Illinois PSM

Priority Application Date: March 15

2012-02-02T16:54:00.002-06:00

Illinois PSM programs' priority application date is Thursday March 15, 2012.

Applications submitted by March 15 will be in the early round of admission reviews and decisions.

This is not a deadline. You may submit your application until a specific program sets its deadline. Most programs accept applications through mid-summer, space permitting.

To apply, visit the application page on the Illinois PSM website.

Illinois PSM programs are offered in

Agricultural Production
Bioenergy
Food Science and Human Nutrition
Plant Biology, and
Technical Systems Management.

Visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu, email us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu, or call (217) 265-5363.

Explore the Illinois PSM on February 14

2012-01-31T12:09:00.000-06:00

Join us for an interactive master's degree workshop on Tuesday, February 14, 2012.

Professional science master's options will be explored, including the Illinois PSM. Meet with current PSM students to learn more about the program and its possible fit with your professional goals.

The workshop is at 4:00 p.m. in room G30 of the Foreign Languages Building [map].

Sign-up isn't required but is appreciate. Contact Joan Huber at jlhuber1@illinois.edu or sign-up on Facebook events.

If you can't make it in February, a second workshop is planned for April 4, 2012.

Student Leadership Council Elected

2012-01-13T12:56:00.000-06:00

The Illinois PSM Student Leadership Council is a communication channel directly between PSM students and the Graduate College.

Council members are elected representatives, selected by student vote. The goal of the Student Leadership Council is continuous improvement of the program for all stakeholders.

The Class of 2012 elected the following to serve as their representatives:

Eva Sztechmiler, Agricultural Production
Leo Zhang, Bioenergy
Kathryn Torrey, Food Science and Human Nutrition
Grant Hansen, Plant Biology
Chris Godwin, Techincal Systems Management

For additional information, contact Bill Buttlar, associate dean of the Graduate College, at (217) 333-6715 or buttlar@illinois.edu.

Happy New Year 2012

2012-01-01T21:32:00.000-06:00

From everyone who works with the Illinois PSM, best wishes for a happy and a prosperous 2012.

Congratulations December 2011 Illinois PSM Graduates

2011-12-19T17:02:00.002-06:00

Congratulations to the newest Illinois PSM graduating class:

Major in Agricultural Production

Thadd Fosdick
Amber Hendricks
Kyle Knauth
Heather S. Lopez

Major in Bioenergy

Aris R. Dumbrys
Keara Anne Fanning
Beth A. Papanek
David Andrew Reif
Kunal Kiran Shrungarkar
Dane Thomas Vaclavik

Major in Food Science and Human Nutrition

Laura Ann Haugen
Julie Ip
Matt Nan Tie

Students were recognized at the College of ACES December Graduate Reception and ceremony on Friday, December 16, 2011.

Spring 2012 PSM Workshops

2011-12-18T19:51:00.003-06:00

The Illinois PSM is hosting two workshops in spring 2012. These are opportunities for prospective students to learn about Professional Science Master's, career opportunities, and the five Illinois PSM programs.

Current Illinois PSM students will lead portions of the workshop and will be available to answer questions.

The workshops are offered twice:

February 14, 2012 - room G30
April 4, 2012 - room G46

Both workshops are in the Foreign Languages Building at 4:00 p.m.

Registration is requested but not required. Contact Joan Huber, Plant Biology PSM, at JLHuber1@illinois.edu or (217) 333-5498.

The Illinois PSM offers M.S. degree programs in

Agricultural Production,
Bioenergy,
Food Science and Human Nutrition,
Plant Biology, and
Technical Systems Management.

For more information, visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu.

Illinois PSM Graduates Finding Jobs

2011-12-13T11:16:00.001-06:00

The 3-year-old Illinois Professional Science Master’s program got its start during a recession, but most of its 2010 graduates are already pursuing careers in the fields they chose. It took most a few months to find work, although some – and at least two of the 2011 graduating class – were offered jobs while still in school.

How is the PSM different? The Illinois PSM combines a traditional (but thesis-free) science master’s degree with a suite of business courses, and is geared to students “who know they want to work somewhere at that intersection of science and business,” said PSM director Kevin Sightler. In addition to their laboratory and class work, the students do internships in their field of choice, attend industry seminars and get a lot of guidance in professional development and strategic career planning, he said.

Where are graduates working? Read the complete story from the U of I News Bureau.

Illinois PSM Industry Seminar Special

2011-11-15T22:42:00.001-06:00

Location Changed to 3063 BIF

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Spring Registration

2011-11-11T17:12:00.001-06:00

It's time to register for spring semester courses. Illinois PSM students begin registering the first week of November, and registration continues through the start of the spring semester on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.

Students should meet with their program faculty advisers for counsel on science-based courses.

For the business curriculum, there are three courses in the spring:

Finance (FIN 500),
Project Management (BADM 589), and
Industry Seminar II (PSM 502).

For the most up-to-date information, refer to the "Current Student" page on the Illinois PSM website.

For course schedule, registration login, and academic dates and deadlines, visit the U of I Registrar website.

For more information, contact Kevin Sightler at sightler@illinois.edu or (217) 265-5363.

2011 ACES December Graduate Reception

2011-10-27T09:16:00.001-05:00

The ACES December Graduate Reception will be held Friday, December 16, 2011, at the Illini Union in the second floor Ballroom. [map]

Graduates, faculty, staff and guests are welcome. The event is open to everyone; no tickets will be distributed. All attendees are encouraged to RSVP.

The Illinois PSM will have a special area for friends, family, and graduates to mingle and celebrate. Refreshments will be served at 5:00 p.m.

Graduates should arrive no later than 5:50 p.m. for the ceremony. Welcoming remarks by Dean Hauser and Dean Kramer will begin at 6:00 p.m. followed by recognition of the graduates. Graduates will be recognized individually by having their names read as they cross a stage to receive a certificate.

A dressy affair, full academic regalia is optional. If regalia is desired, orders may be placed at Herff Jones website.

This is a special time to celebrate successes and next steps.

To register and indicate number of guests, RSVP to
http://go.illinois.edu/Dec_2011_Grad_Reception

Additional information is available on the College of ACES website:
http://graduation.aces.illinois.edu

Photo: December 2010 reception

Biomass Conversion Symposium

2011-10-20T11:51:00.001-05:00

Join industry and academic leaders at the first annual Biomass Conversion Symposium on October 31 and November 1 at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign.

Biomass depolymerization,
sugar utilization, and
next-generation biofuels synthesis

are among biomass-to-biofuels conversion challenges to be addressed.

Keynote speakers are

Doug Cameron, founder, Alberti Advisors;
Barbara Hahn-Hagerdahl, Lund University, Sweeden; and
Tom Jefferies, University of Wisconsin at Madison,

plus 18 additional invited speakers.

The symposium is sponsored by the Energy Biosciences Institute and Illinois Center for Industrial Biology in the U of I School of Chemical Science.

The complete program and required registration (free) are available on the Web. For more information, visit http://conferences.igb.illinois.edu/biomassconversion/.

Multicultural Career Fair

2011-10-17T09:46:00.001-05:00

Representative of the Illinois Professional Science Master's will be available to talk with you at the Multicultural Career Fair. Stop by our table to learn more about the Illinois PSM programs, its students, and its graduates.

The fair is:

        Monday, October 17, 2011
        Illinois Union A, B, and C
        11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

For more information, including a completely list of participating schools, visit the Office of Minority Student Affairs webpagehttp://www.omsa.illinois.edu/.

The Illinois Professional Science Master's offers M.S. degree programs in

Agricultural Production,
Bioenergy,
Food Science and Human Nutrition,
Plant Biology, and
Technical Systems Management.

Visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu or call (217) 265-5363.

Graduate School Fair

2011-10-02T19:37:00.000-05:00

Representative of the Illinois Professional Science Master's will be available to talk with you at the Graduate and Professional School Fair. Stop by our table to learn more about the Illinois PSM programs, its students, and its graduates.

The fair is:

        Wednesday, October 5, 2011
        Illinois Union A+B+C+South Lounge
        3:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.

For more information, including a completely list of participating schools, visit The Career Center's webpage.

The Illinois Professional Science Master's offers M.S. degree programs in

Agricultural Production,
Bioenergy,
Food Science and Human Nutrition,
Plant Biology, and
Technical Systems Management.

Visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu or call (217) 265-5363.

Internship Showcase Poster Session

2011-09-27T20:28:00.000-05:00

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Graduate School Options

2011-09-08T09:53:00.019-05:00

Considering Graduate School?

Could a Professional Science Master's
fit your career objectives?

Join us for a Workshop to explore the Professional Science Master's -- a new type of master's degree program that combines science and business.

Topics will include:

What is the Professional Science Master's (PSM)?
Career options for PSM graduates
Researching the 238 PSM programs nationwide
Discussions and Q+A with current Illinois PSM graduate students

Workshops are offered two times this fall --

Monday, September 26, 2011
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
165 Noyes Lab

Thursday, November 3, 2011
4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
242 Bevier Hall

For further information, contact Joan Huber, Plant Biology program coordinator at jlhuber1@illinois.edu or (217) 333-5498, or visit the Illinois PSM on the web.

Other resources:
ScienceMasters.com
National Professional Science Master's Association

(click to enlarge)

The Illinois PSM offers M.S. degree programs in Agricultural Production, Bioenergy, Food Science and Human Nutrition, Plant Biology, and Technical Systems Management. Programs are non-thesis, completed in 16-months, and are designed to prepare graduates for careers combining science and business.

Academic and Professional Opportunities

2011-08-29T12:48:00.003-05:00

Over 1100 student organizations at Illinois offer students opportunities to share, learn, and socialize.

Here is a sampling of academic and professional student organizations that may be of interest to Illinois PSM students:

American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers
Black Graduate Student Association
Horticulture Club
Illinois Biodiesel Initiative
Illinois Biological Society
Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences
Off Road Illini
Out in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics
Student Sustainability Committee
Students in Free Enterprise

Browse a list of all student organizations or visit the Office of Registered Student Organizations.

2011-08-22T10:41:00.001-05:00

Illinois Compass is an enterprise learning management system powered by Blackboard's Vista Enterprise software.

It gives faculty, instructors, students, and others a collaborative online space with tools for

Preparing, managing, and delivering course content in a variety of teaching styles
Assessing students through multiple types of learning activities
Tracking and publishing grades
Keeping course material available to students outside the classroom walls.

See Compass' Student Resource page for student tutorials and documentation.

Compass is managed by CITES -- Campus Information Technology and Educational Services -- for use by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Fall 2011 Kickoff

2011-08-15T12:26:00.000-05:00

It's almost time for graduate student orientation for newly-admitted Illinois PSM students. Orientation is Friday, August 19th, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in room 406+407 of the Illini Union [map].

Second-year students, staff, and faculty will kickoff with information and discussions to help student start off on the path to a productive and fulfilling graduate experience.

Orientation includes

program introductions,
transitioning to graduate school,
internships,
career services,
program breakouts, and
breakfast and lunch socials.

For more new student information, visit the Orientation page on the Illinois PSM website or contact us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu.

New Semester, New Students

2011-07-27T15:29:00.002-05:00

The start of the fall semester is just a few weeks away. About twenty newly-admitted students are joining the Illinois PSM's five degree programs.

Here are a couple of friendly reminders for new students:

Orientation: We'll kick-off your program with New Student Orientation on Friday, August 19th. All new students are expected to attend and we begin our work together at this very first meeting. You, faculty members, students, and staff will meet, socialize, and start our journey.
Advising and Registration: If you haven't already, talk to your program's faculty coordinator as soon as possible to plan your program of study. You'll register for your science courses, business courses, and the PSM seminar (details are available on the Orientation webpage.

