Technical Systems Management
Faculty coordinator: Joe Harper, jgharper@illinois.edu, (217) 333-2738
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Introduction | Description | Careers | Degree Requirements | Admission Requirements
The Technical Systems Management (TSM) master’s degree program prepares graduates for technical and leadership careers in agricultural and biological technical systems management.
The program equips graduates with the advanced knowledge, abilities, and skills to apply physical and natural sciences to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.
Graduates of the TSM program will be able to
- demonstrate a broad and deep knowledge of technical systems management,
- apply cross-disciplinary knowledge to solving technical systems problems in areas of pressing need,
- understand the larger role of technical systems management and agricultural and biological engineering to the well-being of all humankind,
- demonstrate critical reasoning and deep analytic thought about current and future challenges in the field, and
- diagnose and help solve the business-related problems of an enterprise.
Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) at Illinois has established itself as one of the leading departments of its kind in the nation. It is dedicated to integrating biology and engineering to enhance the quality of complex living systems.
Students in this program have a great deal of flexibility to construct a program of study that best fits their personal and professional objectives. Students will have access to faculty and industry-relevant research in agricultural, construction and environmental systems, equipment and food industries, and environmental protection and safety.
Combining knowledge of science, systems management, and applications engineering, the TSM program provides excellent preparation for careers in the production, processing, and manufacturing of food, fiber, feed, and fuel. Students focus on the application of engineering principles, the study of technology used in agriculture, and the integration of business concepts in the food and agricultural industries.
Students may focus on one or more of the following specialties, depending on their interests and objectives:
- construction management,
- environmental systems,
- mechanization, marketing and technology management systems,
- production systems, or
- renewable energy systems.
Supporting coursework may be taken in agricultural and consumer economics, animal sciences, civil and environmental engineering, food science and human nutrition, industrial engineering, natural resources and environmental sciences, and other areas in consultation with the program’s faculty coordinator. A series of eight integrated business courses, plus industry seminars and a required internship, make up the professional science master’s concentration of the TSM program.
The TSM program with the professional science master’s concentration is ideal preparation for those seeking positions of significant responsibility in agricultural, biological, construction, and environmental technology industries. The program is a good choice for those interested in technical sales or technical management. The applied focus of the program should prepare graduates for a wide-range of careers such as
- agricultural structures and controls specialists,
- appraiser,
- consultant,
- engineering technician,
- farm manager,
- research and development specialist,
- and many others.
Degree Requirements
The M.S. degree in Technical Systems Management requires the completion of 42 semester hours as prescribed in the following four curricular components:
The program is designed to be completed in 16-months of full-time study on the Urbana-Champaign campus. Summer enrollment is required while completing the internship. A thesis is not required.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree comparable to the University of Illinois’ undergraduate Technical Systems Management (TSM) curriculum or a related field from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or a comparable degree from a recognized institution abroad
- Grade point average of 3.0 or higher (4.0 scale) for the last 60 hours of undergraduate work and for any graduate work
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score
- For applicants whose native language is not English, a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 88 or higher for the internet-based test (iBT), 570 or higher for the paper-based test (PBT) or 230 or higher of the computer-based test.
