Program Overview

MS Guidelines

The Department of Biological Systems Engineering (BSE) offers MS degrees in Biological and Agricultural Engineering (BAE).

Important Details

Credits:

• 30 Total Credits Required
  • Thesis Option: 21 graded course credits, 6 can be 300-400 level
  • Non-Thesis Option: 26 graded course credits, 9 can be 300-400 level
  • Optional graded courses can be added if desired.
  • A minimum of 4 BSysE 700 (thesis option) or 702 credits (non-thesis option), or as many as needed to complete 30 credit hours

Courses:

• All students must enroll in 12 credits per semester, including BSysE 700 or 702.
• Students must enroll in one semester of BSysE 598 Graduate Seminar.
• All other policies regarding course work, research credits, credit transfers, and other policies are as defined by the WSU Graduate School.

Departmental Requirements:

• Graduate Studies Committee – committee members selected, expected during 2nd semester
• Program of Study – submitted to Graduate School, expected during 2nd semester
• Research Proposal – approved by Committee and copy in office file, expected end of 1st year
• Coursework – completed, expected end of 3rd semester
• Final Defense – completed public presentation and oral exam.
• Exit Interview – schedule a meeting with department chair prior to leaving WSU

Area Required Courses:

• Students must consult their program committee to select the most appropriate coursework.

Graduate Studies Committee:

• The graduate student committees will have a minimum of three members; a minimum of two members will be tenured/tenure-track faculty in BSE, and other members may be tenured/tenure-track WSU faculty members in another department.
• Approved professionals not officially participating as Graduate Faculty within any graduate program at WSU can participate as committee members in addition to the minimum three committee members defined above.
• Tenured and tenure-track BSE faculty and BAE Graduate Affiliate Faculty can serve as chair or co-chair of student committees.
• BAE Graduate Adjunct Faculty and non-tenure-track BSE research faculty may serve as co-chairs.

Student Reviews:

• Your advisor will schedule a meeting with you at the beginning of each semester for the purpose of reviewing your progress towards degree completion.
• Review forms will be completed and signed by both the advisor and the student and will be retained in student files at the Pullman campus.

Forms, Signatures, and Deadlines:

• All forms needed to progress through your program are located on the Graduate School website.
• These guidelines are based on WSU’s Graduate School’s Policies and Procedures.