If you are a domestic student, you can register for classes as soon as you've been advised and fall courses are selected with your faculty adviser.
If you are an international student, you can register as soon as you check-in with International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) when you arrive on campus.

If you have questions, contact Dr. Kevin Sightler at sightler@illinois.edu or (217) 265-5363 or visit the Illinois PSM website at psm.illinois.edu. We look forward to seeing you.

Business Course Registration - Fall 2011

2011-07-14T10:31:00.013-05:00

Fall term is almost here!

For newly admitted students and for second year students, consult with your adviser for your fall science courses.

For business courses --

Newly admitted students will register for BADM 508, BADM 595, and PSM 501
Second year students will register for BADM 595 and PSM 503.

You can find complete information on the Illinois PSM Orientation page and on the Current Students page.

If you have questions or need assistance, contact Dr. Kevin Sightler at sightler@illinois.edu or (217)265-5363 for advising.

Career Services Advice

2011-07-06T15:10:00.000-05:00

From The Career Center, advice for entering and returning students:

July is here, which means summer is almost half-way over! It's hard to believe the days go this fast so make sure to use the rest of your time wisely before coming (back) to campus. Tackle one or two things on our summer check-list to make sure your ready to go when things hit full steam in August:

Edit your Facebook pictures (work appropriate)
Conduct an informational interview
Update your resume - come to The Career Center for help!
Create a LinkedIn profile and connect with employers
Volunteer in your community

The Career Center resources are available to all U of I students -- graduate and undergraduate in all colleges and schools.

Business Curriculum Revision

2011-07-01T10:54:00.000-05:00

From its beginning, the Illinois PSM has been committed to continuous improvement.

Last spring, a group of faculty members convened to examine the PSM's business curriculum. With input from students and industry representatives from the Illinois PSM Advisory Board, the group decided a streamlined business curriculum would best suit PSM students' learning needs.

Content across several courses has been combined, some has been eliminated, and new content has been added.

Coursework, internships, and the industry seminar series collectively provide a unique learning experience that combines science knowledge with business know-how -- the defining characteristic of professional science master's programs.

The revised curriculum is effective Fall 2011. Additional details, including specific courses, are forthcoming in the following weeks.

For additional information about the Illinois PSM, visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu or email us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu. Degree programs are offered in

Fall 2011 New Student Orientation

2011-06-24T12:02:00.003-05:00

Welcome to all newly-admitted Illinois PSM graduate students!

We kick off the academic year with Orientation on Friday, August 19th, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Room 406 and 407 of the Illinois Union [map].

Faculty members, current students, and others will help you set your course by

orientating you to the responsibilities of graduate study,
providing a realistic preview of the first-year experience,
spending time in individual program breakout groups,
previewing the internship search process and timeline,
and more.

For additional information, visit the Orientation page on the Illinois PSM website or contact Kevin Sightler at sightler@illinois.edu or (217) 265-5363.

On behalf of everyone with the Illinois PSM, we look forward to seeing you on August 19th at the Union.

Plant Biology PSM Program Receives Council of Graduate Schools Recognition

2011-06-10T14:31:00.003-05:00

The Illinois PSM in Plant Biology is now recognized by the Council of Graduate Schools’ Professional Science Master’s (PSM) initiative (sciencemasters.com).

The new Plant Biology professional MS degree program in the Department of Plant Biology formally joins the 70 PSM member programs nationwide that offer a blend of biotechnology expertise and business skills. Across all disciplines, there are currently 239 PSM programs offered at 110 institutions.

The Illinois PSM in Plant Biology prepares scientists for the needs of biotechnology industries in agriculture, medicine and the environment. Its collaborations within the national organization will position the Plant Biology PSM to contribute broadly to the excellence of these distinctive and emerging graduate programs in the math and science disciplines.

For additional information, contact Dr. Joan Huber at jlhuber1@illinois.edu or (217) 333-5498. Visit the Plant Biology webpage at http://www.life.illinois.edu/plantbio/psm/.

New Bioenergy Bioprocessing Lab

2011-06-07T08:27:00.000-05:00

CABER, the Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research, has opened a new Bioprocessing Laboratory.

Here's a short story with video from local television station WCIA Champaign.

Illinois PSM in Plant Biology

2011-05-26T14:10:00.002-05:00

Learn more about the Illinois PSM program in Plant Biology:

visit the Department of Plant Biology online,
talk with Joan Huber (jlhuber1@illinois.edu, (217) 333-5498) Plant Biology program coordinator, or
visit the Illinois PSM website.

Applications are being accepted for Fall 2011.

Video by Hong Nan and Nate Hartmann. A transcript of this video is available.

Biofuels Digest Profiles Bioenergy PSM

2011-04-28T08:19:00.000-05:00

Biofuels Digest, the most widely-read biofuels daily newsletter, features the Illinois PSM in Bioenergy in a recent edition.

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign has a wide range of bioenergy research and educational programs. The Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research, CABER, administers the Bioenergy master's degree program. For more about the Bioenergy program, contact Natalie Bosecker at natalieb@illinois.edu or call (217) 244-9273.

For information on all Illinois PSM degree programs, including

Agricultural Production,
Bioenergy,
Food Science and Human Nutrition,
Plant Biology, and
Technical Systems Management,

visit the Illinois PSM website.

Prospective Student Drop-In

2011-04-21T13:17:00.000-05:00

Have you considered a

Professional Science Master's

for grad school?

Stop by the Illinois PSM informational drop-in on Monday, May 2, 2011, between 3:30 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. in the ACES Library room 105.

Representative from the Illinois PSM will be on-hand to talk with you and answer your questions about these exciting and unique master's degree programs.

Illinois Professional Science Master's (PSM) degree programs are offered in

Can I still apply for this fall? Absolutely! Applications are being accepted now for Fall 2011 enrollment.

For additional information, visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu, email PSMdegree@illinois.edu, or call (217) 265-5363.

Upcoming Career Fairs

2011-04-01T10:52:00.001-05:00

Two upcoming career fairs are prime opportunities for Illinois PSM students to connect with prospective employers.

The Research Park Career Fair is Tuesday, April 5, in the Gateway Building from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Representative from Research Park companies are recruiting for full-time and internship positions. Illinois PSM students have worked for Research Park companies and there may be new opportunities to explore. The Gateway Building is at 1600 S. Oak Street in Champaign (building "A" on the map [PDF]).

The All-Campus Career Fair is Monday, April 11, in the Illini Union from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Over 100 companies are scheduled to attend. Companies such as

Enterprise Works,
Hormel,
Indiana Packers, and
PepsiCo

may be of particular interest to Illinois PSM students. For a full list of companies, including company and position descriptions, visit the "Students" section of the fair's website.

As always, take advantage of the career services offered by ACES Career Services, The Career Center, Graduate College Career Services, and the Biotechnology Career Services Center.

Summer Registration for Current Students

2011-03-30T13:19:00.001-05:00

It's almost time to register for the summer term. Registration for grad students begins April 4. Three things for you to address:

Internship registration
In absentia registration
Financial aid

Current students should register for PSM 555 (Internship), CRN 35644, for 0 credit hours. Register via the UI-Integrate system.

Will you live more than 50 miles from campus for your internship? If so, you can register in absentia which will exempt you from certain summer term fees. Complete the in absentia form [PDF] and submit it to the Graduate College for approval; then complete your registration in the UI-Integrate system. To see what fees are exempt, refer to the Graduate College Handbook (section B, item 4).

Most financial aid requires that you register for at least three credit hours in the summer term. If this applies to you, contact Dr. Sightler to discuss options (sightler@illinois.edu, (217) 265-5363).

Professional Science Master’s Workshop

2011-03-25T16:03:00.002-05:00

Are you excited about science but don't see yourself directly in research or at the bench?

Do your career interests demand scientific knowledge as well as business skills?

Then join us for a conversational workshop to explore the professional science master’s (PSM).

The PSM prepares you for careers in industry, government or not-for-profit organizations by integrating graduate scholarship, business acumen, and real-world experience.

You’ll learn about

job and careers that a PSM program can prepare you for,
why PSM programs have become so popular,
the five degree programs in the Illinois PSM, and
the 200+ PSM programs at more than 100 colleges and universities in the U.S. and beyond.

Learn from

Illinois PSM alums,
current graduate students, and
program faculty members.

Come learn with us!

Tuesday, April 12, 2011
5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
161 Noyes Lab [map]

For more information and to RSVP, contact Joan Huber at JLhuber1@illinois.edu or (217) 333-5498.

The PSM workshop is hosted by the Illinois PSM in Plant Biology and the Illinois PSM, a unit of the Graduate College.

The Illinois PSM offers M.S. degree programs in Agricultural Production, Bioenergy, Food Science and Human Nutrition, Plant Biology, and Technical Systems Management.

Daily Illini Article Features the Illinois PSM

2011-03-21T11:03:00.000-05:00

Graduate-level program offers students more opportunities in science and business
by Darshan Patel, news staff writer

2010 graduate Derek Latil completed his undergraduate work in Spain. For the next step, he wanted something more than just a Master of Science, or MS, program.

That is when he found the Professional Science Master’s, or PSM, program here at the University. PSM is a unique graduate-level opportunity that incorporates both science and business.

“It was very original,” Latil said. “I think it makes a lot of sense. The whole academia is moving more towards connecting more with the industry.”

A PSM program in any discipline consists of four components: science, business, a series of seminars and a summer internship. It differs from some MS programs in that a thesis is not required.

Kevin Sightler, director of PSMs at the University, described PSMs as practical programs, which give students a chance to interact with the real world.

“It’s for people who want a hands-on management (and) leadership-tied position but in a science setting,” Sightler said. “They (the students) will be very trained as a scientist, but integrated with that is the business aspect of it.”

Business will be incorporated into eight specialized courses and weekly seminars, which are lectures and discussions with industry leaders.

“Many companies are expecting people with no business background to be able to form budgets, perform project management and execute human resources activities for their labs, greenhouses and research projects,” said Amber Hendricks, graduate student in the Agricultural Production PSM.

“Having a PSM will give me the business skills to fill these types of positions,” Hendricks added.

Furthermore, a summer internship is required after the first full year of being enrolled in the program. Latil interned at IllinoisVENTURES, a technology investment firm focused on research-derived companies in information technologies, physical sciences, life sciences and clean technology, according to its website.

“This internship has been something different, it has given me a perspective from the real world,” Latil said. “I’ve been able to see which companies are successful (and) which are not. That’s something I really learned.”

Sightler said program heads work with students to find the right match.

“(We) find opportunities that reflect what the intent of the program (is). We try to be flexible with the students depending on what their career aspirations are,” Sightler said.

Latil was among the first to graduate from the 16-month program last December at the University. Five programs will be offered for the incoming class in the fall, including the recently added Plant Biology PSM in Liberal Arts and Sciences. [Added: The programs are Agricultural Production, Bioenergy, Food Science and Human Nutrition, Plant Biology, and Technical Systems Management.]

Sightler said faculty is talking about adding other PSMs in the future as growth “has taken off nationwide, particularly in the last 18 months.”

“When schools are downsizing and eliminating programs, we’re seeing pretty significant growth in PSMs. The enrollments of the programs are growing,” Sightler said. “I think people are finding something with the PSM that resonates with them.”

Original source: DailyIllini.com

Illinois PSM Alum Wins National Ethanol Scholarship

2011-02-25T09:07:00.000-06:00

Courtesy of Cindy Zimmerman, DomesticFuel.com

For the second year, the Renewable Fuels Association and the Renewable Fuels Foundation sponsored the National Ethanol Conference Scholarship program to help students pursuing advanced education in ethanol related careers to attend the conference.

