Admission Requirements

Students seeking a master's 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 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 grading scale).  Students having lower grade point averages or having non-engineering degrees may be admitted subject to conditions agreed upon by the adviser and the Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Graduate Program Committee.

Students seeking a Ph.D. should have a master'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 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 grading scale). Students expecting to pursue a Ph.D. normally complete an M.S., Plan A degree before starting their Ph.D. programs. Students having lower grade point averages, or having non-engineering degrees, or wanting to go straight into a Ph.D. program from the bachelor's level may be admitted subject to conditions agreed upon by the adviser and the Graduate Program Committee.

To apply, please submit the following:

To the program:

To the Graduate School:

  • Online application for admission (through Apply Yourself) with fee ($55 US citizens & permanent resident applicants, $75 international applicants)
  • Three letters of reference: The people submitting reference letters on your behalf may send their letters electronically through the ApplyYourself Application System. For those people who wish to submit their letter of reference on paper, you can download and print a copy of the reference form.
  • Statement of purpose focusing on career objectives, teaching/research experience, and publications (if any)
  • Official transcripts
  • For international applicants who first language is not English - English Language Proficiency Examination (TOEFL, MELABM, IELTS)
  • Refer to admissions information on the Graduate School web server for more information.

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) are not required, but GRE scores are highly recommended for students who do not have engineering degrees, have degrees from institutions outside the United States, or have GPAs near the preferred performance level (3.0/4.0). The GRE institutional code is 6874 and the department code is 1602 (Agricultural Engineering). Graduate Record Exam web site.

Letters of reference should be submitted online by the applicant’s recommenders using the Apply Yourself system. Recommenders should write a thoughtful and candid evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications and complete all accompanying forms.

Official transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate School at the address below. Transcripts addressed to the applicant and then submitted to the Graduate School, even if sealed and unopened, are not considered official.

For non-native speakers of English, TOEFL scores of 213 or better on the computer-based test (or 550 on the paper-based test) are required by the Graduate School. Scores on the new Internet-based TOEFL must total at least 79, with section scores of at least 21 in Writing and 19 in Reading. Read more information about the TOEFL and other tests that applicants may take to meet the Graduate School’s language requirement. The TOEFL institutional code is 6874 and the department code is 69 (Engineering, Other). The Graduate School has more information on its admission standards for the TOEFL exam. TOEFL Language Exam web site.

International Universities Because of the variation in programs at international Universities, it is difficult for us to evaluate the preparation level of students. We expect our students to have had training in engineering science that includes basic material in thermodynamics, strength of materials, fluids, and electricity.

If you have specific questions, contact:

Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering
University of Minnesota
1390 Eckles Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55108
Telephone: (612) 625-7733
FAX: (612) 624-3005
email: bbe@umn.edu

 

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