Graduate program leading to the Master of Science with a major in biosystems engineering technology is available to graduates of a recognized curriculum in agriculture or other related fields. The program emphasizes the application of engineering to agricultural and other biological systems. Major focus areas of the program are machinery systems; environmental quality and resource conservation; instrumentation, sensor, and control systems; and bioprocessing. Depending upon the applicant’s academic background and interest area within the program, prerequisite courses may be required.

Options Available

Thesis option
Project option

Campus Code

Knoxville Campus

Admissions Standards/Procedures

To the Office of Graduate Admissions submit online application, application fee, and official transcripts. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is recommended but not required for admission to the program. Scores from the general GRE test are given different weights by various faculty advisors, so applicants are encouraged to directly contact their desired faculty advisor to determine the importance of this indicator to the success of their application. The online application procedure will also direct the applicant to submit an updated resume, three letters of reference (or three Graduate Rating Forms) from persons capable of assessing the applicant’s suitability for graduate work, and a statement of professional goals, research interests, and reasons for applying (less than one page). Each applicant will be advised about any prerequisite courses before entering a program. The student’s program of study must be approved by his/her advisory committee and must comply with the requirements of the Graduate Council.

Academic Standards

Students are required to choose Thesis or Course Only with Comprehensive Exam options in their first semester of study, in consultation with their major professor. Once an option is selected, it may only be changed with written approval of both the major professor and department head.

Thesis Option

Credit Hours Required

30 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• ESS 503  (1 credit hour) the last of which must be in the student’s final semester before graduation (3 credit hours)
• BSET 506 , and two other graduate courses in biosystems engineering technology (BSET) and biosystems engineering (BSE) (9 credit hours)
• Coursework in computational methods selected from mathematics (MATH), computer science (COSC), statistics (STAT), or any course containing appropriate computational components that may be approved by the department (6 credit hours)
• Program Electives, selected in consultation with the major professor and/or guidance committee (6 credit hours)
• BSET 500  Thesis (6 credit hours)
• NOTE: 20 credit hours must be in courses numbered 500 or above

Non-Course Requirements

• A significant aspect of graduate education beyond formal courses and thesis projects is active participation in the professional community which exists within academic departments at universities. Student/faculty seminars are one of the professionally rewarding activities of the community.
• Students must pass a final oral examination covering the thesis, related areas, and graduate coursework.

Project Option

Credit Hours Required

33 graduate credit hours

Required Courses

• ESS 503  (1 credit hour), the last of which must be in the student’s final semester before graduation) (3 credit hours)
• BSET 506 , and two other graduate courses in biosystems engineering technology (BSET) and biosystems engineering (BSE) (9 credit hours)
• Coursework in computational methods selected from mathematics (MATH), computer science (COSC), statistics (STAT), or any course containing appropriate computational components that may be approved by the department (6 credit hours)
• Program Electives, selected in consultation with the major professor and/or guidance committee (6 credit hours)
• Coursework in special emphasis area, selected in consultation with the major professor and/or guidance committee (6 credit hours)
• Capstone Experience (project and report, typically BSET 501  or BSET 508 ) (3 credit hours)

Non-Course Requirements

• A significant aspect of graduate education beyond formal courses and thesis projects is active participation in the professional community which exists within academic departments at universities. Student/faculty seminars are one of the professionally rewarding activities of the community. Accordingly, all graduate students are encouraged to participate in ESS 503  and other departmental seminars regardless of whether they are registered for seminar credit.
• Non-thesis students must pass a comprehensive written final examination covering the graduate program, including the capstone experience. At the discretion of the candidate’s committee, an oral examination may also be required.