This year’s five winners hailed from all over the country and are interested in a variety of areas related to the ethanol industry. From left to right, they are: Kai Nortey, a graduate student of Integrated Marketing and PR at Golden Gate University in California; Ethanol Kenney, who is pursuing a mechanical engineering degree at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Anuradha Mukherjee pursuing her PhD in chemical engineering at Oklahoma State; Julia O’Rourke, a second year MS/PhD student in mechanical engineering at the University of Texas; and Derek Latil de Ros, who recently graduated from the University of Illinois with the first Master’s degree in the U.S. focused on Bioenergy.

Read the complete story and view the photo album at DomesticFuel.com.

February Prospective Student Drop-In

2011-02-03T10:53:00.000-06:00

(click to enlarge)

Have questions or want to learn more about the Illinois PSM?

Then stop by our informational drop-in on Tuesday, February 15, 2011, between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. in the ACES Library room 105.

Representative from the Illinois PSM will be on-hand to talk with you and answer your questions about these exciting and unique master's degree programs.

Professional Science Master's degree programs are offered in

Agricultural Production,
Bioenergy,
Food Science and Human Nutrition,
Technical Systems Management, and
Plant Biology (pending final approvals).

Applications are being accepted now for Fall 2011 enrollment.

For additional information, visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu, email PSMdegree@illinois.edu, or call (217) 265-5363.

Illinois PSM Plant Biology Coordinator Named

2011-01-24T15:54:00.013-06:00

Joan Huber has accepted an offer for the new position of visiting program coordinator of the Illinois PSM in plant biology in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Huber will assume the new role in preparation for the new plant biology program, which will begin enrolling students for fall 2011, pending final approvals.

The coordinator is responsible for recruiting students, advancing the program within and outside the University, developing experiential learning opportunities, program assessment, teaching, and writing grant proposals.

Huber holds a degree in biology from Wayne State University and a doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Idaho. Her research experience includes 15 years working in plant physiology and biochemistry for the USDA, NASA, and the departments of botany and horticulture at North Carolina State University.

“Dr. Huber’s significant experience and expertise in plant biology are perfect fits for this new role,” according to Kevin Sightler, director of the Illinois PSM. “She will be an important resource for students, industry partners, prospective students, and alumni. I’m thrilled she’s joining the Illinois PSM team.”

For more information about the Illinois PSM in plant biology, contact Joan Huber at jlhuber1@illinois.edu, or Kevin Sightler at sightler@illinois.edu or 217-265-5363. For more information about the Illinois PSM, visit psm.illinois.edu.

Plant Biology PSM

2011-01-20T12:44:00.000-06:00

The Illinois Professional Science Master's (PSM) program is planning to launch a new program this fall in Plant Biology.

Pending final approval, students will be admitted to the program for the Fall 2011 term.

A 16-month program, the Illinois PSM in plant biology is designed to prepare students for careers in industry, not-for-profit, or government in rolls that require advanced science knowledge plus applied business skills.

Watch this blog and the Illinois PSM website for more information as it becomes available.

For more information about the program or how to apply for Fall 2011, contact Joan Huber, plant biology PSM coordinator at jlhuber1@illinois.edu; or Kevin Sightler, Illinois PSM director, at sightler@illinois.edu or (217) 265-5363.

First Students in Illinois Professional Science Master’s Program Graduate

2011-01-05T11:19:00.000-06:00

News Release. Urbana, Ill. - The first students in the Professional Science Master’s program at the University of Illinois graduated on December 17, 2010.

“We’re excited to have the first students to graduate from this new program that combines a superb education in science with training in management, business and professional leadership,” said Dr. Laurie Kramer, associate dean for academic programs for the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences.

The Illinois PSM is a non-thesis program that enables students to gain graduate training in a scientific discipline. The business curriculum complements the science core and includes courses in technology management, marketing, entrepreneurship, people and technology at work, and more.

The program is completed in 16-months of full-time study on the Urbana-Champaign campus and includes a summer internship.

“When I joined the Illinois PSM, I was really looking for something different. I knew that coming to Illinois, I would have the opportunity to have the academic experience – but I was looking for more,” said Joseph Reese, a food science and human nutrition PSM graduate. "I’ve been able to make a lot of contacts with senior leaders in major companies and was able to learn from them what skills I need to develop to be successful. The ability to gain as many of those skills as I can has been the most valuable part of the Illinois PSM.”

A new PSM program in technical systems management starts in August, 2011. This program will prepare individuals to become problem solvers for systems involving the application, management, and marketing of agricultural engineering technologies. Other programs are being developed, including science programs in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

For questions about the Illinois PSM, contact Natalie Bosecker, PSM coordinator for the College of ACES, at natalieb@illinois.edu or (217) 244-9273; or Kevin Sightler, director, Illinois Professional Science Master’s at (217) 265-5363 or sightler@illinois.edu. Or visit us on the Web at psm.illinois.edu.

Illinois PSM 2011

2011-01-03T09:41:00.001-06:00

From everyone with the Illinois Professional Science Master's program, best wishes for a healthy and productive new year.

January is prime-time for applying for admission to the Illinois PSM. Programs will begin making admission decisions soon. Apply online today. If you have questions, contact us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu or call (217) 265-5363.

The Illinois PSM offers M.S. degree programs in

A new program in Plant Biology is planned for Fall 2011, pending final approvals. If you're interested in this new program, let us know and we can provide you with more information.

Illinois PSM Spring Info Drop-ins

2010-12-23T16:01:00.000-06:00

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We're pleased to announce our spring semester informational session drop-in dates:

February 15 - 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
March 14 - 1:00 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.
April 7 2:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.
May 2 - 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Drop by and talk with an Illinois PSM representative to learn more about the program and to learn if the Illinois PSM is a match to your grad school and professional needs.

The Illinois PSM offers M.S. degree programs in

Applications for Fall 2010 are being accepted now. To learn more about applying, visit the Illinois PSM website.

Illinois PSM December Graduates

2010-12-23T15:35:00.008-06:00

Congratulations Illinois PSM December 2010 Graduates

Front row (left to right): Benjamin Wier, Agricultural Production; Debra Lewis, Agricultural Production; Justin Maatubang, Bioenergy; Jennifer Pahnke, Agricultural Production; Yu-Hsien (Simon) Chen, Bioenergy. Back row: Brandt Hertenstein, Bioenergy; Joseph Reese, Food Science & Human Nutrition; Albert Pangestan, Food Science & Human Nutrition; John Buns, Bioenergy; Dr. Kevin Sightler, Director, Illinois Professional Science Master’s. (Not pictured: Derek Latil, Bioenergy; Curtis Manahan, Bioenergy)

Bioenergy Feedstocks Symposium 2011

2010-12-06T12:29:00.003-06:00

The Bioenergy Feedstocks Symposium provides researchers, farmers and industry leaders with bioenergy research information. The Symposium focuses on the use of perennial grasses as renewable energy sources and as profitable alternative crops for the Midwest.

The Symposium will be held on January 11 and 12, 2011, at the Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign.

Topics range from breeding and improvement to thermochemical conversion of biomass fuels to biorefinery operation.

On-going research at the University of Illinois, other institutions, and companies is profiled.

The Bioenergy Feedstocks Symposium addresses issues relevant to farmers, researchers, academics, and industrial professionals. People in local, regional, state governments will also benefit from the Symposium.

Rural economic development and sustainable energy -- particularly as they relate to the Midwest -- are highlighted.

For more information and to register, visit the Bioenergy Feedstocks Symposium website. Or access via smartphone:

Sponsored by:
Energy Biosciences Institute
LI-COR Biosciences

December Prospective Student Drop-In

2010-12-06T11:43:00.000-06:00

The Illinois Professional Science Master's (PSM) hosts a drop in for prospective students on Tuesday, December 7, 2010, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in room 105 of the ACES Library.

Come talk to an Illinois PSM representative to learn more about the program and if the Illinois PSM is a match to your grad school and professional needs.

The Illinois PSM offers M.S. degree programs in

Applications for Fall 2010 are being accepted now. To learn more about applying, visit the Illinois PSM website.

Neuroscience at Illinois

2010-11-10T13:46:00.001-06:00

We're exploring creating a new professional science master's degree program in neuroscience.

The M.S. degree program in neuroscience would combine the scientific principles and knowledge in the rapidly-developing fields of

Biotechnology,
Neuroengineering, and
Neuroscience and law,

with “real world” experience and knowledge of the business, ethical, and legal issues of neuroscience.

Students will learn across all major areas of neuroscience or combine core knowledge with greater depth of study in one or more areas such as

Aging,
Genomics,
Learning and memory,
Neural disease, or
Neuroengineering.

Let us know your interest in this possible new program. Complete a brief, anonymous, survey by clicking the "Neuroscience Survey" button below. Your feedback will also help us make important decisions about the content of the program. Thank you for participating.

Update - December 6, 2010

The "Neuroscience Survey" is now closed

Thank you for participating

Illinois PSM Graduate Reception

2010-11-09T16:53:00.000-06:00

Congratulations to the Illinois PSM students completing their degree programs in December. They will soon join the ranks of thousands of loyal University of Illinois alumni as the first graduates of the Illinois Professional Science Master’s program.

In their honor, Illinois PSM graduates and their guests are invited to a celebratory reception on Friday, December 17, 2010, from 4:30 to 6:00 p.m. in Room 217 of the Illini Union.

The Illinois PSM reception is in conjunction with the College of ACES December graduate reception. The PSM reception is near the Illini Ballroom where the ACES reception and graduate presentation will be held.

The College of ACES presentation ceremony begins at 6:00 p.m. For more information, visit the December Graduate Reception page on the College of ACES website.

If you are a graduating Illinois PSM student, RSVP to Carol Puckett (cpuckett@illinois.edu) with the number of guests you expect to attend. Note, also, that the College of ACES requests that you register for their reception. Your replies will allow us to plan for your attendance and make sure materials are prepared for you and your guests.

For additional information, contact the Illinois PSM at PSMdegree@illinois.edu or call (217) 265-5363.

Links

College of ACES December Graduate Reception:

Information

Registration

Cap and gown rentals (optional):

Herff Jones

For Guests:

Illinois Union map

Illini Union parking

November Prospective Student Drop-In

2010-11-02T08:46:00.000-05:00

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The Illinois Professional Science Master's (PSM) hosts a drop in for prospective students on Tuesday, November 2, 2010, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in room 105 of the ACES Library.

Come talk to an Illinois PSM representative to learn more about the program and if the Illinois PSM is a match to your grad school and professional needs.

The Illinois PSM offers M.S. degree programs in

Agricultural Production,
Bioenergy,
Food Science and Human Nutrition, and
Technical Systems Management.

Applications for Fall 2010 are being accepted now. To learn more about applying, visit the Illinois PSM website.

New Degree Program: Technical Systems Management

2010-10-19T10:18:00.000-05:00

There’s a new Illinois PSM program in the fall 2011 line-up: Technical Systems Management (TSM).

The TSM master’s degree program is designed to prepare you for technical and leadership careers in agricultural and biological systems management.

The program will equip you with the advanced knowledge, abilities, and skills to apply physical and natural sciences to solve some of the world’s most pressing problems.

As a TSM graduate, you will be able to:

demonstrate a broad and deep knowledge of technical systems management,
apply cross-disciplinary knowledge to solving technical systems,
understand the larger role of TSM 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.

The Department of 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.

Applications for admission for fall 2011 may be submitted online now. For additional information, visit the “Apply Now” page on the Illinois PSM website, or contact us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu.

Illinois PSM Bioenergy Student: John Buns

2010-10-12T10:28:00.000-05:00

In the summer of 2008, gas prices skyrocketed and both U.S. presidential candidates promoted renewable, domestic sources of fuel as the answer to our environmental and political problems.

