MS Agricultural Engineering

The MS in Agricultural Engineering is oriented toward executing engineering solutions for feed, fiber and food production problems and/or postharvest processing problems. Problems addressed by this degree are generally at or beyond the field scale; however, solution approaches frequently begin at the bench scale level.

Program Description

The MS in Agricultural Engineering degree provides an opportunity for learning advanced data analyses skills and original research presentation skills. Problem definition skills are also stressed. The MS in Agricultural Engineering will preserve and continue the enduring legacy of Agricultural Engineering research at the University of Georgia. Faculty are engaged in research advancing primarily the areas of Sustainable Food Systems and Natural Resource Engineering.

Admission

M.S. requirements

Program of Study

In addition to the requirements for the M.S. in Agricultural Engineering requires a minimum of 33 semester hours in the Program of Study, which consists of:

► A minimum of 24 semester hours of coursework, which must include

• 23 hours of graduate-level coursework, including
  • 15 hours of which must be selected from the Sustainable Food Systems and/or Natural Resource Management course lists.
  • 12 hours of which must be from UGA courses open only to graduate students and exclusive of thesis (7300) and research (7000, 7010).
• 1 hour of ENGR 8950 Graduate Seminar *

* Only 1 hour of Graduate Seminar may apply on the Program of Study. Students are strongly encouraged to continue regular attendance of speaker series presentations even if not formally registered in the seminar.

► And either a Thesis Option or a Non-Thesis Option:

The thesis option is provided for students wishing to receive professional training via coursework integrated with research training through the successful completion of a thesis. In the MS Thesis Option, all coursework is selected consistent with specific degree and emphasis area requirements in coordination with the Student’s Faculty Advisor and approved by the student’s Advisory Committee on the Program of Study.  To receive the M.S. degree, each student is required to present a satisfactory research proposal approved by the student’s advisory committee and the graduate coordinator and pass a final examination and defense of the research thesis.

The non-thesis option is provided for students either currently employed in professional practice or wishing to emphasize only professional training through their MS.  For the MS Non-Thesis Option, all coursework is selected consistent with specific degree and emphasis area requirements and approved by the program’s Graduate Director and Advisory Committee on the Program of Study. The Graduate Director serves as the student’s faculty advisor. The student identifies an appropriate faculty member to serve as supervisor for their Master’s Project who then works in coordination with the Graduate Director to advise the student through degree completion. The supervising faculty for the Master’s Project, the Graduate Director, and Graduate Coordinator comprise the student’s Advisory Committee. To receive the M.S. degree under the Non-Thesis Option, each student is required to complete a Master’s Project under the supervision of a faculty member and submit a Masters Project Report for approval by the student’s Advisory Committee.

Students elect their MS option at the start of their programs.  In the event a student wishes to change their degree option during their program, the student must request a change in degree objective. Students successfully petitioning to change their previously elected MS option must 1) complete at least two full-time semesters in their new option before they are eligible for graduation, 2) adequately complete any prior work to which they committed or for which they were supported under assistantship in their prior option, and 3) after option change start and complete either the MS project requirement (ENGR 7010) or MS thesis research requirement (ENGR 7000/7010, 7300). Only students in the thesis option are eligible for College assistantship support.

Completion of the M.S. requirements for all programs in the College of Engineering fulfill all requirements of the University of Georgia Graduate School. No grade below C will be accepted in the program of study. To be eligible for graduation, a student must maintain a 3.0 (B) average on the graduate transcript and a 3.0 (B) average in the program of study.

General guidelines for selecting courses for the program of study consistent with the College of Engineering requirements for the M.S. are for the student to have approximately 1/3 quantitative courses (e.g., math, finite element, and statistics), 1/3 supporting sciences courses available in many departments across campus, and 1/3 engineering courses. Typical choices for engineering and supporting science courses in each area are shown below. Students work with their graduate advisor and their committee to provide guidance in formulating the final plan of study so that it complements the chosen research area.

Sustainable Food Systems

• ENGR 8103 Computational Engineering
• ENGR 6140 Systems modeling
• FDST 6011 Food Processing I
• FDST 6012 Food Processing II
• FDST 6013 Food Processing III
• ENGR 6490 Renewable Energy Engineering
• ENGR 8103 Computational Engineering
• ENVE 6230 Energy in Nature, Civilization and Engineering
• ENVE 6530 Energy and Environmental Policy Analysis
• ENVE 6250 Energy Systems and the Environment
• ENGR 6350 Finite Element Analysis
• ENGR 6210 Linear Systems
• ENGR 6220 Feedback Control Systems
• ENGR 6230 Sensors and Transducers

Natural Resource Management

• ENVE 6230 Energy in Nature, Civilization, and Engineering
• ENGR 8103 Computational Engineering
• ENVE 6410 Open Channel Hydraulics
• ENVE 6430 Advanced Open Channel Design
• ENVE 6440 Computer Modeling in Water Resources
• ENVE 6450 Engineering Hydrology and Hydraulics
• ENVE 6460 Groundwater Hydrology for Engineers
• ENVE 6430 Natural Resources Engineering