Bioproducts and Biosystems Science, Engineering and Management Ph.D.

The PhD offered by the Bioproducts and Biosystems Science Engineering and Management (BBSEM) graduate program provides a strong foundation in the basic sciences, engineering, and management in support of the renewable bio-resources utilization, environmental quality, and national security while improving our global competitiveness. The areas of specialization include bioproducts science and engineering, biosystems science and engineering, and bioproducts marketing and management.

Bioproducts science and engineering specialization focuses on the fundamental science and engineering of the various manufacturing processes used in the sustainable conversion of biomass into bio-based industrial and consumer products and their effective end-use applications. Bioproducts include "green" materials, chemicals, and energy derived from bio-resources, including biofuels, bioenergy, biocomposites, bio-based plastics, adhesives, pulp and paper, building materials, and more.

Biosystems science and engineering specialization is designed for students who seek to develop a strong foundation in physical sciences and engineering principles, which are applied to important problems involving biological systems. Potential areas of interest include water and soil management and protection; livestock environment; food engineering and value-added processing; machinery systems design; grain quality; safety, health, and risk management; renewable energy systems; and waste management.

Bioproducts marketing and management specialization is designed for graduate students who seek to build on a strong, diverse background encompassing liberal arts, basic sciences, communications and product development, and marketing and management of bioproducts.