These were two of the factors that motivated John Buns to pursue a professional science master’s degree in bioenergy at the University of Illinois.

The degree program is offered through the Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER) in the College of ACES.

Buns selected Illinois for a variety of reasons. “In a long list of ‘biotechnology’ programs ‘bioenergy’ visibly stood out,” he said.

“I realized that there would be plenty of government incentives to start bioenergy-related companies in the near future and that the decreasing global supply of oil and coal would create a demand which these new companies could meet.”

Buns spent his last semester as a Northern Arizona University undergraduate in Limerick, Ireland, taking advanced biotechnology courses. “I was looking forward to entering the biotech industry, but when I came home gas was $4 per gallon and the economy was fading.

“I decided I wanted to further my education and liked the idea of a program that combined business with science, law, and regulation. I have always felt that my niche was in combining multiple disciplines rather than being an expert in one, so a professional science master’s degree was exactly what I was looking for.”

U of I’s large size and outstanding reputation appealed to Buns. “I wanted to work alongside motivated students looking to make a significant impact in the renewable energy industry and knew I’d find that at Illinois.

“I also had a personal interest to attend U of I. My parents, grandparents, and cousins went here, so being able to get a taste of what they experienced was very enticing.”

CABER director Hans Blaschek said that the professional science master’s program in bioenergy builds bridges between science and business to meet the state’s and the country’s needs for sustainable energy.

“There is a growing demand for a well-educated scientific-technical workforce in bioenergy and related biosciences,” Blaschek said. “Because this program includes practical activities and internships, it will result in a pool of skilled scientists, managers, engineers, economists, and technicians who will be able to apply the advance and innovative methods of energy production.

Text and photo from "Energy-related Research," published by the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, University of Illinois.

October Prospective Student Drop-In

2010-10-04T07:55:00.000-05:00

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The Illinois Professional Science Master's (PSM) will hold its second drop-in of the fall semester on Tuesday, October 5, 2010, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in room 105 of the ACES Library.

Come talk to an Illinois PSM representative to learn more about the program and if the Illinois PSM is a match to your grad school and professional needs.

The Illinois PSM offers M.S. degree programs in

Agricultural Production,
Bioenergy,
Food Science and Human Nutrition, and
Technical Systems Management.

Applications for Fall 2010 are being accepted now. To learn more about applying, visit the Illinois PSM website.

Illinois PSM Fall Student Profile

2010-09-09T13:03:00.003-05:00

A few facts and figures about the Illinois Professional Science (PSM) Master's students enrolled this fall at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign:

80% of students are domestic; 20% are international
One-third of students are women; two-thirds are men
International students are from France, India, Indonesia, and Taiwan.
Most students have undergraduate degrees in biological sciences (biology, biotechnology, integrative biology, molecular and cellular biology, etc.) or animal sciences. Biochemistry, chemistry, and food science and human nutrition are also represented.

From what undergraduate institutions did Illinois PSM students graduate? Eleven colleges and universities are represented by the current Illinois PSM students:

Elmhurst College
Fu Jen Catholic University
Illinois Wesleyan University
Knox College
Northern Arizona University
Patil University
Texas A&M University
University of Florida
University of Illinois
Univeristat de Vic
University of California, Riverside

To learn more about the Illinois PSM, visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu, email us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu, or call (217) 265-5363.

Drop-In For Prospective Illinois PSM Students

2010-08-30T15:59:00.000-05:00

(Click to enlarge)

Are you

interested in a career combining science and business?
wondering what degree would best prepare you?
considering your grad school options?

Then stop in at one of the Illinois PSM Drop-Ins this semester. From 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m., in room 105 of the ACES Library, an Illinois PSM representative will be available to talk with you about programs in

Agricultural Production,
Bioenergy,
Food Science and Human Nutrition, and
Technical Systems Management.

Drop-ins are the first Tuesday of the month during the fall semester:

September 7
October 5
November 2
December 7

For additional information, contact the Illinois PSM at PSMdegree@illinois.edu, call (217) 265-5363, or visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu.

Illinois PSM Students Kick Off Fall Semester

2010-08-20T20:02:00.003-05:00

The Illinois Professional Science Master's (PSM) kicked off the academic year today with an orientation to welcome its 13 newly admitted students.

Over 30 new students, returning students, faculty, and staff shared advice, goals, experience, and strategies for success in graduate school.

Second-year students Deb Lewis and John Buns offered their advice on how to effectively transition from undergraduate to graduate student. Derek Latil, Albert Pangestan, and Ben Wier talked about their recently-completed internships at Illinois Ventures, Dannon, and Monsanto, respectively. They advised new students to start their search early and to keep open all possible options.

Fall semester classes begin Monday, August 23rd.

For additional information about the Illinois PSM, visit psm.illinois.edu or email PSMdegree@illinois.edu. Degree programs are offered in Agricultural Production, Bioenergy, and Food Science and Human Nutrition.

New Student Orientation

2010-08-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

Orientation for newly admitted Illinois PSM students is this Friday, August 20th, from 8:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room of the ACES Library.

Our goal is an interactive, engaging, and entertaining start to your program. Current students, faculty members, and others involved in the Illinois PSM will participate.

Here's an abbreviated agenda:

Welcome and introductions
New student introductions
Realistic preview of the first year experience
Program overviews and breakouts
Making the most of graduate school
Internships and administrative issues
The internship experience
Overview of ACES career services
Q + A, social and lunch

Visit the orientation page on the Illinois PSM website for additional information.

New Student Resources

2010-07-02T17:46:00.001-05:00

Air Transport

Shuttle Services

Train + Bus Transport

Mass Transit

Guides + Media

Champaign Tastes – Cooking and Eating in East-Central Illinois
Daily Illini – Student-run newspaper
Guide to Living (Cheaply) in Champaign/Urbana – Courtesy of the Center for Biophysics and Computational Biology
Housing– U of I Tenant Union
Orientation Guide – Definitely intended for freshmen, but good info on campus, local companies, community and campus events, and U of I traditions
The Graduate College Guide to Student Life
The News-Gazette – Champaign-Urbana community newspaper
the217.com – Music, food+drink, stage, arts, life, and LGBT information
Weather

Campus Resources

A-Z Index – An alphabetical index of departments and services
Compass – Illinois’ Blackboard Vista online learning system
Financial Aid – Office of Student Financial Aid
Graduate and Professional Admissions Office – The official admitting office for Illinois graduate students
International Student and Scholar Services - The campus office devoted to international students, scholars, faculty and staff
Library – Portal to one of the world’s largest public university collections
Registrar – Office of the Registrar

Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture at Illinois

2010-05-11T08:49:00.000-05:00

For more the 20 years, the Agroecology and Sustainable Agriculture Program has been leading the way in sustainable, organic agricultural production.

Watch this video on the program's student-run farm, supplying fresh produce to the University of Illinois cafeterias.

University of Illinois Supplying Cafeterias from New Student Run Farm from ASAP Illinois on Vimeo.

The program's mission is to facilitate and promote research and education which protects Illinois' natural and human resources while sustaining agricultural production in perpetuity.

Under the direction of Michelle Wander, associate professor of natural resources and environmental sciences, the program is part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences at the University of Illinois.

The Illinois Professional Science Master's (PSM) program offers an M.S. degree in Agricultural Production. For more information, visit the Illinois PSM website or email PSMdegree@illinois.edu.

Science + Business Mind Maps

2010-04-23T09:33:00.001-05:00

The interplay between science and business is a core theme of the Illinois Professional Science Master's program. Students critically examine science and business concepts and relationships through coursework, seminars, individual assignments, team-based exercises, and through internships.

Illinois PSM student teams created mind maps of their conceptualizations of the science + business interface. Mind maps are powerful, visual representations of concepts and relationships.

The mind maps grew out of an essay assignment in PSM 502, the second semester seminar series. Having completed their essays individually, student teams created mind maps in about 15 minutes and then presented them to the class.

Creative, imaginative, enlightening, and fun -- and all for the purpose of developing a better understanding of the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and abilities necessary to turn scientific discovery into useful, life-enhancing products and services.

About the Illinois PSM
The Illinois PSM offers M.S. degree programs combining science and business. To learn more, visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu or e-mail us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu.

Sustainability

2010-04-12T16:42:00.006-05:00

"Sustainability" is a common theme of the Illinois Professional Science Master's (PSM) degree programs:

Sustainable production systems specialization in the Agricultural Production program,
Sustainable and cleaner biofuels in the Bioenergy program, and
Sustainable, nutritious, affordable and safe food supplies in the Food Science and Human Nutrition program.

What does "sustainability" mean for Champaign county, home of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign? Watch this video of people in Champaign addressing this question:

What are people doing? Among the mix of local and state initiatives is the Illinois Green Business Association, headquartered at the M2 building in downtown Champaign. This not-for-profit organization helps Illinois businesses reduce their ecological footprint through a green business certification program.

About the Illinois PSM
The Illinois PSM offers M.S. degree programs combining science and business. To learn more, visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu or e-mail us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu.

April Career Services Events

2010-04-08T08:06:00.001-05:00

The Career Center at Illinois has many more workshops and events scheduled for this semester. For career exploration, job searches, or on-going career development, take advantage of what they can offer you as an Illinois PSM student.

Culture of the American Workplace: Thursday, April 22, 6PM
Conducting Company Research: Monday, April 12, 6PM
Technology Etiquette: Wednesday, April 14, 5PM
Winning Resumes: Monday, April 12, 4PM; Wednesday, April 28, 7PM
Internship Essentials: Monday, April 12, 7PM
Networking Your Job Search: Thursday, April 15, 4PM
Successful Interviewing: Thursday, April 15, 5PM; Tuesday, April 27, 7PM
Salary Negotiation: Wednesday, April 21, 6PM
Exploring Careers in the Federal Government: Wednesday, April 21, 4PM
Mastering the Federal Application Process: Thursday, April 22, 4PM

For additional information, refer to The Career Center's calendar [pdf] or visit them online.

Career services are available to Illinois PSM students through the College of ACES Career Services, Graduate College Career Services, and The Career Center.

Bioenergy at Engineering Open House

2010-04-04T19:33:00.007-05:00

Illinois PSM bioenergy students designed and built an anaerobic digester system to convert household waste into energy. Their system was displayed at the 2010 Engineering Open House. See the bioenergy students in the first segment of this video and read about their project online.

Career Center Workshops

2010-03-29T11:55:00.006-05:00

The Career Center delivers five workshops this week of possible interest to Illinois PSM students. Take advantage of these rich resources as you prepare for your internship and job search.

Workshops are held at the Arcade Building Conference Room 143 at The Career Center [map]. Register online. Some events are available via streaming video online.

Monday, March 29, 5:00 p.m.: Managing Your Online Persona - streamed live online. Make sure your online information makes the right first impression.
Wednesday, March 31, 3:00 p.m.: Successful Interviewing. Learn about types of interviews, interview preparation and responses to typical behavioral questions.
Wednesday, March 31, 5:00 p.m.: General Etiquette. The first of the three part series outlines general etiquette guidelines that everyone needs to know when approaching any professional situation. Meeting an employer for the first time? From making an impression in the room to what NOT to eat when you are attending a networking meal, learn about the do's and don'ts of professional etiquette.
Thursday, April 1, 4:00 p.m.: Winning Résumés and Cover Letters. The basics of writing a resume including format and objectives in a one hour workshop. Cover letters and special situations are addressed.
Thursday, April 1, 5:00 p.m.: Internship Essentials. Learn how to search for and successfully obtain career-related work experiences.

