Academics

List of Math, Statistics & Instrumentation Courses

Last Modified: September 9, 2021

Our Agricultural and Biological Engineering Graduate Handbook states: “One MATH course beyond differential equations from an approved list, one course in statistical design and analysis from an approved list, and one course in instrumentation and measurement from an approved list are required for the MS degree and PhD degree in ABE. If the PhD student has already taken the above courses during their Master's program, the student can instead take two courses from any of the three areas (math, stats, or instrumentation). If a course is not in this requirement list, it must be requested by the advisor and approved by the Graduate Committee or the DGS (Director of Graduate Studies) prior to taking the course. No course shall be double counted for more than on requirement. 

Math Requirement

A list of acceptable math courses is listed in Table 1. A statistics course does not meet the math course requirement even if the statistics course is offered by the Math Department. The math course requirement cannot be taken credit/no credit and a grade of C and above is required. 

Degree Requirements

Summary of Workload Worksheet

The summary of the workload worksheet contains the requirements for the graduate degrees in ABE and ETMAS. Complete the worksheet corresponding to your degree by completing the course taken, semester taken, and hours column to monitor your coursework. Enter the total number of research hours, if applicable. 

The worksheet also contains a list of approved math, instrumentation and measurement, and statistical design and analysis courses, as well as substitutions. 

Grade Requirements (General)

  • ABE (PhD and MS): Minimum GPA = 3.0
  • ETMAS (MS and PMS): Minimum GPA = 2.75
  • Bioprocessing and Bioenergy (PSM) = 2.75
  • Digital Agriculture: M.E. = 3.0   

Evaluating Committee

  • Ph.D. Members of the evaluating committee (minimum 4):
    • Advisor – chair
    • One external member (outside the department)
    • Three of the four should be graduate faculty members
    • Two of the three graduate faculty should be tenured
  • M.S. Members of the evaluating committee (minimum 3):
    • Advisor – chair
    • Two should be graduate faculty members

A list of graduate faculty members can be found here: https://apps.grad.illinois.edu/grad_faculty/index.cfm

Examinations

  • Preliminary Exam (Ph.D.)
    • Research Proposal
    • Timing – 5th to 6th semester; must be discussed with your advisor
    • Contents – must be discussed with your advisor
    • Submit a request form https://grad.illinois.edu/gsas/gradpetition
    • The evaluating committee should be in place

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