Agricultural and Biological Engineering (Engineering)

Program Information

The degrees of Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy are offered with graduate programs in agricultural and biological engineering through the College of Engineering. Students must have an undergraduate or graduate degree in Engineering or meet specific articulation requirements in order to pursue an advanced degree in engineering.

For students without an engineering degree, The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in agricultural and biological engineering are offered in the areas of agricultural operations management and applied science through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. Students must have a degree in a related field or meet specific articulation requirements.

A combination B.S./M.S. or B.S./M.E. for Engineering students program allows up to 12 graduate credits to be double-counted toward fulfillment of both degrees. Contact the graduate coordinator for qualifications and details. A 30-credit, nonthesis master's degree program is also available to students interested in completing the requirements in 1 year.

The Master of Science, Master of Engineering, and Doctor of Philosophy (Engineering) degrees are offered in the following areas of research:

Agricultural production engineering includes development and application of precision agriculture concepts and tools, weather and climate risk in agriculture, decision support systems, food security, pesticide application, post-harvest operations robotics and other machine systems and environmental control systems. Applications to space biology are included in cooperation with NASA at Kennedy Space Center.

Biological engineering includes includes biocomplexity analysis, ecological modeling, risk and decision analysis, bioprocess design, plant biotechnology, process microbiology, food process engineering, environmental biotechnology, bioreactors, and packaging science.

Information systems includes development and application of GIS and remote sensing, communications, mathematical modeling, data solutions, and expert systems techniques to biological and agricultural systems.

Land and water resources includes soil-water-plant relations, irrigation, water quality, watershed hydrology, BMP and TMDL studies, hydrologic modeling, ecological restoration, environmental fate and transport of nanoparticles, waste management, and water reuse.

Students also may choose to participate in interdisciplinary concentrations in hydrologic sciences, geographic information sciences, particle science and technology, and interdisciplinary ecology.

The Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy (CALS) in the agricultural operations management area of specialization provide for scientific training and research in technical agricultural management. Typical plans of study focus on advanced training in environmental systems management, production systems management, construction and process management and technical sales management.

In addition, for students with basic science degrees, the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy programs with a specialization in applied sciences through the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences provides advanced training in problem-solving capabilities, interdisciplinary research, and methods for applying science to real-world problems and issues. Typical emphasis is on:

1. the use of engineering methods and approaches, such as mathematical modeling, optimization, and information technologies, in application of science to problems of various spatial and temporal scales; and
2. an interdisciplinary experience in research at the doctoral level.

The requirements for a master's degree normally take 2 years to complete. The length of time required for the Doctor of Philosophy degree depends partly on the research topic, but normally takes 3 to 4 years.

Additional information can also be found on the graduate studies pages on the department website at www.abe.ufl.edu.

Agricultural & Biological Engineering (PHD)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Employ mathematics, science and engineering principles to solve problems in the discipline of Agricultural and Biological Engineering

SLO 2     Skills     
Apply, analyze, and synthesize content knowledge to plan and conduct scholarly activities that make original contributions to the knowledge base in the field of study by identifying components or processes of agricultural and/or biological systems to meet desired needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability constraints.

SLO 3     Professional Behavior   
Display ethical behavior, cultural sensitivity, teamwork, professional conduct and effective communication.

Agricultural & biological engineering (MS and ME)

SLO 1     Knowledge        
Identifies, describes, explains, and applies the mathematics, science and engineering principles of the discipline of Agricultural and Biological Engineering.

SLO 2     Skills     
Apply, analyze, and synthesize content knowledge to solve problems by identifying components or processes of agricultural and/or biological systems to meet desired needs within realistic economic, environmental, social, political, ethical, health and safety, manufacturability and sustainability constraints.

SLO 3     Professional Behavior   
Display ethical behavior, cultural sensitivity, teamwork, professional conduct and effective communication

Applicants who should complete the SSAR:

• Attended a high school regionally accredited in the United States for at least three years.
• Attended a DODEA (Department of Defense Education Activity) school.

Applicants who should not complete the SSAR:

• Attended a secondary school located outside the United States for more than one semester.
• Studied a curriculum that did not follow the standard U.S. system.

Required: At least three full years of your most recent secondary school transcripts, including courses in progress (grades 9, 10 and 11 + senior schedule) in both the native language of instruction and a word for word certified English translation (if applicable). Unofficial transcripts are accepted electronically via the status Check Status page for the review process, while official transcripts and translations are required upon enrollment.

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, must demonstrate English proficiency. English proficiency examination results, such as TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test, are encouraged for non-native English speakers, but are not required for freshman admission. SAT or ACT results are required for all freshman applicants.

Start by exploring our more than 250 degree programs to determine the application requirements and if additional items, such as transcripts, portfolios or recommendation letters, are needed in your application. Application deadlines also vary by department, so be sure to apply before the deadline.

Pursuant to Florida Statute, your application requires inclusion of all post-high school education and employment, as well as information about ongoing international affiliations and research funding. Ensure this information is included on your curriculum vitae (CV) or résumé that is uploaded within your graduate application.

If the program of interest requires recommendation letters, these should be submitted electronically through the admissions application. You must request these recommendations prior to submitting your application. You cannot add or delete recommendations once your application has been submitted. If your recommendation is supplied by paper or PDF, check with your academic program to inquire if this will be accepted.

You can check the receipt of materials by the Office of Admissions on the Check Status page. This page will only reflect information concerning materials forwarded directly to the Office of Admissions and does not include materials that are required to be sent directly to your academic unit.

Approximately 24-48 hours after submitting your online application, your 8-digit UF Identification Number (UFID) will be available on the status of your application. Use the same username and password used to submit your CollegeNET application.

Your UFID is unique to you and should be used in all email communication and any subsequent applications submitted. If you do not use your UFID in communications and submissions, it is difficult for us to match your test scores, transcripts, and financial aid information to your academic record.