Interested in other workshops and events? See the spring 2010 Career Center calendar [PDF] for details.

Career Development Event for Scientists

2010-03-22T12:23:00.004-05:00

Two career development events for scientists are planned on the U of I campus on Monday, March 29th. Illinois PSM students and prospective students are encouraged to attend.

"Making New Contacts: Learning to Network Strategically" will help you find ways to make networking work for you. Learn from others and how important networking is to career and personal development. This session starts at 1:30 p.m.

"Careers Away from the Bench" explores career options outside of academic and industrial research. Alternate career paths are discussed, led by those who have created so-call "non-traditional" opportunities. This session starts at 5:30 p.m.

Both sessions are in Room B102 in the Chemical and Life Science Laboratory (Building B) [map].

Sessions are free and you are welcome to attend either or both.

Questions? Contact Freddy Nguyen at fnguyen@illinois.edu.

This event is sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), Science Careers, and the Clinical & Translational Science Network.

Non-Profit & Government Career Fair 2010

2010-03-09T11:27:00.004-06:00

Are you looking for full-time, part-time, internship, summer, or volunteer positions in non-profit and government organizations?

Then visit the Non-Profit & Government Career Fair to meet representatives and learn about available opportunities.

The fair is Monday, March 15, from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. in Rooms A-B-C of the Illini Union [map]. For a list of participating organizations, visit the Non-Profit & Government Career Fair web site. Advanced registration is not required.

The Non-Profit & Government Career Fair is sponsored by The Career Center, Office of Volunteer Programs, Graduate College Career Services, and College of ACES Career Services.

Live Streaming Career Center Workshops

2010-03-05T13:58:00.000-06:00

The Career Center knows that you’re busy and can't always make it in for workshops. As part of a pilot program, they're bringing the workshops to you online via streaming video. You'll see and hear the same information as the in-person attendees and you can ask questions via on-line chat.

The following workshops will be streamed live:

March 9, 4pm: Getting "LinkedIn" to What?
March 10, 5pm: Selecting Grad School Options
March 16, 5pm: Exploring Careers in the Federal Government
March 17, 5pm: Databases for the Job Search
March 18, 5pm: Mastering the Federal Application Process
March 29, 5pm: Managing Your Online Persona

To register for streaming workshops, visit The Career Center’s Virtual Workshop web site.

For more events and other workshops, see the “Upcoming Events” tab on The Career Center web site.

Biotechnology at Illinois

2010-02-28T16:22:00.007-06:00

We're exploring the possibility of creating a new PSM program in biotechnology.

The program would combine a mastery of the scientific principles and knowledge of biotechnology with the "real world" experiences of legal, ethical, and business issues of the field.

The biotechnology program would be distinguished from traditional M.S. degree programs by its applied focus, combination of coursework in science and business, lack of thesis requirement, and its internship.

Let us know your interest in this possible new program. Complete a brief, anonymous, survey by clicking the link below. Your feedback will also help us make important decisions about the content of the program.

Update [3/15/2010]:
The Biotechnology Survey period has ended.

Thank you for your participation.

Entrepreneurship, Graduate Education and the Ilinois PSM

2010-02-19T09:56:00.000-06:00

Kevin Sightler
Illinois PSM Director

If you've read some of this blog's posts over the past months, you know that one of the themes of the Illinois PSM is entrepreneurship. From courses to workshops to start-up incubators, Illinois PSM students have access to a rich array of entrepreneurship knowledge and applications.

Just a few examples include the upcoming Technology Entrepreneur Center's "Invention to Venture: Urbana 2010!" workshop, the Cozad New Venture Challenge, the Student Startup Incubator facility of the student-run Illini Entrepreneurship Network (IEN), and Enterprise Works, a 43,000 sq. ft. technology incubator at the Research Park.

The U of I Graduate College likewise supports and promotes entrepreneurship in education, encouraging an entrepreneurial culture in innovative graduate programs. The Illinois PSM is a unit of the Graduate College.

To discuss and encourage entrepreneurial graduate education, like the Illinois PSM, the Graduate College is hosting the "Entrepreneurship and Graduate Education" symposium featuring a panel of recognized experts. Lee T. Todd, Jr., president of the University of Kentucky and chair of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, will deliver the keynote address: Entrepreneurial Thinking in Graduate Education: A National Need?

The symposium on Thursday, February 25, 2010, from 1:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. in the Illini Union Room A, B, and C.

Additional information, including discussion panelists and topics, is available on the Graduate College web site.

ABOUT THE ILLINOIS PSM:
The Illinois Professional Science Master's offers 16-month, non-thesis M.S. degrees combining science and business in three programs:

For more information, visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu, or contact us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu or call (217) 265-5363.

Weekly Open House for Prospective Students

2010-02-15T21:35:00.001-06:00

Does the idea of being an innovator, an entrepreneur, a leader or a manager excite you? Does your passion for science motivate you to continue your studies beyond the bachelor's degree? Have you considered graduate school but decided that a Ph.D. isn't for you right now?

If you answered "yes" to any of these, then consider the Illinois Professional Science Master's program.

The Open House events for spring 2010 semester have ended.

We are still available, of course, to meet or talk with you.

Contact us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu or call (217) 265-5363.

The Illinois PSM is hosting a weekly Open House for prospective students. Every Wednesday (except during spring break) from 11:30 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. in the Spitze Room on the first floor of the ACES Library [map], an Illinois PSM representative will be available to meet with you. Stop in to talk about programs, degree options, admissions, and career choices to learn if the Illinois PSM is a good fit for you. Free pizza is available (as long as it lasts, of course!).

For additional information, contact the Illinois PSM at PSMdegree@illinois.edu or call (217) 265-5363. We look forward to seeing you there.

Invention to Venture Workshop

2010-02-09T16:37:00.010-06:00

A community of aspiring entrepreneurs will convene here on February 20th for an all-day workshop: "Invention to Venture: Urbana 2010!" The workshop will tackle the practical issues of business plans, intellectual property, marketing, and related topics.

This is a great opportunity for Illinois PSM students (and prospective students) to explore the process of turning science-based ideas into commercially viable ventures.

Student cost is only $15 for the all-day event and includes breakfast, lunch, and materials.

Workshop facilitators are:

Joe Barich - patent attorney of Partner, McAndrews, Held & Malloy
Bill Colburn - senior patent coordinator of Office of Technology Management, University of Illinois
Nate Kontny - CTO of Inkling
Rob Schultz - senior director of Illinois Ventures
Alan Singleton - attorney of Singleton Law Firm

Registration is required and space is limited. Visit the workshop web site for more information and to register online.

The workshop is sponsored by the Technology Entrepreneur Center, a unit of the U of I's College of Engineering, and the National Collegiate Inventors and Innovators Alliance (NCIIA).

ABOUT THE ILLINOIS PSM:
The Illinois Professional Science Master's offers 16-month, non-thesis M.S. degrees combining science and business in three programs:

For more information, visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu, or contact us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu or call (217) 265-5363.

Open House Success

2010-02-03T21:02:00.014-06:00

Thank you to everyone who came to the Illinois PSM Open House and to the Green Career Fair today. We talked to many prospective students about the exciting PSM degree programs at Illinois.

Professional science master's programs continue to grow nationally. Students, employers, policy makers, human resource managers, and the scientific community increasingly recognize the unique value of the PSM learning experience. The Illinois PSM is proud to be a part of this leading edge community.

If you were unable to attend today's Open House and would like to learn more about the Illinois PSM, we're happy to talk with you. Call us at (217) 265-5363 or email PSMdegree@illinois.edu. And, of course, you can always visit us on the web at psm.illinois.edu

A special word of thanks to current Illinois PSM students who came and shared their insights and experiences: John Buns, Simon Chen, Brandt Hertenstein-Depoister, Derek Latil, Curtis Manahan, Justin Maatubang, and Ben Wier.

And thanks to the faculty and staff who participated in today's events: Betty Barrett, Natalie Bosecker, Nicki Engeseth, Holly Foster, Joan Huber, and Steve Huber.

Illinois Professional Science Master's: Two Events, One Day

2010-02-02T07:49:00.002-06:00

There are two important Illinois PSM-related events this week -- one for prospective students and one for current students.

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For prospective students, the Illinois PSM is hosting an Open House. Illinois PSM representative will be available from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and faculty members and current students will be available from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m. The Open House on Wednesday, February 3rd in room 211 of the Illini Union. Come learn more about the Illinois Professional Science Master's degree programs.

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And for current students, the Green Career Fair is an opportunity to meet with recruiters about internships or full-time job opportunities. The Green Career Fair is Wednesday, February 3rd, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Illini Union. Visit the College of ACES Career Services web site for more information, including a list of participating companies.

For additional information, contact the Illinois PSM at (217) 265-5363 or PSMdegree@illinois.edu.

New Year - New Opportunities

2010-01-01T06:19:00.014-06:00

2010 promises to be an eventful year for the Illinois PSM.

Our first cohort of professional science master's students will graduate in December, they will engage in internships in the summer, and the spring semester begins in just a couple of weeks.

Spring semester brings an exciting new learning opportunity for professional science master's students, particularly in the bioenergy arena. The weekly bioenergy seminar series beings January 25th and is open to PSM students, the university community, and the general public.

Here's a quick run-down of the topics:

January 25 - Introduction to the Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER) and Bioenergy Lifecycle
February 1 - Confronting Climate Change Concerns in the Midwest
February 8 - A Mass-Balance Based Engineering Economic Spreadsheet Model for Evaluating Pre- and Post-Fractionation Processes for Dry Grind
February 15 - Producing and Utilizing Miscanthus: Learning from an European Model
February 22 - Environment Enhancing Energy – Synergism of Algae Biofuels with Waste Treatment for Agricultural, Energy and Municipal Applications
March 1 - Coskata, Inc. and the Commercial Readiness of Feedstock Flexible Ethanol Production
March 8 - What is Cap and Trade?
March 15 - The MixAlco Process: Fuels and Chemicals from Biomass
March 29 - The Future of Renewable Fuels
April 5 - Bioenergy Research in the USDA Agricultural Research Service
April 12 - An Overview of U.S. Department of Energy Bioenergy/Biofuels Initiatives
April 26 - Biobased Materials for Renewable Energy
May 3 - Photovoltaics as Part of a Renewable Energy Economy

For complete details, including speaker profiles and locations, visit the Education and Outreach web page of the Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research.

Prospective Student Open House

2009-12-21T15:20:00.017-06:00

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Do you want to put your expertise to work in a career that combines science with business? The Illinois Professional Science Master’s (PSM) may be right for you.

The Illinois PSM is hosting an Open House for prospective students on Wednesday, February 3, 2010, in the Illini Union, room 211.

Illinois PSM representative will be available from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m., and faculty members and current students will be available from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.

The Illinois PSM offers 16-month, non-thesis M.S. degrees combining science and business in three degree programs:

The event is open to the public. Refreshments will be served.

For more information, contact the Illinois PSM at PSMdegree@illinois.edu or call 217.265.5363.

Entrepreneurship-in-Action

2009-12-17T16:53:00.012-06:00

Kevin Sightler
Illinois PSM Director

I've spoken many times on the centrality of entrepreneurship in the scientific enterprise.

From the relatively simple yet novel application of science to solve a problem, to the paradigm-shifting scientific discovery, the entrepreneurial process ushers new products and services to market that may impact the quality of life of millions of people.

Even on a modest scale and at the margin, the cumulative effects of entrepreneurship change what we do, how we live, what we pay, and how we steward our world to the next generation.

In that light, two items today caught my attention, both connected to the good work done by the people at the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation on entrepreneurship, innovation, education, and research and policy. I'll mention one now, and save the other for a subsequent post.

