| |  | | Bioproducts and Biosystems Science Engineering and Management
| Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information—Director of Graduate Studies, Department
of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering, University of Minnesota, 1390 Eckles
Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55108-6005 (612-625-7733; fax 612-624-3005; bbe@umn.edu; www.bbe.umn.edu).
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the General
Information section of this catalog for Graduate School requirements that apply
to all major fields.
Curriculum—The bioproducts and biosystems
science engineering and management (BBSEM) graduate program
provides a strong foundation in the basic sciences, engineering
and management in support of the renewable bio-resources
utilization, environmental quality, and national security
while improving our global competitiveness. The areas of
specialization include bioproducts science and engineering,
biosystems science and engineering, and bioproducts marketing
and management. Bioproducts science and engineering specialization
focuses on the fundamental science and engineering of the
various manufacturing processes used in the sustainable
conversion of the biomass into bio-based industrial and
consumer products and their effective end-use applications.
Bioproducts include "green" materials, chemicals
and energy derived from bio-resources including biofuels,
bioenergy, biocomposites, bio-based plastics, adhesives,
pulp and paper, building materials and more. Biosystems
science and engineering specialization is designed for
students who seek to develop a strong foundation in physical
sciences and engineering principles which are applied to
important problems involving biological systems. Potential
areas of interest include water and soil management and
protection; livestock environment; food engineering and
value-added processing; machinery systems design; grain
quality; safety, health, and risk management; renewable
energy systems; and waste management. Bioproducts marketing
and management specialization is designed for graduate
students who seek to build on a strong diverse background
encompassing liberal arts, basic sciences, communications
and product development, and marketing and management of
bioproducts.
Prerequisites for Admission—The BBSEM graduate program offer's master's (M.S.B.B.S.E.M. Plan A and Plan B) and doctorate (Ph.D) degrees. Students seeking a graduate degree should have a bachelor's degree in engineering, mathematics or the physical or biological sciences, or a related field from a recognized U.S. or international university. Applicants should have a preferred performance level of at least a 3.00 grade point average (on a 4.00 grading scale). Students having lower grade point averages may be admitted subject to review and approval by the graduate program committee and meeting prior conditions agreed upon by the adviser, student, and the graduate program committee. Students planning to work toward the Ph.D. may apply to the M.S.B.B.S.E.M. program and earn a master's degree on the way to earning the Ph.D, or may apply directly to the Ph.D. program.
Special Application Requirements—The Graduate Records Examination (GRE) is not required, but GRE scores are highly recommended for students who have degrees from institutions outside the United States, or have a low GPA. The GRE is required for consideration of graduate fellowships. Students are admitted each semester.
Key to test abbreviations (GRE, TOEFL, GMAT, MELAB).
 For an online application or for more information about Graduate School admissions, see the General Information section in this catalog, or visit the Graduate School Web site.
Courses—Courses—Refer to Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering (BBE) in the course section of this catalog or in Twin
Cities Courses on the University Catalog Web site for courses pertaining to the program.
|
M.S.B.B.S.E.M. Degree Requirements | | Students are required to complete a minimum of 14 course credits in the major field, 6 course credits in a related field or a minor for master's degree. Major field is defined as subject areas directly in the area of study. Plan A students must take an additional 10 thesis credits (BBE 8777). Plan B is similar to the Plan A except that instead of completing a major research project and writing a thesis, students complete a smaller project or projects that involve a total of about 120 hours of work and write Plan B papers on their projects. Plan B students take 20 course credits plus 10 credits in areas agreed upon by the adviser and graduate faculty. The program of study with detailed coursework plan must be approved by the director of graduate studies and selected faculty member(s) from graduate program committee.
Language Requirements—None.
Final Exam—Students must present a public seminar and pass a final oral exam. Students must also meet all Graduate School requirements regarding the final exam.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—A minor consists of at least 6 credits of BBE courses numbered 4xxx or higher.
| Ph.D. Degree Requirements | The Ph.D. in bioproducts and biosystems science engineering and management requires extended study and intense intellectual effort conducting cutting edge research and advancing the forefront of knowledge in the subject matter area. Students develop skills that enable them to define problems or research questions, plan research, conduct independent research and/or lead research efforts, analyze data, and effectively communicate research results to a variety of audiences. All Ph.D. degree programs must include a minimum of 45 graduate course credits beyond the B.S. degree and a minimum of 24 doctoral thesis credits (BBE 8888). A minimum of 12 course credits must be in a minor field or in a supporting program. Ph.D. degree programs should contain a minimum of 9 course credits in a concentrated area of scientific or mathematical theoretical development that is related to the student's research.
Language Requirements—None.
Final Exam—Students must pass preliminary written and oral exams, write a dissertation, and pass a final oral exam. Students must also meet all Graduate School requirements regarding the final exam.
Minor Requirements for Students Majoring in Other Fields—A
minor consists of at least 12 credits of BBE courses numbered 4xxx or higher. |
Faculty | | For latest graduate faculty listings, see <www.grad.umn.edu/faculty_rosters/faculty.html>. Key to membership categories (abbreviations after faculty names).
Professor
Mrinal Bhattacharya, SM
Charles J. Clanton, SM
Philip R. Goodrich, SM
Forrest T. Izuno, SM
Larry D. Jacobson, SM
Kevin A. Janni, SM
Theodore P. Labuza, Food Science and Nutrition, SM
R. Vance Morey, SM
John L. Nieber, SM
Shri Ramaswamy, SM
Rongsheng R. Ruan, SM
Simo Sarkanen, SM
William F. Wilcke, SM
Bruce N. Wilson, SM
Adjunct Professor
John M. Shutske, University of Wisconsin-Madison, SM
Associate Professor
James J. Boedicker, M2
Jonathan Chaplin, SM
Philip R. Goodrich, SM
Patrick Huelman, M
Gary R. Sands, SM
Steve J. Severtson, SM
Tim Smith, SM
Sangwon Suh, SM
Ulrike W. Tschirner, SM
Ping Wang, SM
Jun Zhu, SM
Assistant Professor
Mindy L. Erickson, AM2
Harlan D. Petersen, M
Jonathan Schilling, SM
Sangwon Suh, SM
William Tze, SM
Research Associate
Robert T. Seavey, M
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