Graduate Degrees

Graduate Degrees

Welcome to the Degree Requirements hub for GBSE graduate students. Below you’ll find a summary of each graduate degree offered, including an overview and detailed requirements. Select your program below to view coursework expectations, milestones, and degree completion steps.

Doctoral Degrees

Ph.D in Biological Systems Engineering

The Ph.D program in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering emphasizes the science or research features of engineering. Completion of this program is intended to provide students with the ability to assist in the furtherance of the fundamental knowledge of engineering biological systems. Those students entering the program with a bachelor's of science should expect it to take 5 years. For students with a master's degree, the typical program length is 4 years. In addition to the course work, the program culminates in a written and oral examination as well as a dissertation.

• Course Requirements

• The PhD requires a minimum of 49 units of graduate and upper division courses consisting of:

  • Core Courses (4 units)
    • EBS 200: Research methods in biological systems engineering 2 units
    • EBS 290 Seminar 2 units
  • Elective Courses (45 units)
  • (Note 8 of these 45 units have to meet Advanced Math and Advanced Experimental Design and Analysis requirements.)
    • Major (30 units): ECH 259/EBS 270 or equivalent (Advanced engineering mathematics), EBS 265 (Design and analysis of engineering experiments), and other graduate and upper division courses in the major field.
    • Minor (15 units): A minimum of 15 units of graduate and undergraduate courses in a particular filed to enhance student’s breadth of knowledge. To achieve this breadth student typically takes 3 graduate and 2 upper division courses in a coherent subject (i.e., 5 courses randomly selected from different areas will not constitute a minor).
    • Note: The Course Guidance Committee, in concurrence with the student, may suggest ECH 140 (Mathematical methods in biochemical and chemical engineering), EAD 205A (mathematical methods), MAT 118A (Partial differential equations: Elementary methods), or MAT 118B (Partial differential equations: Eigenfunction expansions) as a substitution for ECH 259/EBS 270. Similarly, PLP 222 (Experimental approaches in plant pathology) may be suggested as a substitution to EBS 265. However, EBS 265 and 270 are the preferred courses and any recommended changes will have to be approved by the Executive Committee. Note also that any such changes may lead to a change in the total number of core units. However, such changes need to be compensated in major courses, which must total a minimum of 30 units including Advancement engineering mathematics and Design and analysis of engineering experiments or with their respective substitutions.

  
  Summary

  In selecting the courses, students should be very careful to make sure that in the major and minor fields, which amount to a total of 45 units, there are at least 30 graduate units of which at least 15 are engineering graduate units. Moreover, at least 23 units must be in engineering. Note that students holding a MS degree may be able to transfer up to 21 units from elsewhere. To be able to transfer these units students must provide an extended outline of the course (s) taken at other institutions. In any case, at least 24 units and core courses (EBS 200 and EBS 290) must be taken here at UC Davis to satisfy major and minor requirements.

• Qualifying Exam (QE)
• All UC Davis doctoral students must pass the QE, which assesses readiness for candidacy, independent research, and the dissertation. The exam evaluates academic preparation, mastery of the literature, understanding of research methods, and the originality and clarity of the research proposal. Students have up to two attempts to pass.
  
  Learn more about the QE.
• Dissertation

• The doctoral dissertation is the culminating paper that synthesizes a student's years of learning, experience, research, and writing on a specialized topic within their field.  It is the final requirement for all doctoral students and, once approved and filed, signifies completion of the degree.  For almost all students, completing the dissertation will be an entirely new experience from anything they have undertaken before.  As the project develops, many student's research topic and questions change (sometimes drastically). 

  Learn more about dissertation requirement.

• Exit Seminar
• The exit seminar is a public presentation of your thesis or dissertation research, typically scheduled near the end of your degree. It’s your opportunity to showcase your work, share findings with the academic community, and celebrate the culmination of your program.
  
  Learn more about the Exit Seminar
• Key Milestones
• - Select Course Guidance Committee → End of 1st quarter
  - File Program of Study (POS) → End of 3rd quarter
  - Complete coursework (49 units minimum)
  - Take Qualifying Exam → By end of 3rd year
  - Advance to Candidacy → Within 1 month of QE
  - Exit Seminar & Dissertation Filing → Year 4–5
  
  Learn more about our GBSE PhD & MS Milestones
• Designated Emphases

• Students may also opt for a Designated Ph.D Emphasis in Biotechnology or Native American Studies.