On this blog, I've written how amazed and inspired I am by entrepreneurs. Some are bankrolled with millions of dollars, others are living off the largess of friends and family members as they struggle to start their enterprise.

What never ceases to surprise me is how much entrepreneurs differ one from another. Watch this short video from Kauffman -- entrepreneurs talk about what they do and why they do it -- and see if you agree.

They certainly share many things, but, in my judgment, entrepreneurs couldn't be more different from one another. Just one more thing that makes entrepreneurship so compelling.

The Illinois Professional Science Master's embraces the entrepreneurial spirit in its programs, students, and commitment to improvement as it prepares the next generation of science leaders. Graduates should be well-prepared to tackle the entrepreneurial challenges of tomorrow, whether in new start-up firms or in well-established yet innovative organizations.

To learn more about the Illinois PSM, visit us at psm.illinois.edu or email us at PSMdegree@illinois.edu.

Intellectual Capital Manager Talks with Illinois PSM Students

2009-12-15T16:46:00.004-06:00

The Illinois PSM industry seminar series is an opportunity to connect PSM students with industry leaders working at the interface of science and business.

This fall, several industry leaders spent time with Illinois students to share perspectives and insights on current issues facing their companies and industries. Illinois PSM students heard first-hand of the challenges of leading complex science-based organizations.

Karla Melendez is associate project manager in the Office of Technology and Intellectual Property at the University of Chicago. Dr. Melendez shared with students the process -- and the unexpected challenges -- that accompany moving scientific discoveries from the laboratory to the marketplace.

And Dr. Melendez knows quite a bit about the Illinois PSM even before visiting with the students. As an Illinois alumna with a doctorate in neuroscience, Dr. Melendez was part of the team that assessed the feasibility of launching the Illinois PSM program.

Illinois PSM students will also examine intellectual property issues in the Spring 2010 semester in BADM 598, "Managing Technology & Innovation."

For more information about Illinois Professional Science Master's degree programs, visit about the Illinois PSM website at http://psm.illinois.edu/.

Spring Semester Registration

2009-11-19T15:23:00.002-06:00

It's hard to believe, but spring semester is less than two months away. For current Illinois PSM students, most of you have already met with your program advisor and selected courses for spring semester. If you haven't, do that now.

Remember to also register for the four business curriculum courses offered in the spring:

BADM 598 - Managing Technology and Innovation
BADM 597 - Global Strategy
LER 524 - Human Resource Management for Scientists and Engineers
PSM 502 - PSM Seminar II

For additional information, visit the Illinois PSM Current Students webpage.

If you have questions about courses, registration, or anything else about the Illinois PSM, contact Dr. Kevin Sightler at sightler@illinois.edu or (217) 265-5363.

Genecor Leader Discusses Science + Business

2009-10-30T11:00:00.001-05:00

Bob Randle is one of the movers-and-shakers in the bioenergy field. At Genencor, he leads the commercial development of fuel ethanol.

Mr. Randle, a scientist and University of Illinois alumnus, is actively involved in the Illinois' bioenergy efforts and volunteers in several capacities. On October 15, he spent an evening with the Illinois PSM students discussing some of the issues and challenges facing the bioenergy industry.

In addition to discussing the scientific challenges of bioenergy, he engaged PSM students in a discussion of the managerial and leadership challenges of running a successful science-based company.

Genencor is a leading industrial biotechnology company that develops and markets innovative enzymes and bio-based products.

Job Fair Strategies: Making Connections

2009-10-19T08:00:00.000-05:00

Current Illinois PSM students are strongly encouraged to participate early and often in career fairs. "It's never too early to start" has been our mantra since the PSM orientation session in August.

Over the past couple of weeks, the College of ACES Career Fair and the Multicultural Career Fair have offered students prime opportunities to talk to company reps about internship and career opportunities.

Are you earning the best return on your investment in career fairs? Are there tactics to improve your performance at career fairs?

Learn how to work a job fair, including what to prepare and how to present yourself, at the Job Fair Strategies: Making Connections workshop on Monday, October 19th from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. in room 228 of the Natural History Building.

The workshop is co-sponsored by Chemical Sciences Placement Services, Molecular and Cellular Biology, and the Biotechnology Career Services.

Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory

2009-09-16T11:37:00.001-05:00

A new bioenergy facility to help move scientific discovery from the research lab to the marketplace is planned for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Under the auspices of Illinois' Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER) and the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences, the Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory will be a small-scale pilot plant. The facility will allow scientists to "scale up" discoveries made in the research lab to a level approaching that needed for large-scale commercial production of biofuels and chemicals.

The new facility is a prime example of the match between CABER's goal to create new bio-based fuels and their new Professional Science Master's (PSM) program in Bioenergy: both are deeply grounded in science, and both are focused on combining science and business to move science-based discoveries to the marketplace for the good of all humankind.

The Integrated Bioprocessing Research Laboratory will be an important part of educating future leaders of bio-based organizations.

The building site has been selected and architects have designed the facility. Construction funding is the remaining piece to be put in place, but CABER leaders hope to break ground soon.

Additional information about the laboratory is available on CABER's website.

Career Services: Start Now

2009-09-01T14:20:00.016-05:00

Current Illinois PSM students will recall from orientation the sage advice of Jenny Neef, career services coordinator for the College of ACES: it's never too early to start the job search process.

To that end, consider the Engineering Employment Expo on campus on September 14-15, 2009. As of today, over 175 companies are scheduled to participate.

A number of companies may be a good fit for Illinois PSM graduates:

ADM,
Baxter Healthcare,
BP,
General Mills,
Hormel,
Kraft,
Monsanto,
Nestle USA,
Proctor & Gamble,
and others.

Visit the Engineering Employment Expo website for more information and to browse company information.

ACES Career Fair

Also coming soon is the 30th Annual College of ACES Career Fair on Thursday, October 8. Check it out.

How to "Work the Room" at a Career Fair

Are there strategies for maximizing your return on investment in career fairs? Yes, there are! Watch this blog for more information on an upcoming workshop, "How to Work a Job Fair."

Illinois PSM Enrolls Inaugural Cohort

2009-08-27T07:54:00.019-05:00

The University of Illinois has enrolled its first cohort of students in the newly-created Illinois Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program on the Urbana-Champaign campus.

The Illinois PSM offers three degree programs: agricultural production, bioenergy, and food science and human nutrition. Additional degree programs are in development.

The programs combine science with business and are intended for those who want science-based careers with managerial and leadership responsibilities.

Students in the first cohort are mostly from Illinois, but some also came from Arizona, California, Idaho, Spain, and Taiwan.

“We’re very happy to have this group of talented, ambitious, and diverse students in the first class of Illinois PSM students. Expectations are high,” said Kevin Sightler, director of the program.

Students complete three semesters of full-time science and business coursework plus a summer internship. The program is designed to be completed in 16-months.

For additional information, contact the Illinois PSM at (217) 265-5363 or PSMdegree@illinois.edu, or visit them on the web at psm.illinois.edu.

Illinois PSM Orientation

2009-08-17T15:06:00.011-05:00

Orientation for the first Illinois Professional Science Master's cohort -- the Class of 2010 -- is Friday, August 21, 2009.

We've put together an informative morning for you as the kickoff event for our exciting new programs. We'll begin with breakfast at 8:30 a.m. and quickly have you working with your new Illinois PSM colleagues. We have several breakout sessions planned, several guests to talk with you on specialized topics, and a wrap-up social lunch at 12:00 noon. We meet in 426 Mumford Hall (map).

Before Friday's orientation session, you should have completed the "virtual orientation" as detailed on the PSM's "New Student Orientation" webpage. If you haven't, do so as soon as possible so that you can have all administrative matters settled and concentrate on "hitting the ground running" for the first day of classes on Monday, August 24.

We look forward to seeing you on Friday. Should you have questions, contact Kevin Sightler, Illinois PSM director, at sightler@illinois.edu or (217) 333.6715.

Illinois PSM Introduces New Website Features

2009-07-29T17:21:00.015-05:00

We've added new features to the Illinois Professional Science Master's (PSM) website to give you better access to the information and connections you need:

a short summary on the homepage of new and updated information;
a search tool on every page to help you quickly find what you're looking for;
fast access to Illinois students' most frequent web destinations: e-mail access and Compass, Illinois' online course management system [What's that?];
connections to Illinois PSM media and social networks -- Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, YouTube, and our blog; and
an RSS feed to have updates delivered directly to your reader.

Visit the Illinois PSM website to see these new features and options.

We're listening, too. Let us know what other improvements you'd like to see.

New Student Orientation

2009-07-15T17:06:00.016-05:00

Are you ready?

Important information -- and action steps necessary -- for newly admitted PSM students is now available on the PSM website.

Visit the New Student Orientation webpage for complete information. You can also access this from the Current Students webpage.

Questions? Contact Kevin Sightler, Illinois PSM director, at sightler@illinois.edu for more information.

Illinois PSM Business Curriculum

2009-07-13T12:56:00.019-05:00

Earlier this spring, we announced the Illinois PSM business curriculum. This eight-course series provides essential business knowledge and skills that, combined with deep knowledge in science, is the essence of the professional science master's experience.

Since then, we've made a few administrative changes. The courses and content have not changed, but some of the course numbers and names have been modified. These courses, taught by Illinois faculty in the School of Labor and Employment Relations and in the College of Business, are:

LER 512 - People, Technology & Work
ACCY 593 - Accounting Measurement, Reporting & Control
FIN 500 - Introduction to Finance
BADM 598 - Managing Technology & Innovation
BADM 597 - Global Strategy
LER 524 - Human Resource Management for Scientists & Engineers
BADM 596 - Entrepreneurship for Professional Scientists
BADM 595 - Marketing for Professional Scientists

These courses plus the science core, the industry seminar series, and the internship, make up the four integrated curricular components of the Illinois PSM.

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For more information, visit the Illinois PSM website or contact Dr. Kevin Sightler at sightler@illinois.edu.

Taken for Granted: An Alternative to the Ph.D. Track

2009-07-06T09:00:00.018-05:00

Science Careers, from the journal Science and the American Association for the Advancement of Science, has published another article on Professional Science Master's (PSM) degree programs.

"Taken for granted: An alternative to the Ph.D. Track," appears in Science Careers' online career magazine. Science Careers has explored the PSM in several articles, discussing the relative merits of PSM programs and the related career options for those who want something a bit outside of the norm.

Employment experiences of PSM graduates, PSM program costs, and National Science Foundation (NSF) support for PSM programs are explored. The full article is available online.

Reference:
Benderly, B. L. (2009, July 3). Taken for granted: An alternative to the Ph.D. track. Retrieved July 6, 2009, from http://sciencecareers.sciencemag.org/career_magazine/previous_issues/articles/2009_07_03/caredit.a0900083 (10.1126/science.caredit.a0900083).

Entrepreneurs and the Professional Science Master's

2009-06-25T11:42:00.012-05:00

Kevin Sightler
Illinois PSM Director

Entrepreneurs are amazing people. Whether in small-scale ventures or in world-changing giants like Google, entrepreneurs have an infectious passion and drive to change some part -- large or small -- in how people live, work, or learn.

Entrepreneurs create, challenge, and innovate. They are unwilling to simply manage or administer. Their vision and purpose is broad and ultimately benefits society at-large. Entrepreneurs are extraordinarily heterogeneous, however, defying universal descriptions.

As a Professional Science Master's student (or prospective student or alum), I suspect most of you already have an entrepreneurial drive. The Illinois PSM program can help focus your drive and direct your passion for science to do something out of the ordinary -- to create something that impacts lives and makes the world better.

Entrepreneurship for Professional Scientists (BADM 596), taught by Professor Janet Bercovitz, was developed exclusively for students in the Illinois PSM program. The entrepreneurship theme is embedded in the Illinois PSM business curriculum.

