Biosystems Engineering (Doctoral) at Michigan State University

Programme overview

The PhD in Biosystems Engineering prepares graduates for advanced careers requiring demonstrated research skills and comprehensive knowledge of the discipline, and is intended for students with outstanding ability shown in a master's degree or exceptional bachelor's-level achievement. Faculty and students research food safety and quality, sustainable ecosystems and resource conservation, bioenergy and bioproducts, and health-related diagnostics and risk-assessment tools.

Faculty: College of Agriculture and Natural Resources | Department: Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering | Duration: Minimum 38 course credits beyond the bachelor's degree plus at least 24 credits of BE 999 dissertation research | Study mode: full-time | Location: East Lansing, MI, United States

What you will study

Required courses include BE 815 Experimentation and Instrumentation, BE 820 Research Methods, BE 835 Modeling Methods and BE 892 Seminar, plus 400-level-or-above courses in biological science and in quantitative analysis or mathematics, and an 800-level statistics course. Students pass a comprehensive examination within two years, submit at least two first-authored papers to refereed journals, and defend a dissertation.

Career pathways

Careers in teaching and/or research in universities, the private sector or government organisations.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

GRE General Test scores required. Regular admission: normally a master's degree, plus either a BS in engineering or a master's degree in engineering, and evidence of ability to complete a doctoral programme based on academic record, test scores, experience, reference statements, professional qualifications and proposed studies. Admission without a master's degree needs special approval by the department and dean. Provisional admission is possible where collateral courses are needed or the record is incomplete. Some engineering collateral courses may be required as part of a conditional admission for strong applicants not meeting core biosystems engineering competence.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the modules you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

Duration: Minimum 38 course credits beyond the bachelor's degree plus at least 24 credits of BE 999 dissertati

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.msu.edu/apply/graduate-students

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