Agricultural Engineering University

The PhD in Biological and Agricultural Engineering is oriented toward executing engineering solutions for feed, food and fiber production and/or postharvest processing problems. Problems addressed by this degree are generally at the bench scale as motivated by production firm issues.

The PhD in Biological Engineering and Agricultural Engineering provides an opportunity for defining an original research problem, applying advanced data analyses skills and presenting original research at professional meetings. PhD students receive opportunities to teach. The PhD in Biological and Agricultural Engineering will preserve and continue the enduring legacy of Biological and Agricultural Engineering research at the University of Georgia.

Admission Requirements

Those holding an MS degree in engineering or a related field and earned a GPA of 3.00 (out of 4.00) are invited to apply for admission. If the baccalaureate degree is in a field other than engineering, the applicant should have taken sophomore physics (electricity and magnetism, optics, and modern physics), differential equations and several engineering science courses. Examples of engineering science courses include electric circuits, mechanics (statics and fluids) and heat/mass transfer. Undergraduate and graduate academic transcripts, a statement of purpose, and three letters of recommendations must be submitted. Additionally, the General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required, and the GRE-PPI score is strongly encouraged. TOEFL is required for international students whose native language is other than English. Admission recommendations are based on a comprehensive analysis of the application package by the Graduate Advisory Committee. For more information, contact the Office of Graduate Coordinator via email or visit the UGA Graduate School website.

Degree Requirements

This degree requires at least 16 hours of 8000 level course work plus additional work as determined by the major professor, advisory committee and graduate coordinator. Typical plans of study contain approximately twenty-four semester hours of course work, including ENGR 6910, Research Methods, ENGR 8103, computational math, and one hour of ENGR 8950, seminar. Six hours of thesis research is also required. Math and statistics courses identified by the department committee and student are encouraged. Candidates must also complete a dissertation of quality satisfactory for publication of at least two papers in peer-reviewed journals. The College of Engineering places high value on advanced proficiency in mathematical sciences, the student’s selected area of specialty in engineering and sciences, and knowledge of research methodology.