There are many other entrepreneurship-related resources and activities available to you at the University of Illinois. I'll share some of them with you in future blog posts. In the meantime, watch this short video in which Laura Hollis, clinical professor of business administration, discuss common myths about entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship.

Program Profile: Food Science and Human Nutrition

2009-06-16T09:05:00.003-05:00

The Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) faculty at Illinois is committed to delivering programs designed to provide a safe, nutritious, and affordable food supply that enhances human health. With world-class research and an internationally recognized faculty, FSHN degree programs have produced some of the world’s leading food scientists and nutritionists.

The Professional Science Master’s (PSM) program prepares graduates for positions of significant responsibility in food, pharmaceutical, and ingredient organizations. The program is designed for those who want a rigorous education in food science and nutrition but do not want to pursue a research-focused career.

The PSM is best suited for those who want to combine food science and nutrition expertise with the knowledge and skills necessary to work on the business side of food organizations.

Description

Flexibility is a hallmark of the PSM program. Each student, in consultation with an advisor, will create a customized set of courses that uniquely match his or her personal interests and individual career goals. A wide range of options is available in biochemistry, sensory evaluation, physiology, nutrition, toxicology, and others.

All students take a common core of courses in food chemistry, food microbiology, nutrition, and food processing.

The business curriculum complements the science core. Courses include technology management, marketing, entrepreneurship, people and technology at work, and more. The cross-disciplinary industry seminar series offers opportunities to interact with industry and government leaders.

PSM students work closely with faculty and other students, including those in the research-based MS and PhD programs. Program-sponsored events provide opportunities to meet people from business, industry, government, and other institutions to learn more about opportunities and challenges in the food science and human nutrition field.

Dr. Nicki Engeseth (profile) is the faculty coordinator for the Food Science and Human Nutrition PSM.

Careers

The pervasiveness of food and allied industries means an ever-changing mix of careers options – some of tomorrow’s biggest opportunities may be in careers that don’t even exist today. Options vary widely from food safety experts, quality control analysts, and food engineers, to product and process developers, technical salespersons, and marketing and advertising specialists.

PSM graduates should be especially attractive candidates for positions with managerial and leadership responsibilities in food, pharmaceutical, and ingredient organizations. With the PSM’s combined preparation in science and business, graduates should have maximum opportunity to craft unique jobs and careers.

The unique internship experience embedded into the Illinois PSM program should provide a competitive advantage to the program’s graduates. Career opportunities span business, industry, not-for-profit, and government organizations.

The ACES Career Services Office specifically serves students and alumni from the College of Agricultural, Consumer and Environmental Sciences (ACES).

Learn More

For degree requirements, curriculum, and admissions information, visit the Food Science and Human Nutrition page on the Illinois PSM website or contact us to discuss your particular situation.

Entrepreneurship and a Bad Economy

2009-06-09T10:37:00.013-05:00

Kevin Sightler
Illinois PSM Director

Several times in this forum I've commented on the difficult economy and job market challenges, especially as they relate to Professional Science Master's students and graduates. The challenges, of course, continue. Unemployment inched upward again in May, reaching 9.4%, making this one of the longest U.S. recessions since World War II.

Yet with every economic and employment challenge comes an opportunity to create. That's what entrepreneurs do. A study released today by the Kauffman Foundation reveals the reciprocal interplay between entrepreneurship and economic recovery -- recession motivates entrepreneurial activity which, in turn, stimulates economic recovery. They found, for example, over half of the 2009 Fortune 500 companies were started during a recession. The same holds for companies on Inc. magazine's list of the fastest growing companies in the U.S.

As an Illinois PSM student, prospective student, or alum, you're already entrepreneurial: The PSM is an entrepreneurial venture. You're doing something out of the ordinary by pursuing a Professional Science Master's degree. The Illinois PSM provides you with the knowledge and tools to develop as an entrepreneur, to do extraordinary things to make a difference in people's lives.

To learn more, the full report, "The Economic Future Just Happened," is available online from the the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation.

Program Profile: Bioenergy

2009-06-05T08:22:00.005-05:00

The world has reached a turning point in energy production. As consumption rises, so does the demand for cleaner, renewable energy. The University of Illinois is rising to the challenge.

The Professional Science Master’s degree program in Bioenergy centers on advanced and innovative methods of energy production. Bridging science with business, the program blends the technology and science of biofuels with the business skills necessary to transfer scientific knowledge to practical application.

CABER – Center for Advanced Bioenergy Research

The Center for Advanced Bioenergy Research (CABER) at Illinois leads the way in bioenergy research and education. Built on Illinois’ expertise in energy and sustainability, CABER is committed to bioenergy R&D and to creating a well-educated scientific-technical workforce in bioenergy and related biosciences.

Careers

As bioenergy technologies grow, so do bioenergy career opportunities. The Illinois PSM in Bioenergy provides excellent preparation for careers in advanced cellulosic ethanol bio-refineries. Careers in the bioenergy lifecycle — from feedstock supply to biofuel transportation and distribution — are also attractive options for Bioenergy graduates. Bioenergy scientists, managers, and engineers with leadership, entrepreneurship, technology management, and other business skills will be well-prepared for positions of significant responsibility.

Specializations

In consultation with a faculty advisory, Bioenergy students select a specialization that best suits their personal and professional interests. Specializations are available in

plants, soils, and feedstocks;
production, processing and use;
environment, economics and policy & law; and
tools and methods.

For degree requirements, curriculum, and admissions information, visit the Bioenergy page on the Illinois PSM website or contact us to discuss your particular situation.

Program Profile: Agricultural Production

2009-05-28T07:36:00.005-05:00

Agribusiness needs people who know and understand the science of agriculture. In many cases, though, science knowledge alone is insufficient. The skills and abilities to transform science knowledge into meaningful products and services are needed, too.

The goal of the MS degree in Agricultural Production is to produce graduates with advanced knowledge in agricultural science and with relevant real-world business knowledge and skills.

Agricultural innovation requires understanding and managing relationships – the connections among laboratory, field, consumer, regulator, investor, and more. The depth of the science curriculum plus the breadth of the business curriculum guide you toward an understanding of these connections. As an Agricultural Production graduate, you can contribute to the full range of activities that take plants or animals from farm to fork.

To help tailor your degree to match your professional goals, three specializations are available:

Crop Production,
Food Animal Production, and
Sustainable Production Systems.

For degree requirements, curriculum, and admissions information, visit the Agricultural Production page on the Illinois PSM website or contact us to discuss your particular situation.

Professional Science Master's Employment Outlook

2009-05-13T08:58:00.025-05:00

Kevin Sightler
Illinois PSM Director

Back in January, I wrote a blog post on the employment outlook for PSM graduates. The news then wasn't all bad -- there were a few bright spots. Small entrepreneurial firms, always the bootstrap engines of economic growth, were faring comparatively well.

We're endlessly barraged with the bad news of large-scale layoffs, home foreclosures, budget deficits, and trade imbalances.

It's human nature to focus, sometimes exclusively, on the negative. "Things can't get any worse," I overheard someone say recently. Oh, really? In 1933, in the depths of The Great Depression, unemployment was a staggering 24.9%. In April 2009, U.S. unemployment was 8.6%.

A New York Times article last week pointed to the seldom-acknowledged counterbalance of job loss: millions of people are being hired. Citing the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 4.8 million people left their jobs in February. The counterbalance: 4.3 million people were hired. Nationwide, there were at least 3 million job openings in February.

What does this mean for PSM graduates? No doubt a difficult job market continues. But consider the comparative advantages you will have with a professional science master's degree:

Your advanced knowledge in science or mathematics puts you far beyond the knowledge level of those with a bachelor's degree only.
Compared to the average MBA holder, your knowledge of science far surpasses theirs.
What about your competition from non-PSM master's degree holders? You know leadership, management, finance, entrepreneurship, tech management, teamwork -- knowledge and skills they may not have until years of on-the-job experience.

You still have the challenge of communicating the value of your PSM degree to prospective employers. Many are unfamilar with the PSM and its advantages -- the Illinois PSM and the National Professional Science Master's Association (NPSMA) are working hard to educate employers of the value PSM graduates can bring to their organizations. Finding the right match with an organization, however, is possible with a well-planned, well-executed strategy.

In my opinion, most PSM graduate will fare relatively well, in good markets and in poor. As always, as a PSM graduate, you must

know what you want,
know what you have to offer, and
effectively communicate both.

To do that,

have a plan,
start early,
be flexible,
be tenacious, and
stay networked.

Earning an Illinois PSM is an excellent way to differentiate yourself in a very crowded, very competitive job market. The unique PSM degree programs in agricultural production, bioenergy, and food science and human nutrition further differentiate your PSM graduate experience.

Can the Illinois PSM guarantee your dream career, salary expectations, and career mobility? Of course not. But it can give you the knowledge, skills, and abilities to leverage yourself, personally and professionally, to whatever goals you choose.

Sources:

Greenhouse, S. (2009, May 5). Bright spot in downturn. New hiring is robust. The New York Times. Retrieved May 13, 2009, from http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/business/economy/06hire.html.

Mataloni, L. (2009, April 29). Gross domestic product: First quarter 2009 (Advance). U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved May 13, 2009, from http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/national/gdp/gdpnewsrelease.htm

Fall Application Period Extended

2009-05-12T08:44:00.005-05:00

Are you considering graduate school for Fall 2009? It's not too late to apply for admission to the Illinois PSM. All three Illinois PSM programs have extended their application periods and are still accepting applications. Although there are no fixed deadlines, there are a few items to keep in mind:

Programs may stop accepting applications at any time and without prior notice.
A late admission means you have a very short period of time to make arrangements for travel, relocation, housing, and finances. This is particularly true if you are an international applicant and have to secure a visa and proof of funding.
You should check the PSM website for the most up-to-date information to ensure that your program of interest is still accepting applications.

Applications are submitted online.

The Illinois PSM offers three M.S. degree programs -- Agricultural Production, Bioenergy, and Food Science and Human Nutrition. Is the PSM a good fit for you? Learn more.

Curriculum Update: Food Science and Human Nutrition

2009-04-14T11:19:00.009-05:00

The science component of the Illinois Professional Science Master's curriculum in Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) has been updated. Details are available on the Illinois PSM website.

Four areas of emphasis are offered, and students are required to take at least one course in each:

Nutrition
Food Processing and Engineering
Food Chemistry
Food Microbiology

Working with faculty advisors, students select the set of courses that best fits their individual interests and career plans.

Biochemistry, statistics, and graduate seminar requirements are also explained.

For further information about all curricular components, visit the Illinois PSM Food Science and Human Nutrition website.

Application Deadline Approaches for Fall 2009 Illinois PSM

2009-04-06T10:33:00.018-05:00

Are you considering graduate school for Fall 2009? It's not too late to apply to the new Professional Science Master's programs at Illinois.

But be aware that one Illinois PSM program -- Bioenergy -- has an application deadline of May 15, 2009.

(Other programs currently do not have fixed application deadlines; however, they may stop accepting applications at any time and without prior notice.)

Applications are submitted online.

The Illinois PSM offers three M.S. degree programs -- Agricultural Production, Bioenergy, and Food Science and Human Nutrition. Is the PSM a good fit for you? Learn more.

Science + Business: Enhancing U.S. Competitiveness through Professional Science Master’s Programs

2009-03-27T12:12:00.015-05:00

An article in today’s Science magazine again highlights the national call for well-educated scientists with business acumen.

Noted scientist Rita Colwell, author of the article, states “the capacity to innovate depends not only on scientific discovery but also on the ability to translate new knowledge into products and services. This is where PSM graduates can have a major impact.”

