Within the Graduate Field of Biological and Environmental Engineering there are four degree options. All programs require full-time enrollment for timely completion of the degree.
- The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
- The Master of Science (MS)
- The Master of Engineering (Agricultural and Biological) (MEng)
- The Master of Professional Studies (Agriculture) (MPS)
From 1913 to the present, 304 M.S. degrees and 178 Ph.D. degrees have been awarded in Agricultural and Biological Engineering at Cornell. Since 1966, 99 Master of Engineering (Agricultural and Biological) degrees have been awarded. The first Master of Professional Studies (Agriculture) degree in Agricultural and Biological Engineering was awarded in 1973, and 34 degrees have been awarded since that program began.
Doctor of Philosophy
The Doctor of Philosophy program is research oriented and requires a thesis to be written and defended. The doctoral program generally emphasizes courses for three semesters, after which the focus switches to a dissertation, with an emphasis on original research. The dissertation topic is chosen early in the program so courses can be selected that provide the tools required to complete a meaningful thesis research effort. Especially at the Ph.D. level, it is critical the student take the lead in choosing and defining the dissertation topic, selecting the method of approaching the problem, and interpreting the results. This total involvement in, and responsibility for, the dissertation effort is a central feature of doctoral study at Cornell.
Master of Science
The Master of Science program is research oriented and requires a thesis to be written and defended. A typical Master of Science program contains one year of full-time course work, with a second year devoted to research and a thesis, plus additional courses not available during the first year. Either employment or further graduate study follows an M.S. program.
Master of Engineering
The Master of Engineering program offers advanced engineering training through a combination of field-specific coursework, technical electives and a design project supervised by a member of the Biological and Environmental Engineering Faculty. The Master of Engineering (MEng) program is practice-oriented, rather than research-oriented like the Master of Science program. Although either program can serve as to transition into a Ph.D. program, the MEng is especially recommended to students interested in design-oriented or professional employment rather than a research career.
The flexible MEng curriculum in BEE requires 30 hours of coursework including 9 hours in the field of Biological and Environmental Engineering. Students must complete and present a design project of 3 to 9 credits. Up to 6 project credits may be used to meet the field requirements. The remaining credits are chosen in consultation with the student's faculty advisor. With careful planning, the program can be completed in one academic year (9 months).
Design projects are available in many of the Field's specialization areas. Recent projects have included computer simulations of watersheds, compost facility optimization, design of bioreactors and biosensors, and design and analysis of environmental management systems. Students in the BEE MEng program may also complete an Option (similar to a minor) by enrolling in the option and completing appropriate elective coursework. Options currently available to BEE MEng students are Bioengineering, Engineering Management and Systems Engineering. Information on the Master of Engineering program and Dean's Certificate may be obtained from the BEE department.
Master of Professional Studies (MPS) Requirements
The Master of Professional Studies degree is designed to provide graduate level instruction for those students who originally followed a technology specialization as undergraduates, for those who wish to emphasize agricultural applications of engineering technology in their graduate experience, and for those wishing advanced work in technology in preparation to teach agricultural engineering at technical colleges. The program requires 30 credits of coursework, of which six are devoted to project activity. Specializations are available in Biological and Environmental Engineering and Environmental Management.
Cornell University and BEE offer a Peace Corps Option in the MPS degree program that combines interdisciplinary coursework with Peace Corps field experience. Students complete approximately two semesters of intensive on-campus study followed by a two-year related overseas assignment with the Peace Corps.