  During the doctoral program, students have the opportunity to also apply for a designated emphasis. A designated emphasis (DE) is an interdisciplinary specialization, such as a new method of inquiry or an important field of application, which is relevant to two or more existing doctoral degree programs. The Graduate Program in Biological Systems Engineering offers two designated emphases.

  • Biotechnology

    The designated emphasis in Biotechnology provides a very effective multidisciplinary biotechnology concentration, which includes exposure to bioethics, business and legal aspects of biotechnology as well as a 3-6 month internship in a biotechnology company or research laboratory in another college or national laboratory. Dr. Kjelstrom, the Program Coordinator assists the students in locating internships, preparation of a strong cover letter and curriculum vitae, and the development of professional skills related to the business environment.
    
    Program Chair: Email Abhaya Dandekar
    
    Visit the Graduate Studies website for more information about a Designated Emphasis in Biotechnology.

     

  • Native American Studies

    The designated emphasis in Native American Studies focuses hemispherically upon the indigenous peoples of the Americans, that is, upon the peoples, nations, tribes, and communities whose ancestors have lived in North, Central and South America from earliest times. This unique hemispheric approach includes attention to the increasing dislocation and diaspora of indigenous people throughout the Americas, and calls upon the authority of Native intelligence (Native voices, Native texts) in all its forms and manifestations to address the issues that concern Native peoples, including the creative strategies for continuance they have developed over the centuries.

    Program Chair: Email Justin Spence
    
    Visit the Graduate Studies website for more information about a Designated Emphasis in Native American Studies.

Master Degrees

There are three options for master's degrees in Biological Systems Engineering within the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering.

M.S. Plan I - Thesis Option

The M.S. Plan I is designed for people who wish to further their fundamental knowledge of engineering. This plan emphasizes the science and research features of engineering. The work students complete in this plan will culminate in a research based thesis that is reviewed by a thesis committee.

• Course Requirements
• MS Plan I requires a minimum of 30 units of graduate and upper division courses consisting of:
   
  • Core courses (3 units)
    • EBS 200 Research methods in biological systems engineering - 2 units
    • EBS290 Seminar course - 1 unit
  • Elective Course (27 units)
    • 17 units of Graduate and Upper Division Units, excluding EBS 200, 290, 290C, and 299.
      • 12 of which must be graduate engineering units
      • Remaining 5 units can be graduate or upper division courses within or outside of engineering, excluding courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
    • Remaining units can come from EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research, graduate courses or upper division courses within or outside of engineering.
      • A minimum of 6 units of EBS 290C, 299 Research
      • For those students who did not take any life sciences classes during their undergraduate degree program, at least one course in Biological/Life Sciences should be included.
      • Excludes courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165
  • Written thesis based on research and public presentation (exit seminar). Thesis should be signed by three thesis committee members.
• Thesis
• A master's thesis is an original scholarly work, about a specific subject in the field, written under the guidance of the major professor. The thesis synthesizes the student's learning, research, and development in the graduate program. An eligible thesis committee reads and evaluates the thesis, and if approved, the student submits the thesis electronically to Graduate Studies.
  
  Learn more about thesis requirements
• Exit Seminar
• The exit seminar is a public presentation of your thesis or dissertation research, typically scheduled near the end of your degree. It’s your opportunity to showcase your work, share findings with the academic community, and celebrate the culmination of your program.
  
  Learn more about the Exit Seminar
• Key Milestones
• - Select Course Guidance Committee → End of 1st quarter
  - File Program of Study (POS) → End of 2nd quarter
  - Complete coursework (30 units minimum)
  - Advance to Candidacy → End of 4th quarter
  - Exit Seminar & Thesis Filing → End of Summer Year 2
  
  Learn more about our GBSE PhD & MS Milestones

M.S. Plan II - Comprehensive Exam Option

The M.S. Plan II is designed for those who want to strengthen their preparation either for the job marked for for further professional education. This option is well suited to highly qualified students who plan to pursue further graduate education and reduce overall time to graduate degree. However, without the research based thesis, funding your master's degree as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) is rare. Plan II students are still eligible for a limited number of TA positions within and outside the department. Additionally, this plan will culminate in an Oral Comprehensive Examination given before three faculty members.

