Doctor of Philosophy in Biological Systems Engineering

The Biological Systems Engineering Graduate Program aims to enhance the capacity for teaching and research in biological systems engineering, and train the future generation of professionals to address challenges associated with the sustainable production, management, and use of biological materials. Students gain advanced knowledge of the use of engineering to efficiently produce, distribute and process biological products, such as food, feed and fiber, while conserving natural resources, preserving environmental quality, and ensuring the health and safety of people. The Biological and Systems Engineering graduate program in the College of Engineering at UC Davis offers truly unique opportunities that enable students to realize their maximum potential. The specific objectives of our program are to enhance the capacity for teaching and research in biological systems engineering, and train the future generation of professionals to address challenges associated with the sustainable production, management, and use of biological materials.

The Ph.D program in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering emphasizes the science or research features of engineering. Completion of this program is intended to provide students with the ability to assist in the furtherance of the fundamental knowledge of engineering biological systems. Those students entering the program with a bachelor's of science should expect it to take 5 years. For students with a master's degree, the typical program length is 4 years. In addition to the course work, the program culminates in a written and oral examination as well as a dissertation.

Highly qualified students with or without a BS or MS degree in engineering may apply. However, students with a non-engineering BS degree need to meet additional prerequisites for admission and should make up deficiencies in engineering core and upper division courses. Applicants will have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or a graduate GPA of 3.25. Under some exceptional circumstances, students who only hold an undergraduate degree with a GPA below 3.0 may be conditionally admitted with a coursework only option for the purposes of demonstrating the ability to maintain a qualifying GPA at the graduate level prior to full admission.

TOEFL iBT - Minimum Score: 80

IELTS - Minimum Score: 7.0 on a 9-point scale

Duolingo English Test - Minimum Score: 115

Admission Deadlines
Priority: Jan 15
General: Apr 1
Space Available: Jun 1