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Texas A&M Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering
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Student programming an autmoated machine to cut lumber.

Ph.D. Biological and Agricultural Engineering

The Doctor of Philosophy degree is designed to provide you with a thorough knowledge of your professional field and training in the methods of research. The final basis for granting the degree is your grasp of a broad field of study and a demonstrated capability to do independent research.

In addition, you must have acquired the ability to express thoughts clearly and forcefully in both oral and written communication. You’ll be encouraged to develop teaching skills through formal study of pedagogical methods and supervised classroom teaching experience. A preliminary qualifying examination, covering all fields of study included in your degree program, is required. You’ll prepare a dissertation, an original, scholarly report of independent research.

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Program Details

The Doctorate of Philosophy degree requires students to complete advanced course work and to become skilled in research methodology. Students are expected to plan, conduct and analyze a comprehensive research project, and to report the findings in a dissertation, a scholarly document of research conducted in accordance with accepted scientific methodology. The final basis for granting the degree shall be the candidate’s grasp of the subject matter from a broad field of study and a demonstrated ability to do independent research. In addition, the candidate must have acquired the ability to express thoughts clearly and forcefully in both oral and written languages.

  • Degree: Ph.D. Biological and Agricultural Engineering
  • Credit Hours: 64 hours with MS completed – 96 hours with no MS completed
Program Requirements

What Do I Need to Apply?

  • Apply through the EngineeringCAS system
  • Upload unofficial transcript with application
  • Resume or Curriculum Vitae
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation, submitted online with your application
  • Official transcripts and records, sent to the Office of Admissions
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International Students

Official TOEFL scores are required for international applicants. Official scores must be sent by ETS directly to Texas A&M University using the school code: 6003. Visit the Graduate & Professional School website for a list of requirements, exemptions and other useful information regarding the TOEFL/IELTS Exams.

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Requirements

  • Doctoral degrees require a minimum of 4 committee members: 2 must be affiliated with BAEN (including chairs), and at least 1 must be from outside BAEN.
  • Maintain an average GPR of 3.0 for all courses on your degree plan before you take the final exam.
  • Complete all degree requirements within ten years.
64 hr PhD (with MS completed)96 hr PhD (with no MS completed)
Include a minimum of 40 credit hours of research and 24 hours of courseworkInclude a minimum of 60 credit hours of research and 36 hours of coursework
  
Successful completion of preliminary exam; written and oral
Defense of the Dissertation
Dissertation Approved by the student’s Advisory Committee
https://catalog.tamu.edu/graduate/colleges-schools-interdisciplinary/agriculture-life-sciences/biological-agricultural-engineering/phd/#text

Doctoral Students Requirements Timeline

WhenWhat
Before first semester registration Meet with major professor to plan course of study for first semester
Before third semester registrationEstablish Advisory Committee
Early in fourth semester Submit Degree Plan on-line at ogsdpss.tamu.edu The department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering requires a 90 day wait period between having a degree plan on file and completing the preliminary examination. 
No later than one semester after all course work is completed, and no earlier than date at which student is within 6 credit hours of completing formal course workSchedule and take preliminary examinations (written and oral). A dissertation proposal should be submitted along with the preliminary examination. The department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering requires a 14 week waiting period between completion of the preliminary examination and taking the final examination.
Prior to initiating dissertation researchDevelop draft of research proposal in conjunction with major professor and graduate committee members
During final semesterApply for graduation at registrar.tamu.edu/graduation
 Pay diploma fee
 Schedule final oral examination
 Submit dissertation online
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