• Course Requirements
• MS Plan II requires a minimum of 36 units of graduate and upper division courses consisting of
   
  • Core courses (3 units)
    • EBS 200 Research methods in biological systems engineering - 2 units
    • EBS290 Seminar course - 1 unit
  • Elective Course (33 units):
    • 24 units of Graduate and Upper Division Units, excluding EBS 200, 290, 290C, and 299.
      • 18 of which must be graduate units
        • 12 of which must be graduate engineering units
        • Remaining 6 units can be graduate units within or outside of engineering
      • Remaining 6 units can be graduate or upper division courses within or outside of engineering, excluding courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
    • Remaining 9 units can come from EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research, graduate courses or upper division courses within or outside of engineering.
      • For those students who did not take any life sciences classes during their undergraduate degree program, at least one course from life sciences should be included.
      • No more than 9 units of EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research can be used
    • Excludes courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
  • Oral Comprehensive Examination before a committee of three faculty members
• Comprehensive Exam
• More information coming soon!
• Key Milestones
• - Select Course Guidance Committee → End of 1st quarter
  - File Program of Study (POS) → End of 1st quarter
  - Complete coursework (36 units minimum)
  - Advance to Candidacy → End of 3rd quarter
  - Comprehensive Exam → End of summer First Year
  
  Learn more about our GBSE PhD & MS Milestones

Master of Engineering

The M. Eng emphasizes design, analysis, economics, management, and labor. It prepares students with training useful for professional engineers. Work will culminate in a written report based on a project as well as an oral comprehensive exam before a committee of three faculty members.

• Course Requirements
• M. Eng. plan requires a minimum of 36 units of graduate and upper division courses consisting of:
   
  • Core courses (3 units)
    • EBS 200 Research methods in biological systems engineering - 2 units
    • EBS290 Seminar course - 1 unit
  • Elective Course (33 units):
    • 24 units of Graduate and Upper Division Units, excluding EBS 200, 290, 290C, and 299.
      • 18 of which must be graduate units
        • 12 of which must be graduate engineering units
        • Remaining 6 units can be graduate units within or outside of engineering
      • Remaining 6 units can be graduate or upper division courses within or outside of engineering, excluding courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
    • Remaining 9 units can come from EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research, graduate courses, or upper division courses within or outside of engineering.
      • For those students who did not take any life sciences classes during their undergraduate degree program, at least one course from life sciences should be included.
      • No more than 9 units of EBS 290C, EBS 299 Research can be used
      • Excludes courses required for the UC Davis Biological Systems Engineering B.S. degree. This restriction does not apply to EBS 165.
  • Written engineering report based on a project and oral comprehensive examination before a committee of three faculty members.
• Engineering Report
• More information coming soon!
• Exit Seminar
• The exit seminar is a public presentation of your thesis or dissertation research, typically scheduled near the end of your degree. It’s your opportunity to showcase your work, share findings with the academic community, and celebrate the culmination of your program.
  
  Learn more about the Exit Seminar
• Key Milestones
• - Select Course Guidance Committee → End of 1st quarter
  - File Program of Study (POS) → End of 2nd quarter
  - Complete coursework (36 units minimum)
  - Advance to Candidacy → End of 4th quarter
  - Engineering Report & Exit Seminar → End of summer Second Year
  
  Learn more about our GBSE PhD & MS Milestones

Integrated Degree (BS+MS)

The integrated BS and MS degree program for Biological Systems Engineers allows students to save time transitioning seamlessly to the master's degree program upon completion of their bachelor's degree. After the completion of a bachelor's degree the time to completion of a master's degree, under Plan I (Thesis) is 18 months and under Plan II (Comprehensive Examination) is 12 months. This compares to the regular master's degree program expected timeline of 24 months for Plan I and 18 months for Plan II. The program is competitive and rigorous standards are set to ensure students' eventual success.

Learn more about our Integrated BS+MS Program

📊 At-a-Glance Comparison

Resources

• GBSE Degree Requirements (Approved 23 May 2022)
• GBSE Program Bylaws
• GBSE Courses & Registration
• General Catalog Biological Systems Engineering Graduate Program
• Graduate Studies Policies
• GBSE PhD & MS Milestones