Bioresources Engineering Graduate Program

The Master of Science in Bioresources Engineering is a new, vibrant, and diverse program that allows students to study land and water resources or plant and animal systems. A new flyer on the program is available for download (pdf).

The program especially encourages interdisciplinary education and research and provides the students with a greater choice and flexibility in shaping their education.

Students are encouraged to address “real world” problems and participate in “hands-on” field and laboratory experiences so that they are better prepared to take on future challenges in industry, government, and academia.

The BREG Masters Degree program focuses on two areas: land and water resources and plant and animal systems. Potential research areas for students concentrating on land and water resources include projects in nonpoint pollution, stormwater and watershed management, water quality modeling, bioremediation, land application of wastewater, irrigation water management and vegetative control on drainage ditches. Representative projects for students focusing on plant and animal systems include plant and animal systems includes projects on vegetable harvesting, mushroom environmental management, poultry house environmental management and sensor technology.

The Bioresources Engineering Masters degree program currently has funded openings for graduate students. Potential candidates for the BREG Masters degree program should meet the following criteria:

a. A BS in engineering or related field.
b. An undergraduate index of 2.8 overall and 3.0 in their major field of study out of 4.0 or the equivalent for students with degrees outside the US.
c. Completion of mathematics through differential equations.
d. A combined score of 1050 on the verbal and quantitative portions
of the GRE.
e. A paper-based TOEFL score of at least 550 (or 213 computer- based) is required for non-native English students.
f. Three letters of recommendations that address the student’s likelihood of successfully completing graduate education. Students who do not meet all of the criteria, but are interested in graduate study, should discuss possibilities with the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Eric Benson (ebenson@udel.edu) to discuss possible alternatives. Students may be admitted on a provisional basis and allowed to address completion of subject area deficiencies as indicated by the department Graduate Studies Committee.

To apply to the BREG Masters Degree program, applicants must apply through the Office of Graduate Studies.

If you have any questions about how well you could fit in the Masters Degree in Bioresources Engineering, contact the Graduate Coordinator, Dr. Eric Benson (ebenson@udel.edu).

A minimum of 30 credits is required for the Master of Science degree. It
is to include 24 credits of approved course work and 6 credits of thesis (BREG 869). Of the 24 credit hours of approved course work, at least 3 credits must be a statistics or advanced math course. Only graduate level courses (500 – 599), (600 - 699), (800 - 899) are applicable towards the course requirements. Selection of courses will be done in consultation with the chair of the thesis committee based upon the student’s interest and area of research.

Most graduate students in the Bioresources Engineering Department are supported by a combination of project funding, departmental graduate assistantships, and/or fellowships. Potential graduate fellowship or assistantships available to graduate students in the department include the Institute for Soil and Environmental Quality Fellowships, Avian Bioscience Center Fellowships, University Graduate Fellowships, and minority fellowships are also available. Students should also contact faculty to explore assistantship opportunities.

Upon acceptance into the program, students will meet with their advisor to
formalize their curriculum. They will choose approved course relevant to their area of study and research (Land and Water Resource, Plant and Animal Systems).

Update Date: 1/14/2008