepresented Minorities (URM) includes domestic students of ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in higher education: African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Native Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders.

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/BEPHD
Last revised 07 Oct 2020
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 - 2021 Arizona Board of Regents.
Information Security & Privacy