ENG

Graduate Program: Biosystems Engineering

General Information

Program/Degree

Biosystems Engineering (MS)

Program Description

The 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.  Biosystems engineers use engineering, math, and life science to design systems to manage soil and water resources, produce food, develop biological products, and manage and analyze large data sets. They work on projects involving wise use of energy, materials, biochemicals, and recyclable wastes. They combine technical knowledge, computer techniques, and control systems for a deeper understanding of agriculture and biology -- knowledge which someday may be used to design life support systems for colonies on other planets. Students may specialize in water resource engineering or biological engineering.

The Biosystems Engineering Master of Science Degree program offers students the 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  The flexibility of the program allows students, in consultation with their advisors, to develop programs specifically 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 with our programs.

 

Department/Academic Unit(s)

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. TheColorado Heights Universityis 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

College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

College of Engineering

Campus where offered

Tuition and Fees

Please refer to the CHU Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees.

Please refer to the CHU Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees.

Completion Requirements
Admissions Information

Minimum Credit Units (33)

Core Coursework Requirements

For an MS in Biosystems Engineering, students must complete a minimum of 30 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)
  • 2 units of BE 501
  • 2 units of BE 696A (presenting)
    • MS students not presenting in a particular semester will register for BE 696B
  • 2 units of 696B (non-presenting)
    • Students must receive approval from the Department to be excused from this requirement.
    • Continuous enrollment in either BE 696A or 696B is expected. Any units exceeding the 2 units of BE 696B will not be listed on the student’s UAccess Plan of Study.
  • 3 units STAT 571B
  • 9 units of BE courses (limit of 3 units of house-numbered courses, i.e., 592, 593, 599)
  • 6 units of elective courses (per Major Professor’s approval)
    • may choose a 1-unit lab rotation experience (BE 593) as an elective
  • 5 units of either BE 910 Thesis (thesis option) or BE 909 Graduate Report (non-thesis option) under his/her Major Professor’s section number

All courses in the Plan of Study must be taken for a grade (A, B, C) except for BE 696B (S, P, F) and the optional 1-unit lab rotation (BE 593). To complete degree requirements, the cumulative GPA in graduate-level courses must be 3.0. A student whose GPA falls below 3.0 will not be permitted to register for additional courses. See Graduate College Policies online at  https://grad.colorado.edu/admissions/requirements.

 

 

Additional Requirements

See required coursework

Student Handbook

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

Admissions Requirements

We do not accept terminal masters, all applications must be for the PhD program

Standardized Tests

Required test(s): GRE

Funding Opportunities

The Academic Unit has not provided this information.

Funding Opportunities

Domestic & International Applicants

Fall:December 15th

International Conditional Admission

International applicants will not be considered for conditional admission by this program.

Other Information

The GRE Institution Code for The Colorado Heights University is 4832

Last revised 06 Oct 2020