Bioprocessing & Bioenergy, MS - Professional Science Master's

for the degree of Master of Science in Bioprocessing & Bioenergy, Professional  Science Master's Concentration


The PSM in Bioprocessing and Bioenergy integrates science and business, preparing you for a career in the bioenergy life cycle—from feedstock supply to biofuel transportation and distribution. As both consumption and demand for renewable energy increase, our students will be prepared as scientists, managers, and engineers with leadership, entrepreneurship, technology management, and other business skills needed to take on significant career challenges and opportunities.

The curriculum requires 42 graduate hours, consisting of a core and elective program, in addition to the required PSM concentration. The areas of specialty are Plants, Soils and Feedstocks; Production, Processing and Use; Environment, Economics and Policy & Law, and Tools and Methods.

for the degree of Master of Science in Bioprocessing & Bioenergy, Professional  Science Master's Concentration


The curriculum requires 42 graduate hours, consisting of a core and elective program, in addition to the required PSM concentration. The areas of specialty are Plants, Soils and Feedstocks; Production, Processing and Use; Environment, Economics and Policy & Law, and Tools and Methods.

PSM Concentration Requirements:

Business courses prescribed by the Illinois PSM program10
PSM 501PSM Industry Seminar I0
PSM 502PSM Industry Seminar II0
PSM 503PSM Industry Seminar III0
PSM 555PSM Internship0
ABE 502Graduate Seminar: Advanced Career Skills1
ETMA 486Grain Bioprocessing Coproducts3
Courses (7 to 9) in the area of specialty from a designated list, and in consultation with the Director of Graduate Study28
Total Hours32

Professional  Science Master Concentration Requirements

Business courses prescribed by the Illinois PSM program10
PSM 501PSM Industry Seminar I0
PSM 502PSM Industry Seminar II0
PSM 503PSM Industry Seminar III0
PSM 555PSM Internship0
Total Hours10

Other Requirements

Other requirements may overlap
A PSM concentration is required.
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: 12
Minimum Hours Required Within the Unit: 8 at the 500 level
Students will not be eligible to transfer graduate credit into this major.
Minimum GPA: 2.75
Total Hours for the Bioprocessing & Bioenergy, MS-PSM 42

for the degree of Master of Science in Bioprocessing & Bioenergy, Professional  Science Master's Concentration


  1. Advanced knowledge in bioprocessing and bioenergy. There is no specific undergraduate major that focuses on either bioprocessing or bioenergy, so introducing the scientific basis for converting biomass to value-added products is the key component of the bioprocessing and bioenergy curriculum.
  2. Business: Introduce students with strong technical undergraduate degrees to business fundamental concepts such as project management, finance, and accounting.
  3. Industry experience that gives the students a realistic view of job opportunities and the hurdles faced by bioprocessing and bioenergy companies.
  4. PSM: ability to identify career interests, career path, goals to reach career aspirations, materials and knowledge for a successful internship & career search.
  5. PSM: ability to communicate science to a non-science audience; ability to work on a team.

for the degree of Master of Science in Bioprocessing & Bioenergy, Professional  Science Master's Concentration


Bioprocessing & Bioenergy

Bioprocessing & Bioenergy website
Bioprocessing & Bioenergy faculty

Admissions

Heather Crump (hcrump@illinois.edu)
General ABE Graduate Email (abe-gradstudents@illinois.edu)
Graduate College Admissions & Requirements

U.S. Mailing Address:

338 AESB
1304 W. Pennsylvania
Urbana, IL 61801

Campus Address:

338 AESB
MC-644

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences

College of Agricultural, Consumer & Environmental Sciences website