Colwell believes PSM graduates are exceptionally well-prepared to meet the workplace challenges of tomorrow. She says, “those who follow the PSM path will likely find employers -- whose work-force needs are evolving -- eagerly awaiting them, our study found.”

PSM programs and their graduates have the potential to not only fill immediate and emerging workplace needs, but to also enhance U.S. competitiveness in science. Colwell adds, “In these jobs for which they are so well qualified, PSM graduates will benefit both individual employers and our nation's ability to compete in the global marketplace.”

The Illinois PSM, with its expanding portfolio of Professional Science Master’s programs, delivers unique programs in agricultural production, bioenergy, and food science and human nutrition.

Rita Colwell is former director of the National Science Foundation and recipient of the National Medal of Science. She recently chaired the National Research Council committee that wrote "Science Professionals: Master's Education for a Competitive World," a report strongly endorsing the development of professional science master’s programs.

Reference: "Graduate Education: Professional Science Master's Programs Merit Wider Support" (Science, 27 March 2009: Vol. 323. no. 5922, pp. 1676 – 1677; DOI: 10.1126/science.1171209; http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/short/323/5922/1676).

Of PSM Interest: Bioenergy Seminars at Illinois in March

2009-02-25T09:06:00.039-06:00

The Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER) at the University of Illinois presents four bioenergy seminars in March.

Seminars are free, open to the public, and are in the Monsanto Room (lower level) in the ACES Library. As the dates approach, we'll Tweet reminders.

CABER is a partner in the Illinois Professional Science Master's (PSM), delivering the new PSM M.S. degree in bioenergy starting in Fall 2009.

The Global Warming Impact of Corn Ethanol Production - March 2. Steffen Mueller, principal research economist, Energy Resources Center at the University of llinois at Chicago

Venture Financing of Early Stage BioEnergy Companies - What is the State of the Market? - March 9. James J. Greenberger, partner at Reed Smith LLP

Wind Energy Trends in Illinois - March 16. Kevin Borgia, executive director, Wind for Illinois

Integrated Management of Reactive Nitrogen - March 30. Thomas Theis, director, Institute for Environmental Science and Policy at the University of Illinois at Chicago

We'll post the April and May events here, too, in a few weeks.

Food Science and Human Nutrition PSM at Illinois

2009-02-16T13:37:00.019-06:00

Mission: To implement education, research and outreach programs designed to provide a safe, nutritious, and affordable food supply that enhances human health.

Yes, that’s a tall order. But it’s the mission of the Food Science and Human Nutrition (FSHN) program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. FSHN has a long history at Illinois and a reputation as one of the leading programs of its kind. With successful masters and doctoral programs already in place, why did FSHN decide to add the Professional Science Master’s (PSM) to its portfolio of degrees?

We posed this question and others to Dr. Kelly Tappenden: nutritionist, gastrointestinal physiologist, and professor in the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition. Dr. Tappenden is also associate dean of the Graduate College and spearheaded the development of the Illinois PSM.

What was the motivation for creating the FSHN PSM program?

“We saw the PSM as a unique vehicle for serving the needs of industry. While our focus has been on research, the PSM will allow us to serve an additional segment of the market. The PSM will produce students with a unique combination of science and business.”

For what type of career do you expect FSHN PSM graduates to be prepared?

“Graduates should be well-prepared for a wide variety of careers. There are many possibilities depending on the graduates’ individual interests and expertise. In general, PSM graduates should be prepared for positions in the food supplement, medical, and hospitality industries, just to name a few.”

What do you see as the biggest opportunities for advancements in the fields of food science and human nutrition?

“There is tremendous potential for new developments in pharmaceuticals. In food science, there’s always a demand for developing tasty, convenient, and nutritional foods. In human nutrition, understanding the physiological and metabolic basis for health effects associated with consuming specific nutrients provides the rationale driving the nutraceutical industry while improving human health."

To learn more, visit:

Illinois PSM - http://psm.illinois.edu/
Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition - http://fshn.illinois.edu/
Dr. Tappenden’s bio - http://fshn.illinois.edu/people/kelly_tappenden
Tappenden Lab - http://tappenden-lab.fshn.uiuc.edu/

Employment Outlook: How will Professional Science Master’s Graduates Fare?

2009-01-23T14:36:00.035-06:00

Kevin Sightler
Illinois PSM Director

A tough job market is upon us and many indicators suggest it will be here for awhile.

Just this week, Microsoft announced its first large-scale layoff in company history, trimming its global workforce by 5.5% between now and mid-2010. Diversified bellwether General Electric announced today a 44% decline in quarterly profits and warned that 2009 would be a very difficult year.

President Obama has promised an economic stimulus plan to Congress within the next month.

Yet even the most optimistic ruefully admit that a significant economic and job turnaround is not imminent.

But the news isn’t all bad. In fact, there’s a lot of good news in the job market. With patience, tenacity, and preparation, there are nuggets of opportunity to be found. Despite pending layoffs, Microsoft is still hiring in large numbers in high-demand areas. Cisco Systems, Genentech, Ernst & Young, and other large companies are still hiring.

More good news comes from Phil Gardner, director of the Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University. Despite weaker prospects overall, about half of the companies he surveyed indicated they will maintain or increase hiring over last year’s levels. The smallest companies anticipate a slight increase in hiring.

A bright spot—particularly for Professional Science Master’s (PSM) graduates—is that the smallest companies anticipate a 20% increase in master’s degree hires next year. Compare that to the largest large companies who anticipate a 20% decrease in MBA hires in 2009.

Internships—in another bit of good news for PSM students—are expected to hold steady or increase next year according to Gardner’s survey. Companies are taking advantage of internships as a cost-effective way to recruit new employees.

So what should you do as a PSM student to maximize prospects for securing the internship and job of your choice? Know what you have to offer, know what you want, be able to communicate that, have a plan, start early, be flexible, be tenacious, and stay networked. In addition to the large, well-know companies in your field, take a hard look at opportunities in smaller companies. Engines of economic growth even in recessionary times, smaller entrepreneurial companies are often able to respond quickly to changes in their environments in ways larger companies sometimes can't (or won't).

Being in a PSM program clearly differentiates you from much of the competition. Not only do you have advanced knowledge in your field of study, you know the business side of science-based endeavors, too. Understanding the entrepreneurial process, interpreting a balance sheet, managing projects, and leading people – all addressed in the Illinois PSM curriculum – allow you to create value in ways that perhaps few others can. But you must also have a well-developed and executed plan to communicate your value to prospective employers.

The Daily Illini, the student-run newspaper at Illinois, published an article this week with sage advice on managing your job (and internship) search. It’s also a good introduction to the career services resources available at Illinois to help you. Check out the article and the resources – and go back to them frequently.

There are, of course, no guarantees. But there are many things you can do to maximize your chances of landing the internship and job of your choice. Earning an Illinois PSM is an excellent way to create a competitive advantage. In today’s job market, every advantage counts.

Sources:
Microsoft Slashes Jobs as Sales Fall (New York Times), http://tinyurl.com/bz6cfq. GE profit down 44 percent, CEO stands by dividend (Reuters), http://tinyurl.com/agtz2d. They’re hiring! (CNNMoney), http://tinyurl.com/chsq6v. Dr. Phil Gardner, Director, Collegiate Employment Research Institute at Michigan State University; December 17, 2008, Webinar, http://www.ceri.msu.edu. Making sense of the job market during tough times (Daily Illini), http://tinyurl.com/bugpt9.

Of PSM Interest: Wind farm turbulence effects on crop production

2009-01-14T11:42:00.009-06:00

The Illinois PSM program in Agricultural Production offers three areas of specialization: crop production, food animal production, and sustainable production systems. Here’s an item of interest for those in this area: managing the unintended consequences of wind farms on crop production.

University of Illinois professor Somnath Baidya Roy is searching for solutions to harmful effects on crop production from wind farms. Wind turbines can be big – very big – reaching the equivalent of a 60-story building in height with rotor blades over 300 feet long.

Because turbines are often located in or near agriculture fields, there are unintended consequences on crop production. Wind turbulence increases ground temperatures and dries the soil.

Read more about the problem and Professor Baidya Roya’s research on effectively addressing this dilemma in alternative energy production.

Of PSM Interest: Biomass Production

2009-01-09T10:45:00.012-06:00

From time to time, we'll provide information on this blog about research and activities of particular relevance to Illinois PSM programs.

For those in the Agricultural Production and Bioenergy programs, here's an item of interest. Illinois researchers are hard at work examining the multiple impacts of biomass production on water use, soil quality, and nutrition requirements. Read what Professor Greg McIsaac and colleagues discovered in their on-going research on perennial grass production.

For more information on energy and crop-related research at Illinois, visit the University of Illinois's Center for Advanced BioEnergy Research (CABER).

Up next: The effects of wind farm turbulence on crop production.

National Professional Science Master’s Association

2008-12-15T13:33:00.022-06:00

Interest and enthusiasm in the PSM is growing. Supporters of PSM programs – including the Council of Graduate Schools, The National Academies, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, and many faculty members and administrators – recognized the need for a national organization to address PSM-related needs. The result: The National Professional Science Master’s Association, or NPSMA.

What can NPSMA do for me?

As an NPSMA member, you have access to networking, professional development, and mentoring opportunities through the NPSMA Alumni Network. The NPSMA advocates for all members with prospective employers and policy makers. And they are hard at work promoting PSM graduates' value-added to businesses, governments, and not-for-profits.

As a student, your first-year membership is provided free of charge and gives you immediate access to all NPSMA resources. You can join as a student and continue your membership as an alumnus.

Annual Meeting

PSM students, alumni, faculty members, and program directors gathered in Atlanta in November, 2008, for the first NPSMA meeting. Alumni shared their experiences and assessed their comparative career advantages as a result of having earned PSM degrees. Program directors shared best practices and addressed the challenges of creating new programs. A unity of mission emerged to build the PSM “brand.”

Questions?

If you have questions about the NPSMA or suggestions for member services, let us know (PSMdegree@illinois.edu).

Illinois PSM Learning Partners

2008-11-18T11:52:00.020-06:00

Outstanding faculty. Cutting edge PSM curricula. A large, supportive alumni network. You probably already know these things about the University of Illinois. From the Illinois website, you can learn much more about our people, programs, and resources. All of which support your learning and growth as a graduate student.

Here are some of the partners and resources that help support the Illinois Professional Science Master’s:

Career Services
A network of career services support students’ preparation for work life after graduation and for internships. The Career Services Network is a good starting place to learn what’s available to you. Most Colleges within the University and many departments have career services dedicated exclusively to their students.

College of ACES
The first three Illinois PSM programs are all part of the College of Agricultural, Consumer, and Environmental Sciences (ACES). Founded in 1867, the College ranks in the top 15 research organizations in its disciplines.

College of Business
The Illinois PSM’s business curriculum is delivered jointly by the College of Business and the School of Labor and Employment Relations. The College of Business is well-regarded across the globe for its leading graduate and undergraduate programs and faculty.

Library
Did you know the University of Illinois Library is the largest public university research library in the United States? Innovative and constantly changing, the campus-wide network of libraries holds over ten million volumes and over 22 million items in a wide variety of media.

School of Labor and Employment Relations
Faculty in the School of Labor and Employment Relations deliver the Illinois PSM’s business content in human resources and in the social/technical interface between science and business. Check out the discussions on their Sociotechnical Systems Program blog to see the unique perspective they bring to the Illinois PSM.

Student Organizations
There are over 800 student organizations at Illinois to support your personal and professional interests. Network with other students and professionals who share your passion for science and enthusiasm for business.

We’ll profile more learning partners in the future.