M.S. & Ph.D. in Biosystems Engineering
4
Research Areas
Fall & Spring
Entry Terms
Tucson, Yuma
Coursework Locations
We offer M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Biosystems Engineering, equipping students to tackle challenges in soil and water management, food production, biological product development, and large data set analysis. Our programs integrate engineering, math and life sciences to develop innovative resource applications that could someday help design life support solutions on other planets.
About the Biosystems Engineering Programs
Our Biosystems Engineering graduate programs are ideal for students passionate about applying engineering principles to solve environmental and agricultural challenges. If you have a background in engineering and math or life sciences, and are eager to use your skills to design systems for managing soil and water resources, producing food, and developing biological products, this program is for you. You will learn to work on projects involving energy conservation, material use, biochemical development, and recyclable waste management.
These programs prepare you for a future where you can combine technical knowledge with computer techniques and control systems to deeply understand and innovate in agriculture and biology. Specialize in water resource engineering or biological engineering, and gain the expertise to design life support systems for potential colonies on other planets. Join us to advance your career and make a meaningful impact.
Contact the Department of Biosystems Engineering Graduate Coordinator for more information.
Review the eligibility requirements below and visit our graduate admissions page learn more.
- Must hold a B.S. Degree
- Meet the minimum cumulative GPA requirements
- 3.00 to qualify for M.S.
- 3.30 to qualify for Ph.D.
- Candidates who do not meet the minimum GPA requirements applications will not be considered for review.
- Upload 3 letters of recommendation
- Unofficial transcripts from all attended institutions
- International students must follow the Graduate College language test requirements
With a focus on engineering, our program serves the growing fields of technology, biology and analytics, preparing you for various career paths from academia to industry. You'll gain real-world experience in combining biological, physical, and data sciences with technology to address environmental, ecological, biological, agricultural and human systems.
Review the program curriculum guides below to see the units required and course options available for each program.
The Department of Biosystems Engineering Graduate Handbook provides comprehensive information regarding admissions, curriculum and policies for all graduate students. You are encouraged to download and review the handbook to stay aware of program policies.
Program research areas
Climate change and population add to the challenge of food scarcity. Controlled environment agriculture (CEA) uses technology to manipulate a crop’s environment for optimal growth. Greenhouses, aquaculture, hydroponics, and aquaponics are all examples of CEA. The Controlled Environment Agriculture Center (CEAC) within the Biosystems Engineering department is well-equipped, with support from CALES and UA mechanisms, to help you focus your studies on innovating controlled environment systems.
In Biosystems Engineering, you'll tackle the critical role of water resources in Arizona's future prosperity. As you explore the impacts of climate change and urbanization on water availability, you'll learn essential skills in water resource engineering. From understanding how Arizona's warming climate affects water quality to addressing the engineering needs of underserved stakeholders like Native American and Hispanic farmers, urban landowners, and small businesses, you'll be equipped to innovate sustainable solutions. This program prepares you to play a vital role in managing water resources for agriculture, manufacturing, and municipal sectors, ensuring Arizona's continued growth and environmental resilience.
Biometry and biosystems informatics focuses on health issues like pathogenic diseases affecting humans, animals, and the environment. Emerging infectious diseases such as avian and swine influenza, SARS, and E. coli are closely linked to animals, food, and ecological systems. To tackle these challenges, solutions must be explored at the ecological level.
The Biosystems Engineering department excels in addressing these issues with innovative tools like smartphone and cloud-based diagnostics, big data analysis, genomic and proteomic identification, lab-on-a-chip biosensors, and nanotechnology-based sensing and therapeutics. Join us to be at the forefront of combating infectious diseases through cutting-edge technology and interdisciplinary research.
Arizona has great potential to become a large-scale producer of renewable bioenergy and bioproducts from sources like sugar, oil, green waste, and algae. The region already has one full-scale ethanol production facility, and we are working with them to utilize new biomass sources. Arizona could become a model for semi-arid land production of renewable fuels, demonstrating responsible use of water, land, and workforce. Focusing your studies in utilizing residual biomass is a allows you to develop economic and sustainable solutions to global energy challenges.