Biorenewable Resources and Technology

Graduate Courses

www.biorenew.iastate.edu
(Interdepartmental Graduate Program)
Program Coordinating Committee: R. Anex, Chair;
R.C. Brown, L. Johnson, G. Kraus, B. Nikolau, B. Shanks, D. Stokke

Graduate Study

The graduate program in Biorenewable Resources and Technology(BRT) offers students advanced study in the use of plant and crop-based resources in the production of biobased products (fuels, chemicals, materials, and energy). This multi-disciplinary program offers work for the degrees of master of science and doctor of philosophy in Biorenewable Resources and Technology, and a minor to students taking major work in other departments. The curriculum is designed to encourage students to obtain co-major degrees in Biorenewable Resources and Technology and a more traditional science or engineering discipline. A thesis is required for the master of science degree. Prerequisite to major graduate work is a bachelor's degree or prior graduate training in engineering or a physical or biological discipline, including agriculture sciences. The core required courses in the Biorenewable Resources and Technology graduate program include: a foundation course, BRT 501 "Fundamentals of Biorenewable Resources;" two credits of approved laboratory; and BRT 506 "Biobased Products Seminar." The elective core courses must come from an approved list of courses from a variety of traditional disciplines that encompass one or more of four areas considered as barriers in the development of biobased products: plant science, production, processing, and utilization. Students must include courses from at least three of the four barrier topical areas, selected in consultation with the student's Program of Study (POS) committee. Information on application procedures and specific requirements of the major can be obtained from the following Internet address: www.biorenew.iastate.edu

Courses primarily for graduate students, open to qualified undergraduate students

BRT 501. Fundamentals of Biorenewable Resources. (3-0) Cr. 3. S. Prereq: Undergraduate training in an engineering or physical or biological discipline or degrees in agriculture or economics. Introduction to the science and engineering of converting biorenewable resources into bioenergy and biobased products. Survey of biorenewable resource base and properties; description of biobased products; methods of biorenewable resource production; processing technologies for fuels, chemicals, materials, and energy; environmental impacts; economics of biobased products and bioenergy.

BRT 506. Biobased Products Seminar. (1-0) Cr. R or 1. F.S. Prereq: Undergraduate training in an engineering or physical or biological discipline or degrees in agriculture or economics. Taken one semester for 1 credit and remaining semesters as R credit. Seminars and discussion on current topics in biorenewable resources and technology. Offered on a satisfactory-fail grading basis only.
A. Cr. 1. Paper required.
B. Cr. R. Attendance only.