Graduate Handbook

Introduction

This graduate handbook was developed to inform graduate students and faculty in the Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department at Penn State of the policies and guidelines applicable to the department’s Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABENG) graduate degree program. The requirements specified in the handbook are intended to make the graduate student’s degree program beneficial to both the student and the department. Some other useful publications are listed in the table below. Students and faculty are encouraged to suggest improvements for this handbook to the Graduate Program Coordinator or the Graduate Studies Committee Chair.

Penn State’s Graduate Bulletin contains additional, important information. This handbook is intended to supplement—rather than duplicate—the graduate bulletin. The graduate bulletin may be considered the authority, except where more stringent requirements are imposed by the department. The student is expected to become familiar with the requirements as specified in both this handbook, the graduate bulletin, and Fox Graduate School Policies. The student is advised to obtain and keep versions of the bulletin and this handbook that are in effect when the student's degree program begins; requirements specified in both of these documents form a “contract” for graduate study between the University and the student. This handbook intends to describe an up-to-date requirements and procedures in compliant with the Fox Graduate School Education Policies. For discrepancies between this handbook and the Graduate School Policies, the latter supersedes.

The department is committed to providing a stimulating, conducive educational environment for all. Please inform the Department Head immediately of any barriers—experienced or perceived—that create problems or limitations in educational opportunities in the department.

Sources of Graduate Information