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

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

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.

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 coursework	Include 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

When	What
Before first semester registration	Meet with major professor to plan course of study for first semester
Before third semester registration	Establish 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 work	Schedule 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 research	Develop draft of research proposal in conjunction with major professor and graduate committee members
During final semester	Apply for graduation at registrar.tamu.edu/graduation
	Pay diploma fee
	Schedule final oral examination
	Submit dissertation online