Master's Programs
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (M.S.)
Graduate work in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering leads to Master of Science in agricultural and biosystems engineering, Doctor of Philosophy in agricultural and biosystems engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy in biological sciences degrees.
Students who undertake graduate studies in agricultural and biosystems engineering normally have as their goal a better understanding of the current theories, principles, issues and problems in agricultural, environmental and biological systems. Graduate studies improve the student’s ability to think critically and creatively and to synthesize, analyze and integrate ideas for decision-making and problem solving.
The department offers students an opportunity to undertake research and advanced study in specialization areas such as food and biomaterial processing, physical properties of biological materials, natural resource engineering, structures, indoor environment, waste management and machine design.
Master of Engineering (M.Eng.)
A Master of Engineering is offered through the Jerome J. Lohr College of Engineering. Primary and secondary course requirements are defined in the SDSU Graduate Bulletin. Areas of specialization for agricultural and biosystems engineering include machine vision, biomaterials processing, soil and water engineering, structures and machine design.
The Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) program is designed to allow students to pursue advanced training in engineering and science, while simultaneously developing workplace capabilities and skills highly valued by employers for management, leadership, and other professional responsibilities.
The M.Eng. builds upon the undergraduate engineering degree as a ‘capstone’ sequence composed of advanced engineering discipline courses and applied management and leadership courses. The M.Eng. is considered a terminal or professional degree as it does not culminate in a thesis or research project. This coursework-only graduate program is tailored to meet the needs of working professionals and senior-level engineering students seeking advanced education via the graduate degree.
The M.Eng. has a dedicated industrial advisory board to provide input and guidance on expected student competencies and program outcomes. These are the board approved program competencies:
At the time of graduation from the Master of Engineering program, students will have:
- In-depth technical knowledge in engineering.
- Knowledge of contemporary leadership and management in professional practice.
- A demonstrated ability to apply engineering, management and leadership concepts.
- A demonstrated ability to effectively communicate verbally, graphically and in writing.
Professional Science (M.S.)
The professional science (M.S.) is a professional science master’s (PSM) degree that combines advanced training in STEM fields with project management skills, leadership and supervisory skills to produce in-demand, working graduates. PSM programs prepare students for science careers in business, government, or nonprofit organizations, where workforce needs are increasing. Graduates also work with the federal government or for university technology transfer operations. The professional science program has been designed to allow students to select an area of emphasis – applied physics, biotechnology, environmental policy, food technology, geographic information sciences or precision agriculture – to combine with professional management coursework for the STEM workplace and align with career goals.
Ph.D. Programs
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering (Ph.D.)
All students will be required to complete 14 credits of core course work shown below. Core courses will provide a broad foundation covering basic graduate concepts in agricultural and biosystems engineering compliance and research ethics. Several core courses are unique in the nation and make this program novel and highly integrated. Elective coursework will provide students with the opportunity for greater depth in a topical area and will usually be directly related to their dissertation research topic. Students entering with a Bachelor’s degree must complete 90 credits (30 coursework and 60 dissertation) and students entering with a master’s degree must complete 60 credits (20 coursework and 40 dissertation).
Students who undertake this graduate degree normally have as their goal a better understanding of the current theories, principles, issues, and problems in agricultural and biological. Graduate studies improve the student’s ability to think critically and creatively, and to synthesize, analyze and integrate ideas for decision-making and problem solving.
Biological Sciences (Ph.D.) Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Specialization
The Ph.D. in biological sciences with a specialization in agricultural and biosystems engineering shares a common core with several other departments. Students who undertake graduate studies in agricultural and biosystems engineering normally have as their goal a better understanding of the current theories, principles, issues, and problems in agricultural and biological systems. Graduate studies improve the student’s ability to think critically and creatively and to synthesize, analyze and integrate ideas for decision-making and problem solving.
The department offers students an opportunity to undertake research and advanced study biological sciences with in relation to specialization areas such as food and biomaterial processing, physical properties of biological materials, natural resource engineering, structures, indoor environment, waste management and machine design.
Certificate
Precision Agriculture Certificate
The precision agriculture certificate is a 12-credit graduate certificate that provides knowledge and practical experience for students to have an advanced experience with precision farming and its protocols. Individuals that complete this certificate will be well prepared to advance in their career paths in the modern agricultural industry that utilizes advanced precision technology. Agriculture is experiencing a fast-paced evolution as technology continues to develop. Precision agriculture has emerged with an array of new and exciting – and increasingly high-tech – tools. The integration of computer technology with farm equipment, farm sensors, GPS navigation, satellite imagery and drone imagery are quickly revolutionizing agricultural production. Given the strong interest in advanced agricultural practices utilizing precision techniques, individuals with the type of training provided by this certificate program will be in high demand. Individuals may currently be in or pursuing careers in agronomy, agribusiness organizations, ranch management, geographic information science, geography, Game, Fish and Parks (GFP), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), environmental non-government organizations (NGOs) or sustainability. Complete the graduate certificate as a stand-alone credential or stacked into the Professional Science (M.S.). Even better, it is available online, making it a great option for working professionals wishing to enhance their skills in a critical area.
For more information about these degrees, check out the Graduate Catalog.