Brookings Main Campus
Make new discoveries about the natural world.
The master’s program in biological sciences provides advanced coursework and opportunities to do research in one or more of the academic departments participating in this multidisciplinary program: agricultural and biosystems engineering; agronomy, horticulture and plant science; biology and microbiology; dairy and food science; natural resource management; and veterinary and biomedical sciences.
Considerable latitude in coursework is allowed to tailor a program to a student’s interest. While the training of most students is largely directed to a single discipline represented within one of the participating departments, cross-discipline training is available. Generally, identification of a major professor with resources to support the student’s thesis project is required for unconditional acceptance into the program. Therefore, interested persons should make application for program admission well in advance of the anticipated date of enrollment. Please refer to each departmental section for a listing of the graduate faculty and details regarding the areas of study offered in this program. Inquiries should be made directly to the department representing the discipline of interest.
Is it for you?
This program will be a good fit if you:
- Have an undergraduate degree in basic science, agriculture, food science, nutrition or natural resources.
- Enjoy life and natural sciences and want to address critical related to efficient food production, natural resource management, environmental sustainability or health of plants, animals or humans.
- Want to develop multidisciplinary expertise to address complex problems.
Career Opportunities
- Design and manage efficient food production systems
- Natural resource management and conservation
- Laboratory research
- Product development
- Quality control and food safety
- Human, animal and plant health