1. US Graduate Education Model
Ajit Srivastava
Professor and Chair
Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
Michigan State University
East Lansing, Michigan
ASABE and European Heads of Biosystems Engineering Meeting
19-21st September 2012
University College, Dublin

2. Graduate degree programs
Masters of Science (MS)
Objective: To prepare graduates for advanced career opportunities that require disciplinary expertise beyond that is available at the BS degree level.
41 programs in the United States and Canada
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Objective: To prepare graduates for advanced careers that require demonstrated research skills and comprehensive knowledge of the discipline.
36 programs in the United States and Canada

3. Admission Requirements
Master of Science (MS)
A bachelor’s degree (BS) in
an accredited engineering program; or
Science-related program with strong emphasis in mathematics including differential calculus
A grade-point average of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale
Completion of graduate record exam (GRE)
Completion of TOEFL for international students from non-English speaking countries
Three letters of recommendations

4. Admission Requirements
Doctor of Philosophy
Should have a master’s degree and must have
A BS degree in engineering or a MS degree in engineering
Demonstrated evidence of ability and resolution to complete PhD as evidenced by
Academic record
Recommendation letters
Test score
Personal statement of purpose
Other relevant information

5. MS Degree requirements
A total of 30 semester credits beyond Bachelor’s degree
Course requirement – 24 credits
At least 20 credit hours at graduate level courses
Thesis requirement – 6-8 credits
Plan A (Thesis option)
Conduct research, write and defend a thesis
Submit a paper for publication in a peer reviewed journal
Plan B (Project)
Complete a project, write a report and pass an exam

6. Linked BS-MS degree program
Open to high achieving students
Must have 3.5/4.0 grade point average to apply
Apply during the spring semester of their junior year
Can double count 9 credit hours towards both BS and MS degrees
Must maintain an overall GPA of 3.5 in the BS degree program

7. PhD Degree Requirements
Complete a minimum of 38 additional course credits past the BS degree
These course may be prescribed by the department and/or the guidance committee
Complete a minimum of 24 credit hours of research
Pass the doctoral comprehensive exam
Submit at least two papers to refereed journals before scheduling dissertation defense
Write and defend a dissertation

8. Elements of Master’s Degree
Major professor/thesis advisor
Thesis/examination committee
Plan of study
Must maintain a minimum 3.0 overall grade point average
Normal duration is two years

9. Elements of Doctoral degree
Major professor and guidance committee
Major professor serves as the chair of the guidance committee
Plan of study
Includes coursework approved by the committee
Comprehensive examination
Written – given by committee members
Oral – presentation of research proposal
Dissertation research
Manuscripts
Dissertation defense
Normal duration is 4 years

10. Financial support
Most graduate students are supported by assistantships (teaching or research) or fellowships
Funding source: Grants and base budget
Graduate stipends are about $22,000-25,000 per year plus
Tuition
Health insurance

11. Institutional Infrastructure
University
Office of the Vice-President for Research and Graduate Studies
Dean of Graduate School
College
Associate Dean of Graduate Studies
Department
Chair
Graduate Director/Graduate Committee

12. Other considerations National Needs Fellowship program
NSF Summer REU programs
Summer research internships
International exchange programs
Sandwitch programs
Joint degrees
Dual degrees
Dual majors